2024-07-14 Edith Kawai WHCC - Laserfiche WebLink

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PO Box 6305 Kamuela, HI 96743 A Non-Profit Organization EIN 46-2207539 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 #3 & #4 Aloha Kakou, The Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club was established in 1949 and chartered by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in 1959. Our members hale from Paniolo and Hawaiian Homesteader stock who have carried forward Hawaiian traditions and values of our Kupuna. On behalf of our members and their'ohana —all of whom are residents of Waimea, we ask 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 #3 & #4, Applicant: Kaupulehu Land LLC) for the following reasons: This 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 roads.