2024-07-15 Jacqueline Wright - Laserfiche WebLink

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From: Jacqueline Wright To: LPCtestimony Subject: Jacqueline Wright Testimony-LPC July 18,2024 Meeting,Agenda Items#3&#4 Date: Monday,July 15,2024 3:26:37 PM Aloha, I am a 30 year resident of Waimea. Samuel Whitehead's emailed testimony to you is spot on, so I repeat it as follows. 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 Thus, is inconsistent with the 2005 General Plan. A prime example of spot zoning and urban sprawl 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 this area. Likewise, it would degrade prime agricultural land and the "rural,ranching character" of Waimea. 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. 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. NOT in compliance with the Hawaii County General Plan (2005) The proposed 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. 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.