2012-02-02 Windward Transcript Galan

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As presented within the application, the “old plantation” design of this project is meant to enhance the “old fashioned” charm of Pahoa. And Ms. Hunt’s letter, dated October 19, 2011, which was full of accusations and nothing but negativity regarding the Galan’s application, I realized that she “cc’d” Councilman Blass. So, to follow up as a courtesy, I sent him a long response to clarify the intentions of the application. Please note that the letter dated January 24, 2012, Mayor Kenoi was “cc’d” as well. I will follow up with a letter in response to the Mayor. All other issues and concerns of the various agencies have been answered and addressed. There have been numerous letters of support from the community. And the application has received a “favorable recommendation” from the Planning Director.” I would have, would like to have a dated copy of the letter when Pahoa Mainstreet Association made the invitation to the Galans to make the “presentation”. I would certainly like a copy of the letter where I “wrote back personally to decline” the invitation. No such response was ever made. It is reprehensible for a “community leader” to be so unscrupulous as to submit statements and comments to the Planning Department and Planning Commission in hopes of negatively swaying any application. Thank you, as always, for your profession standards and acceptance of our, assistance with the applications. Then I have a little bit more to say. Again, thank you for your patience for all of this. It’s so long in the works that there’s a lot to say. I would like to thank the Commission for helping us today by providing the quorum. But before we go further I would like to thank the Planning Department for their continued professionalism and assistance. This project has been gone over so thoroughly, and not only by planners in the Planning Department but other agencies, State Department of Health. There are no concerns brought forth by any agency that couldn’t have been answered with a simple response. As mentioned, the proposed zoning has received a recommendation, a favorable recommendation from the Planning Director. The Galans have been actively seeking funding for the proposed project. And other than the worrisome delays the funding is not going to be a problem. They see this project as an opportunity to create an important hub in the community, as well as consider this a part of their future retirement plan. There has been ongoing opposition to the proposed project and requested rezoning, basically from the same entities and individuals. However, it is important to note that there have been more enthusiastic letters of support than opposition. With every rezoning typically there is a list of conditions that must be agreed upon and met within a prescribed amount of time. As this is not the only rezoning on Pahoa Village Road, the list of conditions has also been assigned to the other parcels. While the Galans are willing to agree to the conditions of their rezoning, they are requesting that the conditions be consistent with the previous agreements on the nearby parcels. 4 EXHIBIT B