2012-02-02 Windward Transcript Galan

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KERN: Can I get the applicant and their representative to come forward and/or. Good morning. MIKKELSON: Good morning. KERN: And whoever will be speaking I’ll just get you raise your right hand this morning. Do you swear to tell the truth today before the Windward Planning Commission? MIKKELSON: I do. KERN: Okay. And you’re the applicant so you may begin, or representative. MIKKELSON: Okay. My name is Lori Mikkelson. I represent the Galans on this project. My office is located here in Hilo on Kilauea Avenue. I did submit to you guys a letter that -. I received a letter from the Pahoa Mainstreet, Mainstreet Pahoa Association on Friday. It was late in the day. I didn’t have time to get a letter back out so I’m going to incorporate the letter into my testimony this morning. To Whom It May Concern: This is in regards and response to a letter from Mainstreet Pahoa Association, dated January 24, 2012. The second paragraph of the letter: We asked the Galans to come to a Mainstreet Pahoa Association board meeting to give us a presentation on their proposed Pahoa Boutiques and Bungalows, and their planning consultant wrote us back personally to decline our invitation.” To date, neither the Galans nor All Aina Services, or myself, have ever received such an invitation. As my client’s representative, I ALWAYS do my best to respond to the concerns and requests of the community. I have responded to all of the letters from Mainstreet Pahoa Association, as well as Ms. Hunt’s personal letters, that have been provided as testimony to the Planning Department. I have always included not only a response to the community, but copied the Planning Department as well. After reviewing the letter from Pahoa Mainstreet Association, dated October 10, 2011 in which among other things it was requested that “the Planning Commission table the matter until the Galans had made a presentation to the Pahoa Mainstreet Association,” that statement was followed by, “We also seek a delay to allow Pahoa Mainstreet Association time to prepare legislation to establish an Old Pahoa Design District.” This statement could hardly be considered an invitation. Our response, dated October 18, 2011, regarding Pahoa Mainstreet Associations concerns: “Any suggestions that Mainstreet Pahoa Association may have would be appreciated. However, as there are no covenants or restrictions as to the design or development along Pahoa Village Road, it seems unnecessary to delay this application. A delay would also be a hardship to the applicants who have invested money and time into the proposed development to satisfy the requirements of the rezoning process, looking forward to the future and completing their plans. 3 EXHIBIT B