HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0896.224 2022-2024From: Elizabeth Dunn
Sent: Sunday, November 17.2O245:44PK4
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Oppose Bill 169, Kona Three LLC
Aloha County Council:
I'm back back before you again restating why I'm opposed to the 10 year time extension for Kona 3, LLC.
Torecap, this time extension has been opposed hvvarious appointed County Commissions,
Committees and Districts, and area residents:
County ofHaxvai'iLeeward Planning Cornrnb3On
County ofHawaii Cultural Resources Commission
County ofHavvai'iKona Community Development Plan Action Committee �~
County of Hawai'i Public Access, Open Space, & Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PON,,CJ
Kona Soil and Water Conservation District (funded bythe County ofHavvai'iR&D Department)
N5A|a He|e Havv8i'iTr8i| and Access Program /DOFAVV, OLNR\ c�
I continue to oppose the time extension for these reasons:
Known Environmental Issues
*The local infrastructure systems (roads, wastewater, schools, medical facilities) are not prepared tuabsorb
these 45Ounits and the 750 multi -family units that have already been approved in the immediate area. If
these 1,200 units come on line at the same time, this infrastructure will be overwhelmed.
• There is no concurrency with this project which is required by the KCDP, putting additional strains on infrastructure.
• There will be an impact on the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is already violating the Clean Water Actby
dumping effluent into nearshoremarine waters.
* This development is in a floodplain. The placement of the lowest -income households is at the bottom of the
property, and there is no mitigation for those living makai of the proposed development. Where isthe
environmental justice for the existing and future residents with any time extension? There isn't.
* This area is in a HECO shut off area.
* Kona continues to receive notices to reduce water usage and warnings of drought. How will more units make
this situation better? It won't. | hope the proposed "One Water" approach proposed inthe draft General Plan
may help with getting more usage out of water, but that's years away as a solution, and a long term
commitment from all users of water and the Water Department.
Closing Statement
The few who've spoken in support of the time extension are those who will profit from it. The immediate area
and homeowners will not benefit from this time extension, nor will those who travel through the Lako
5tnaet/Kuakini Highway intersection. Comm
1 Ref. To.
Ref. Dute
There has been no clarity about the number of affordable units to be provided at the site, and if the required
affordable housing units from the 1984approva| and the State Land Use Commission are still in effect. Has
Corporation Counsel been able tocome toadetermination Onthis issue?
If there are 8,000 affordable housing units in the pipeline as outgoing Mayor Roth stated in his campaign ads,
then the selling point for this time extension is meaningless. It's too late to revise the proposal now after 6
years, multiple meetings with the homeowners in the Kona Vista Subdivision, and two years in the public
hearing process. Forty years istoo long for aproject to|anguish,onasitevvithiDDnnanysiteonnstraints,vvith
unsettled and unclear issues onwhere and how affordable housing would becreated, and significant
neighborhood opposition.
1. Approve the ten year time extension; and
2. Postpone this hearing to attow continued negotiations with the Director of Finance for the "possible"
acquisition of land by PONC. This feeLs Like a bait and switch and soLety meant to get the time extension
before a Council. with new members. Let's have a decision with this CounciL and conclude the discussion
now.
MehaiOfor your time.
Eiiz@bethOUOn