2024-11-15 James Y. Agena Testimony-GP 2045

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Planning Director November 12, 2019 Page 3 The Urban section (Section 5 - Land Use Planning) of the Draft General Plan establishes objectives, policies, and action plans related to urban areas. According to the Draft General Plan, the main objective is to "[i]ncrease residential density within Urban areas to an average density of 10 units per acre and increase the mixed use development pattern" with the goal being to "[p]rovide adequate access for multi -family residential projects to arterial streets, shopping facilities, schools, employment centers, and other services." See Draft General Plan at 122. The master -planned Kaloko Residential Park would significantly advance the aforementioned objectives, goals, and policies. First, the Kaloko Residential Park would address the need for urban areas with a higher density in the North Kona area. The North Kona area is appropriately seeing urban infill development and proposals, consistent with the 2008 Kona Community Development Plan and the 2010 draft Kona Village Design Guidelines. Kaloko Residential Park is strategically located at the intersections of the major regional lateral traffic corridors of Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway and Ane Keohokalole Highway, and the mauka-makai collector road of Hina Lani Street, between the town of Kailua-Kona and the Kona International Airport. This rapidly developing area in the northern portion of the North Kona District and proximate to the Kona International Airport at Keahole is proposed to become the residential, commercial and industrial heart of West Hawai`i. The area has a long-standing and growing residential base and will continue to be the focus of residential and related development as the Island's population grows. Second, the Kaloko Residential Park would provide much needed employment opportunities and recreational facilities to North Kona. In other words, the Kaloko Residential Park is precisely the type of area that should be designated as "Medium Density Urban" rather than "Low Density Urban" and "Conservation" on the FLUM. LUPAG The 2005 General Plan designation for the Kaloko Residential Park Area is "Urban Expansion" on the LUPAG map. See Exhibit 2.4 The Urban Expansion Area "allows for a mix of high density, medium density, low density, industrial, industrial -commercial and/or open designations in areas where new settlements may be desirable, but where the specific settlement pattern and mix of uses have not yet been determined. " Based on the aforementioned, the "Medium Density Urban" designation for the entire Kaloko Residential Park Area (with the exception of the proposed Conservation designation for the area of the Dryland Forest within a portion of Parcel 28) is consistent with prior determinations by the Planning Director in the 2005 General Plan. *** Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 935-6644. Thank you for your attention to this matter. 4 The 150 -acre Native Dryland Forest on Parcel 28 is designated "Conservation." This area is proposed to be designated "Conservation" on the FLUM and Kaloko is intending to preserve this area as a Native Dryland Forest.