HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0027.003 2000-2002 P.O. Box 565
Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760
23 January 2001
Ms. Bobby-Jean Leithead-Todd, Chairperson
Hawaii County Council -Planning Committee
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai i 96720
Re: Ordinance Bill Amending section 25-8-22 -Article 8 -Chapter 25 of the Hawaii County Code
by changing the district classifrcation from Agriculture to Industrial-Commercial Mixed Use at
Kea'au, Puna, Hawni'i covered by tax map key 1-6-03: Portion of 007.
Applicant W.H Shipman, Ltd
I)eaz Chairperson Leithead-Todd and Members of the Planning Committee:
Aloha! Mahalo for the opportunity to comment on the W.H. Shipman Ltd. proposal requesting Industrial-
Commercial Mixed district classification. I urge this body to de~+ the proposal.
Urban expansion is inappropriate at the proposed site for numerous reasons:
a) Kea'au presently has two gasoline stations, a mini mart, a supermarket, a fast food restaurant, aad
a hardware store -Commercial businesses which W.H. Shipman desires to replicate in its proposed
`Gateway Center'.
b) W.H. Shipman is in the process of developing a major subdivision next to the proposed
Gateway Center' -The existing `green belt' targeted by the proposed shopping center
and parking lot wdl detract from this greenery.
c) The proposed construction of a parlm~g lot for the proposed `Gateway Center' to abut the existing
tennis courts and jogging path is unsuitable.
d) Our visitor industry is dependent on characteristics which are unique to the island of Hawai i.
Urban sprawl and more shopping centers are not qualities, which tourists come here for.
Additional rationale for denying the W.H. Shipman Ltd. Request to rezone prime agricuhure lead is that many
motorists will be held hostage as extension of the Keaau Bypass into afoot-way stop is not only ludicrous but
dangerous.
Mahalo, Planning Committee Members, for considering the long-term affects that the rezoning of this
agricuhure land will have on the future of Puna. In addition, your consideration to the existing businesses in
Kea'au and HiloA'fvill be adversely effected by the megrtitude of your decision, therefore please vote "No".
Sincerely witf~~
~~,n. No. Z7.3
Bonme Bator 8t ' bane
P'Ile No.
Ref, To:
I!iet, v.~ JAN 2 ~ ga~.