HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0027.040 2000-2002 Gerrie Morisky-Ross - 966-7887
HCR 3, Box 10072, Keaau 96749
Taxpayer: 15-1936 First Street, HPP
--r Recewee~'~~
Dear Chairman James Arakaki and County Council Members: sy
This is my written testimony OPPOSING THE GATEWAY SHOPPING CEfVR1E4~~~~~
AS CURRENTLY PLANNED - Respectfully submitted for County Council
Hearing on 2/22/01, 9:OOam, GATEWAY SHOPPING CENTER, Bill 195.
1. I strongly oppose the current site propaeal: The location -even with
multipk access routes - defeat the VERY PURPOSE of our Iona-overdue
and ezpensfve Keaau-By-Pees: It creates traffic congestion EXACTLY where
we don't want it -returning hone from a hard day at work
2. To duplicate and further bypass e~tisting businesses already in trouble
continues "politics as usual:" Undaened eapamion of urban-aubnrban
bli¢ht, based on short-sighted economics & "bottom line" needs of developers,
disregarding the genuine needs of the community & true economic impact.
3. Our island economy depends on tourist dollars. Tourists and residents
alike want to ezperknce our irreplaceable natural BEAUTY, EXPANSIVE
GREEN SPACES, ALOHA and CULTURE. I ask this plan to include this.
4. More unsightly shopping malls and congestion replace this beauty with the
very ugliness residents and vacationers want to leave behind. I ask that plans
for Gateway include requirements for more expanded, enhanced landscaping.
5. A maior issue never addressed is the irreplaceable value of our remaining
rich soil agricultural lands. V we ire to feed our future population, whether
Mahon arrives or not, we need to be self-sufficient. I ask that the Gateway
proposal, and all future propaeals, first inventory and protect these lands.
6. This almost "done-deal" proposal, as always, is not part of a Isreer
community-based and approved plan that adequately addreaees the current
apd future needs of either rapidly growing Puna or all Big Island resident.
7. I ask that we s~upend the Gateway and "politics as usual" decisions on all
i significant impact projects -made behind yesterday's claeed doors under old
° ~ agendas -AND eztend the closing date of the County Plan.
cv 8. I respectfully ask that we find and implement more respopeive,, effective
d mechanisms for community based plannipg. and quality time to develop these
z z o m plans: We'll have to We with "Oahu~tvk" copseauences if we don't.
F O@
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