HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0806.003 2020-2022 Pi PG
COMM, 80(0
From: Megan Lamson
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2022 12:26 PM
o ("],
To: Council Testimony
_ C7
Cc: Villegas, Rebecca; Kierkiewicz, Ashley -a ��„_
Subject: Comments on Leeward and Windward Planning Commission - for Planning Ca mittee
Meeting5/31 @ 9am
g
Aloha Chair Kierkiewicz and Vice Chair Villegas and members of the Planning Committee, ..
While I don't have anyparticular concerns (or kudos)to offer about Comm. 805and the nomination of
John Cross to the Windward Planning Commission. (As we have only met on a handful of occasions and
we don't have enough history for me to form a proper position of support or opposition to help your
decision.) However, I am aware that he has worked for many years for the Ed Olson Trust and previously
with C. Brewer, and has plenty of land/water/ farm management experience in Kali,working to repair
the ditch systems up mauka of the Kali Coffee Mill to help agriculture and support the watershed by
removing invasive plants. Yet as I understand, so does the current Kali district representative, Louis
Danieli III,who is (or was?) also employed by Ed Olson at some point in the recent past.
I would however like to recommend that moving forward, the COH Planning Committee really thoroughly
evaluates each new windward/leeward planning commission appointment with respect to the overall
diversity of the current commissions. I understand these are voluntary positions and I applaud any
resident for stepping up to represent their district for various commissions. That said, these commissions
carry some weight and power over what happens to this island, especially when it comes to planning and
development (and respecting the recommendations like coastal setbacks as put forward with each
communities CDP) and protecting natural resources for our island residents, flora, and fauna into the
future.
It seems to me that over the past year during the Roth administration (and under Zendo Kern's leadership
as the Planning Dept chair), more environmentally and culturally-minded individuals like John Replogle
and Mark Van Pernis are being replaced by commissioners who are more pro-development and pro-
business focused. I think for a voluntary board that meets monthly and helps to provide feedback to this
Planning Committee (and County Council) and the County's Planning Department-it is critically
important to have a diversity of opinions /backgrounds to be sure that all aspects of planning issues are
being represented. I understand there is a diversity of area coverage for each commission, in that there are
reps from each district and"at large" representatives,but it seems to me that there should likewise be a
concerted effort to appoint individuals that represent different industries /perspectives, including but not
limited to the following:
- construction/ development
- service /tourism
- cultural practitioners / resource management
- natural resource managers / conservation/ environment
- social services (education/ mental health/homeless services, etc.)
So with that, I ask you each to consider this particular nomination. Is John Cross (and every future
proposed windward/leeward planning commission nomination) the right person for this job to be sure
that the WINDWARD Planning Commision represents a diverse perspective for all planning proposals,
zoning changes, variance applications, etc. for East Hawai'i? $O 47.
Comm. No.,
Ref.To: PPL
1 Ref. Date MAY 3 1 2022
Mahalo for your time and consideration of this testimony as I will be unable to attend in person tomorrow.
Best,
Megan
<"))))<< <*))))<< <"))))<< >>(((*> <"))))<<
Megan R.Lamson Leatherman,M.S.
&MEHANA CONSULTING
mehana.consulting0ginail.coin
http://mehanaconsulting.weebly.com
Post Office Box 1127
KEALAKEKUA,HI 96750
c: 808/217-5777
2