2014-11-06 Hearing Transcript-Scott Watson SMA 450 _Reconsideration_

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CAHILL A: Thank you. MIYASATO: Mr. Reipurth? REIPURTH: My name is Bo Reipurth. Does this work [referring to the microphone]? HATA-FINLEY: Yes. REIPURTH: Okay, my name is Bo Reipurth, and I live at Lali Street up on the Hāmākua Coast, and I’d like to support the amendment of SMA 450, rule 11, to allow the public access realignment. The Planning Department has promised to the public that the community would have access to the shoreline, and the Planning Department agrees that the new access is much superior to the old one that is unusable. The new access has been used by the public for the past two years, and I myself used it. I must say that it is beautifully done with a large public parking lot made on Scott Watson’s own property. The new public access is maintained and kept nicer than many of the County parks, and I may add, at the expense of Scott Watson himself. I’m a neighbor to Scott Watson. I have come to know him over the years. He’s a dynamic and very hard working man. Through the labor of his hands, he’s creating jobs and wealth for Hawai‛i. Taxes on the property is currently $200 per year. Once the new development will be finished, the County will get a lot more money in increased property taxes. It is through hard work of people like Scott Watson that our island will prosper. I’m not trying to say that there have not been any issues in this whole process. I recognize that, but they all have been resolved in the agreement that have been worked out between the Planning Department and Scott Watson. All that is now needed to move forward is the approval of the Commissioners. In short, in my view, the realignment is a win-win for everybody involved. MIYASATO: Thank you. Commissioners, any questions? Thank you. Could I have Betty Barlow and Nathan Buell come forward? Could you both please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter now before the Hawai‛i County Planning Commission? BARLOW: I do. BUELL: Yes sir. MIYASATO: Ms. Barlow, you may go first. Please state your name and residence. BARLOW: Betty Barlow, address is 21-3182 Beach Road, Pepe‛ekeō Point, and I just want to add my two cents worth to support the approval of this. We’ve been waiting for years, and even though I live in the development on the ocean front, I often go down to Scott’s lot because it’s like sitting on a mattress, that special grass he put in. So easily accessed. I rarely come home or leave the development that there isn’t at least one to five cars outside the gate availing themselves of that beauty—tourists, locals, everyone. And I’d just like to add my two cents that 4 EXHIBIT C