HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0051.009 2020-2022 PPC 1
bill II
coMM.91
Written Testimony in Support of Palamanui LLC
and Proposed Amended Project District Ordinance 09-.132
George Paleudis
Facilities Manager, HCC Palamanui
73-4255 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.
Kailua- Kona, HI 96740 — Vic)
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Aloha Members of the County Council Committee on Planning,
..4„,
I would like to offer the following testimony in support of Palamanui LLC and the proposed 92
Amended Project District Ordinance 09-132 that will allow: "-
1. Palamanui LLC to proceed with a phased development
2. Palamanui LLC to build a 10-acre park (comprised of a baseball field, soccer field, dog
park and public restrooms) and convey the remaining 10 acres to the County
of Hawaii for future development at its discretion.
3. Palamanui LLC to defer construction and bonding of the proposed connector road to
Mamalahoa Hwy.... although I feel strongly that the 900 residential unit threshold
should be negotiated to trigger the entitlement requirement sooner.
I believe my support of Palamanui LLC's request is justified for the following reasons:
1. Palamanui LLC has been a supportive presence in Kailua- Kona for over 10 years,
having invested considerable financial resources to community infrastructure. As
a community, we need to stand in support of those that support us. Hawaii Community
College, Palamanui Campus is extremely grateful for Palamanui LLC's continual support
and commitment to higher education in West Hawaii over the past ten years. Some of
their contributions include:
a) $5.3 million contribution toward the construction of the HCC Palamanui
Campus.
b) $4.4 million investment to complete Ane Keohokalole Hwy from Kaiminani
Drive
c) $11.55 million investment to construct a water distribution system to support
both Palamanui LLC development interests and the HCC Palamanui Campus.
d)' $400,000 investment to deliver utilities to the HCC Palamanui Campus.
e) Land designation and funding to support the conservation and restoration of
the Palamanui Trail and associated 74-acre dryland forest reserve.
2. Without the continued community support of Palamanui LLC and implementation
of their development plan, HCC Palamanui will lack the municipal infrastructure to
realize its long term potential. Our campus currently lacks food service, housing (both
short and long term), shopping, and public space for exercise and recreation. Our long
range plan relies on Palamanui LLC to provide these services as a function of their
development initiatives. Without their participation in "building a community around the
college", it will be somewhere between difficult and impossible for HCC Palamanui to
ever provide the missing components of our long range model.... and in following, limit
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Ref. Date FEB - 2 2021
our ability to grow and foster the kind of community support that's an integral component
of our organization's mission.
Please feel free to contact me via phone or email with any questions or concerns
surrounding my testimony.
Respectfully Submitted,
George Paleudis