2024-07-14 Edith Kawai - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

EDITH KAWAI 65-1234 Puu Opelu Road Kamuela, HI 96743 July 14, 2024 Leeward Planning Commission County of Hawaii 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. E Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Testimony - LPC July 18, 2024,Meeting,Agenda Items 43 & 44 Aloha, As a resident of Waimea whose 'ohana dates back into the 1800's, I'm asking the Leeward Planning Commission to NOT approve Kaupulehu Land LLC's applications for State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to Rural and Change of Zone from an Agricultural-5 acre to Neighborhood Commercial and Residential Agricultural (Agenda Items 93 & 94, Applicant: Kaupulehu Land LLC) for the following reasons: Project is solely for speculation purposes and is, therefore, inconsistent with the 2005 General Plan. It is a prime example of spot zoning and urban sprawl that Waimea is unable to support. The proposed commercial development is excessively huge with a 3-building, 2-story complex and is NOT compatible with this part of Waimea. The scale and size of this proposed commercial development is too large, similar to a `strip mall' and NOT compatible for or in the character of this area. Likewise, it would degrade prime agricultural land and the "rural, ranching character" of Waimea. The development would adversely increase traffic congestion near this area. Also, this project would severely impact the traffic and create further congestion in this particular area on Mamalahoa Highway which is already difficult to navigate as the highway starts to narrow near here when driving west into Waimea Town. The level of traffic is in near constant overwhelm throughout the town which should raise cautionary thinking for ambulance and police access in light of the fact that Waimea has no bypass road. The development, if approved, would adversely increase property taxes for residents in this area. This proposed residential development, which is being built for the high-end market and not for the affordable range and would only increase the property taxes for residents of the area. My taxes, and the property I own is long-time family land, have more than doubled in property taxes in the space of ONE YEAR.