2024-10-29 Malia Mares Testimony Renegade

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In the application the applicant states that a monopine would be infeasible because the weight of the branches would make it difficult to engineer for wind loads. However other monopine towers the same height have been built here on the island, including one on Kawailanai St in Hilo in a more exposed location. Nuisance noise: The proposed tower site is located in a very rural and natural part of lower Puna. Levels of nuisance noise are currently very low in the area with low levels of traffic, construction or industrial noise. The existing comparative silence would make the constant noise levels from the electronics and AC units even more noticeable, thus interfering with the property owners’ right to quiet enjoyment of their properties. The emergency diesel generators would be quite loud from the surrounding properties, and in addition to running for regular maintenance, would go on anytime there is an interruption in power, whatever time of the day or night. Although telecommunications towers are an allowed use on Ag zoned areas, the levels of noise with two or more diesel generators at any hour and the constant noise the equipment would produce is not consistent with general character of the community and surrounding properties. If the use permit for the tower were to be approved the impacts from noise should be mitigated by installing a sound wall around the equipment, preferably combined with an outer earthen berm with both opening toward the highway with exhaust pipes also facing the highway. Regular maintenance should be performed during working hours on non-holiday weekdays to reduce the noise impact on the adjacent properties. Safety and Security – Fire suppression: With the proposed diesel generators comes an increased risk of fire which would threaten all of the adjacent properties and surrounding state lands. Currently there do not appear to be County water lines onto this property or any other obvious means of putting out a fire. If the use permit for the tower were to be approved the threat of fire should be mitigated, preferably by connecting to the county water lines and installing a spigot with a firehose bib, or installing and maintaining water tanks with firehose bibs of sufficient capacity to extinguish a fire. Additionally the area around the equipment should be regularly maintained and kept clear of weeds, grasses and other combustible materials. Safety and Security – Secure access: Because the proposed tower would be visible from Highway 130 and surrounds it would likely attract attention from individuals looking for a remote place to dump trash, cars etc or other criminal activity. Although the plans show that the entrance would be gated, gates can be broken or inadvertently left open allowing unauthorized access, especially to unoccupied properties. The proposed project site parcel shares a property line with a portion of Ho’onone Road where an existing 4’ hog wire fence, erected by a previous owner, is now in a state of disrepair. Because the parcel was cleared along the southern edge with Ho’onone Road it would be possible to drive onto the road from the parcel at several locations undermining property owners’ security. If the use permit for the tower were to be approved the increased security threat to the adjacent properties should be mitigated be replacing the fence along the southern edge of the proposed project site where it meets Ho’onone Road to prevent vehicular access. A contact information for technicians with rapid response capability should be provided to all adjacent property owners to notify in case of an emergency. Mahalo for allowing me to present my comments.