2024-07-14 Wayne Luzon - Laserfiche WebLink

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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, would only increase the property taxes for residents of the area. Our members, many of whom are kupuna retirees and others who have families, cannot handle the burden of inflated property taxes without having to work more than one job or who have their families stuffed into a single family home in order to share the cost of living in their ancestral lands. The development is NOT in compliance with the Hawai'i County General Plan (2005). The project fails to protect significant Agriculture lands by rezoning them and fails to preserve the rural, ranching character of Waimea as stipulated in the General Plan. Likewise, this proposed project is NOT consistent with the General Plan goals and policies that pertain to Agriculture and commercial development. This speculation project has failed to demonstrate the need for additional retail space in Waimea with many existing vacant retail properties in Waimea. Waimea is Hawaii Island's Breadbasket. The proposed lands, if developed, would forever erase these prime agricultural lands from Waimea's inventory. There is nothing that can replace it and the result would be to shackle our residents more deeply to imports which disasters and COVID have proven time and again is not sustainable. The development is NOT consistent with the South Kohala CDP (2008). This proposed project fails to meet the guidelines and policies set forth for the Waimea Town as stipulated in the South Kohala CDP. Instead, this project would remove prime agricultural lands and push unsightly commercial development further east of the Waimea Town center. PLEASE follow the plans that are already in place for Waimea. They provide a studied, cautionary, long-term view of development.' In conclusion, on behalf of our members, I ask that this Commission consider all testimony previously submitted on this proposal. Me ka mahalo iho no, Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club,President i With the strong exception of roundabouts.