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still be preserved on the lower part of the property. V. Chr. Crivello continued by stating that it is apparent that the community is in support of the preservation of the property and that PONC may be an appropriate venue for acquiring the property for the protection of open space; however, the community does not seem to be in support of the intent to develop a parking lot, and the preservation of the spring is paramount over parking. She then asked the nominator if she would be open to the conversation of preservation rather than developing a parking lot. Ms.Taube said "Yes, absolutely." V. Chr. Crivello then asked if the landowner is open to allowing a site visit with community members and others who may be invested in the longevity of the space and its protection so that they can have further engagement with everyone present. Ms. Taube replied, "Yes,yes, yes." Cmr. Ward then addressed the nominator by expressing concern that if the land was purchased with the intention of building a parking lot, it could complicate future decisions about maintenance funding and community use if the parking lot is not ultimately constructed. She then asked the nominator if she would consider taking the emphasis of a parking lot off the purchase of the property. Ms. Taube said they would consider doing that. Cmr. Chang asked Ms. Taube if she was the one who applied for the SMA permit for the parking lot,to which Ms.Taube replied that she was. Cmr. Chang then asked why it was not pursued. Ms.Taube said the SMA permit was done in 2007, and the community in Kona was not ready to pay for parking at the time, and now, in 2025,they still are not ready to pay for parking. Vice Chr. Rosam was next to ask the nominator questions. She asked Ms.Taube where the spring is located on the property. Ms. Taube said the spring is on the lower part of the property. Cmr. Chang spoke again and asked if there is any trace of the spring. Ms. Taube said she isn't sure. Cmr. Markoff asked whether her intent of the proposed parking lot would be free or paid. Ms. Taube responded that she had assumed it would be free when presenting it to the County. She added that she does not intend to pursue development on the property but noted receiving significant interest from parties looking to develop a boutique hotel, which could be built up to six stories and obstruct ocean views. V. Chr. Crivello asked the nominator if she nominated the property to prevent a potential buyer from developing it into a boutique hotel. Ms. Taube said they have had a lot of interest from developers and people interested in hotels specifically, but they have not followed through with those interests because they knew there was a lot of community Draft 1 -Minutes of March 10, 2025 Page 5