2010-08-09 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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Mr. Flores thanked Mr. Sensenig for coming and providing more information. PRESENTATION BY A REPRESENTATIVE FOR `O`OMA II BEACHSIDE VILLAGE, LLC ON THE PROPOSAL FOR LANDS IN NORTH KONA, ISLAND OF HAWAII, TMK: (3) 7 -3- 09 (Mr. Peter Young, a consultant for the `O `oma project, presented a power point presentation to the Commission and provided multiple hand -outs for their information). He stressed to the Commission that they have no intention to sell and no intention to enter into negotiations with the County. The plan is that 75 acres of land along the shoreline with a 1,100 -1,700 foot setback will be preserved in open space at no cost to the County or taxpayers. The property is zoned in the Conservation District, General Subzone and the objective of this subzone is to designate open space where specific conservation uses may not be defined, but where urban use would be premature. This open space will provide for an Interconnected Public Shoreline Park which will include parking, public pavilion and restrooms at no cost to the County. In addition, these lands will be included in the Coastal Regional Open Space from Kailua to Kekaha Kai State Park. Further, the 10 -foot wide Mamalahoa Trail will have a 50 -foot buffer and a 60 -foot construction setback on each side and they plan to make improvements to the trail. The `O`oma Beachside Village proposal is completely different from prior proposals, as there is no comparison despite prior failed efforts for other proposals. They are proposing a residential village with no hotel that will not be gated. This is the type of project that everyone should embrace regardless of whether your pro - development or anti - development. Local residents can get into an oceanfront project at market prices and at the same time the public can continue to use the open space that they're used to. This project has support from the National Park Service (NPS), County Planning Director, Mrs. Leithead -Todd, former Mayor Harry Kim and conforms to the Kona Community Development Plan. He understands that there are three suggestion forms submitted to the Commission by the public. He emphasized that no one asked them if the properties were available for sale and they should take that into consideration along with the timeliness of the submittals. Ms. Self asked Mr. Young for clarification of what they want. Mr. Young replied that `O`oma should not be on the prioritized list since this project is satisfying what the County wants at no cost. Mr. Van Bergen asked if the 75 acres of open space will be dedicated to the County. Mr. Young replied that they have not gotten to that level yet, however; they're open to discussion. Mr. Flores thanked Mr. Young for his presentation and information provided to the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Commissioner Gilmartin moved for the approval of the minutes of June 21, 2010. Seconded by Commissioner Markovich; all members voted aye, motion carried. -3-