HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.060 2020-2022 From: Tlaloc Tokuda
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2021 2:51 PM
To: Chung, Aaron; David, Maile; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kimball, Heather,-
Lee
eather;Lee Loy, Sue; Inaba, Holeka; Richards, Tim; Villegas, Rebecca; Council Testimony
Subject: Oppose appointment of Zendo Kern as Planning Director Jan 5
Aloha Councilmembers,and Mayor,Jan 3,2021
Although Zendo Kern deserves credit for his successful business and his contributions to the community as a volunteer,he does not appear to be the right choice for
Planning Director.
1 -He does not have the qualifications required by the County Charter,section 6-7.2,quoted below:
The planning director shall have had a minimum of five years of training and experience in a responsible planning position, or a degree in
planning, engineering, architecture,geography, or another planning-related field and three years of experience in a responsible planning
position. No less than three years of experience shall have been in an administrative capacity.
He appears to have no training or experience in planning as defined by oxford Language:
"Planning"is defined as"the control of urban development by a local government authority,from which a license must be obtained to build a new property or
change an existing one."
Google/Oxford Languagesl law definition
He does not appear to have any college degree.
He also appears to have no administrative experience in a government position—only in a business.
2-Mr. Kern would be hampered in fulfilling the duties of Planning Director,since he would need to recuse himself from a number of projects that he worked on through his
business.
3-Mr. Kern donated$2.700 to Mitch Roth's campaign.This may pass muster with the Ethics Board,but casts a cloud over his appointment.
4—Mr.Kern has done consultation for projects that raised serious concerns. For example:
• Royal Kona Village,which has recently sparked community concerns about traffic,school capacity,water needs,and archaeological sites.
• The Hickey request for an after-the-fact permit to host weddings on agricultural land,in September 2020.The Planning Department did not support the proposal
because of concerns about noise and light pollution;safety with visitor,staff,and truck traffic;inappropriate use of agricultural land;and nonconformance with
the General Plan and Kona Community Development Plan.
• Fairview in Kona,which proposed a 40-room lodge on agricultural land in August 2020.A dozen testifiers opposed the project.The Planning Department did not
support the proposal because of concerns about noise;safety with visitor,staff,and truck traffic;invasive species;lack of water and wastewater infrastructure;
and inappropriate use of agricultural land.
Mr Kern's tie to the development and commercial sector would put him at odds with his duties(incorporating environmental,sustainable,community development plans
and social issues/perspectives into the planning process.
Please do not support Mr.Kern's nomination. If the council approves Mr Kern's nomination they would not be following the County Charter's employment criteria(as above
section 6-7.2).
Mahalo,
Tlaloc Tokuda
Kailua Kona,HI 96740
Comm. 0:1
Ref. To: 1UV
1 Ref. Dote JEAN 5 202