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LAND' * <br /> PLANNING 194 wiwo`ole St. Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> (808) 333-3393 <br /> H AWA I I LLC <br /> info@landplanninghawaii.com <br /> May 8, 2025 <br /> Leeward Planning Commission <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Dean Au, Chair <br /> 101 Pauahi Street, Ste 3 <br /> Hilo, HI 63420 <br /> Subject: Response to Public Testimony and Comments <br /> RE: Special Management Area Use Permit(PL-SMA 2025-000072) <br /> To Construct a Four(4) Story,Thirty-Four(34) Unit Condominium Building <br /> with Pool, Shoreline Access, and Related Improvements <br /> Applicant: BOAZ LLC <br /> Location: Kailua-Kona,North Kona,Hawaii,TMK: (3) 7-5-020:021 <br /> Dear Chair Au, <br /> Upon publication of the SMA permit application for BOAZ LLC, public testimonies and <br /> comments have been received regarding concerns with the proposed development. The following <br /> letter aims to address concerns expressed by community members. <br /> Building Height <br /> Residents have expressed concern with the size of the development, primarily relating to <br /> the proposed height of the building. While four stories are proposed, the building height <br /> remains under the 45-foot limit under the Hawaii County Zoning Code. Several other <br /> developments of comparable height exist in the surrounding area. In order to stay <br /> consistent with County goals to increase housing availability and to preserve natural <br /> resources, it is most appropriate to build taller structures in areas where they are already <br /> part of the existing infrastructure instead of in more rural areas. <br /> Traffic <br /> Increased traffic impacts were among the main concerns raised by community members. <br /> As the project will be located along a heavily used road that is sometimes affected by <br /> traffic delays, several mitigating measures will be implemented to reduce possible <br /> impacts. The proposed project would be required to improve traffic conditions on Ali`i <br /> Drive through compliance with Conditions 7 & 9 of the previously approved SMA Use <br /> Permit 437, providing for a turn lane offAli`i Drive and future road widening and <br /> frontage improvements. An updated Traffic Impact Analysis Report in November 2024 <br /> concluded that the affected intersections are projected to continue to operate acceptably <br /> under Full Build conditions. With the proposed mitigations, the project will not have a <br /> significant impact on the existing conditions along Ali`i Drive. <br />