HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0898.149 2020-2022 pi/ Council
bill 191(
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From: Tlaloc Tokuda
Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2023 11:49 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Council please over-ride Bill 194
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Bill 194 is a very important bill which gives oversight to the Council instead of Planning Director! 7.31 =a`_
Aloha members of Hawai'i County Council, .
Councilman Holeka Inaba's bill is a VERY GOOD Bill. Please vote in favor of overriding Mayor-Roth's
Veto in support of Bill 194. The repercussions it seeks to address remain significant to our island. The
Council may have seen similar testimony in support of this Bill. I have read the entire testimony and it
resonates with me.
The need for this bill was created'because many of our residents°noted expired rezoning applications
being granted as extensions without due process, especially in the Special Management Areas, where
contested case hearings and mishandled procedures stopped development for cause in the first
place. Planning director Kern has unleashed new rounds of highly controversial developments all along
Ali'i Drive, many'of which the Police Chief helped to stop due to significant public safety issues. For
example, tsunami evacuation concerns were at the top of this list after several failed attempts to
mobilize residents and visitors to evacuate the area were experienced.
Therefore, this bill remains a strong need, and I urge your further consideration and support.
It is essential that we increase transparency for future development around our island. It is empowering
when our residents submit testimony with backyard knowledge, especially when conditions appear not
to have been met in good faith. For example, when the time agreed upon within the original rezoning
ordinance application expires. To allow applicants to come back with a two-step process via a simple
resolution, without revisiting contemporary conditions (such as threats from climate change, special
management areas & archeological surveys) is a cheap trick on the public interest.
After three draft revisions, Bill 194 still remains faithfulto its intentions for enhanced transparency and
opportunities to address current impact concerns. It also allows for contested case hearings, as well as
appropriate reviews, and rectifications, before extending or granting new rezoning applications.
Thus far, the Mayor's veto has demonstrated an unwise and undemocratic impulse. Our island is at an
inflection point. Should we allow our planning department to extend expired rezoning
applications without contemporary review opportunities?
If so, residents and lineal descendants of these lands, who have been involved in litigations in the
past, will be effectively silenced. As a result, we will be watching our backyards being'bulldozed all the
more quickly!
I remain in strong support of Bill 194.
Please continue to exert your leadership capabilities. Thank you!
Tlaloc Tokuda ,
11
Kailua Kona HI 96740 Comm. o.c_ �3 "Cq
1 Ref. To: PIL
Ref. Date .P Y 1�
9 2023