HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.024 2020-2022 pp� t r �
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From: CINDY EVANS
Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2022 2:28 PM ,r
To: Council Testimony
Subject: RE: Bill 112 and Bill 115 Rezone
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Hearing February 8
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Dear Councilmembers:
Regarding rezoning for land owned by Waikoloa Land Company, here are my thoughts on this issue.
The area to be developed is part of a master plan for the Waikoloa resort"node", a common name for this area between the
highway and the beach. I believe it is important to note how many people inhabit this area on a given night. Now Maybe
between 10,000 and 15,000 including residents, non-residents, and employees. The proposal is going to add a lot of people in a
place where people live, play and work. Will this get the population up to 20,000 per night when tourist season is at its peak?
Status quo is not sufficient for population growth. A cultural center is nice, but are they donating it to the County for
programming, operations, and maintenance? Personally, I think it should go to the County and expand it to include, at a
minimum, 6 acres to build a park. A playground for children and a walking path for disabled and elderly will encourage outdoor
play. The beach is not for everyone. With a community of this size, it is important to get people out and active. Also, this could
help balance the demand for outdoor recreation and provide more outdoor space knowing the beaches are gong to be
packed. This reminds me to ask for an upgrade to the beach restrooms. A good example of smart growth is Hilo. Next to the
hotels is a beautiful park and gardens for walking/biking.
Also, please require more walking/biking paths throughout the resort node creating a walkable community throughout the resort
node with walking/biking paths linked throughout the resort node (at least a requirement into any future buildout would go along
with the goal of walkable communities).
Workforce rental housing raises lots of questions. To qualify must you work within 5 mile of the rental property location? And,
can you require rental rates 50% below local rental rates. If 3 or 4 workers have to live in the rental housing unit in order to live
where they work, there is a problem. Are you aware 3 bedroom 2 bath homes are renting above $4000 per month in
Waikoloa?
I suggest increasing the number of workforce rental housing. But, even more importantly is the future and how you can
permanently keep it in workforce rental housing. My experience is the Council approves a project and then 5-10 years from now
after all the planning, engineering, and construction documents are drawn up and bid out, there will be a revisit of the project
when the developer claims they cannot afford the requirements by the County. Looked what has happened at Palamanui. Most
likely the Planning Director will agree to a phased project. If you can, it would be nice to require certain items in the first Phase
that get you workforce rental housing.
Please understand, I support the idea of growing the timeshares and rezone, but am certain there will be huge impacts to the
infrastructure, i.e., roads, lighting at night, noise, beach, county and state parks, will be deeply felt. I saw the plans by
Department of Transportation some 20+years ago for Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway and they were drawn for a four lane divided
highway. Your decision is the next step towards a four lane highway from Kona to Kawaihae. I encourage you to build in parks
and bike/walking trails that will give the coastal communities and the nearby Waikoloa community smart growth and contribute,to
a healthy lifestyle. Keep the resort node beautiful by requiring trees on the road and parking lots. Gives shade to walkers/bikers
too. It gets very hot in the summer.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my remarks.
Regards,
Cindy Evans Comm. NO.
rZefo To: RP(--J -_
Ref. mate
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