2026-06-10 Gary Rosenberg Appeal of Decision by Planning Director 17023016.pdf

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To: The Planning Commission Appeals Board Re: Appeal of decision to grant a development variance for TMK: (3) 1-7-023:016 (PL-SUB-2025-000357) subdivision of 9.43 acre lot into 6 residential lots at the intersection of South Road and and North AI'a in Puna, Hawaii From: Gary Rosenberg et.al. , residents of South Road, Middle Road and North AI'a Petitioners party to this appeal: Gary Rosenberg, 17-4722 South Road Malcom Saxby, 17-4373 South Road Matt Kleinfelder, 17-4453 South Road Ron Takeuchi, 17-4389 South Road Trevor Saxby, 17-4370 South Road Jorge Ayala, 17-277 North Ala Road Sky Stressman & Kristen Franzen, 17-4437 South Road Rosemarie Saxby, 17-4430 South Road Gilbert & Tracey Aguinaldo, 17-4405 South Road Jason Moramisato 17-313 North Ala Road Shannon Bianchi & Aaron Woolman, 17-684 Mana'Olana (Middle Road) Pebbles & Richard Valdez, 17-4590 South Road Ernest & Holly Keli, 17-4590 A South Road Reed & Ellen Oda, 17-4423 South Road Micheal Allison, 17-4580 South Road Summary The partitioners to this appeal, all of whom live in the area directly served by North Ala road contend that the director erred in his decision to grant a variance regarding non -conforming access to the proposed development. This appeal outlines the increased safety risks that would result should the proposed development be allowed to proceed without the necessity of bringing the current one -lane, non -conforming road into compliance with County standards for residential subdivisions North Ala serves as the only paved access to over 20 residential lots, a major nursery which employs 450 people, and 5 independent livestock producers. Current traffic levels already pose as safety hazard. The only alternative access to the area is associated with a blind intersection where Momona Road feeds into Huina Road directly below a series of blind curves. North AI'a is a 10ft wide, a single lane paved road which for 1/3 mile serves as the only paved access for the agricultural communities along South and Middle Roads. This area has been farmed and pastureland for decades. Residents raise cattle, horses, sheep, goats and other livestock throughout this area and livestock trailers must navigate North Ala regularly. Current traffic levels the road presents an ongoing challenge to neighbors in navigating two-way traffic. Giving way to oncoming traffic inevitably involves pulling onto a potentially soft shoulder and getting stuck. North AI'a also hosts foot traffic and bicycle traffic on occasion including small