2007-07-09 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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Ms. Hecht once again stressed how important it would be to consider the transfer of development rights along with the right of adverse possession for trails. Ms. Springer noted that once a list is submitted there should be some way for the Commission to track the status of the properties, especially in this case for the Puapua`a property, and then questioned the issue of when does a property get removed from the list, whether it be upon Mayor's approval, Council approval through a resolution or does it keep getting processed if the property is still in jeopardy. Ms. Self then clarified that for Puapua`a, the initial resolution passed by the Council was only for preservation purposes; however the second resolution passed was for acquisition. Mr. Campbell stressed that the implementation of a management plan through working with local groups would be helpful in the leverage of funds and the possibility of looking at alternative ways to preserve lands besides acquisition. Ms. Hecht then highlighted that park conservancy could be a good option, whereas landowners could donate conservation easements for tax reductions, and the County could offer a funding source to hold these funds. BOB HUNTER Mr. Bob Hunter, a resident of Waimea spoke in support of Communication Nos. 07 -048- 07 -050. He summarized to the Commission that in regards to the Waimea District Park project (07 -050), the current management of Parker Ranch is anxious to give approximately 30 acres of park lands to the County. A non - profit organization has already been formed for this project and the County Department of Parks and Recreation (COH P &R) have allocated 750,000 into this year's budget for master planning and park design. Mr. Hunter is asking the Commission to write a recommendation letter to the Mayor to release the funds for the Waimea District Park project. Mr. Hunter then spoke in regards to the Waimea Trails & Greenways project (07 -049), which he described as a greenway with a trail that runs along the Waikoloa Stream through Waimea. He mentioned that eight years ago, COH P &R hired a consultant to design the first increment which was a one mile trail from Lindsey Bridge to the east end of Sandalwood of which preliminary plans have been produced. COH P &R have already put a 2 million dollar line item in the capital budget for construction of this project and a request for funds to the State Transportation Improvement Program has been submitted. Mr. Hunter then asked the Commission to write a recommendation letter to the Mayor to release the funds for the Waimea Trails & Greenways proj ect. Mr. Hunter then spoke in support of the Waimea Pu`u project (07 -048), which are lands owned by DLNR that the community has been trying to get for over 30 years to downzone from Ag -1 acre parcels into a zoning which would prevent development. DLNR has provided written approval to proceed with the change of zone request. The Waimea Community Planning Development Committee along with the Waimea Community Association is currently trying to establish public access and historic preservation as part of a readiness program for this project. Mr. Hunter did note that this is a coordinated volunteer project and is thereby asking the Commission to recommend to the Hawaii County Council to pass Bill 4114 and "tweak it" so that the zoning would not allow for the parcel to be developed. -7-