HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0027.047 2000-2002 Mary Marvin Porter
Island Eyes Video
HCR 1, Box 5505
Kea'au, Hi. 96746
Chairman James Arakaki ~ Council Members,
' RECEIVlD'M~~
lime_-------~~ ~By - -
TESTIMONY • " -
County Council
I am opposed to the rezoning of agricultural land at the Kea'au
By-pass for the proposed Shipman Gateway Center.
1. It is only 5 minutes outside Hilo, and not a significant
distance in terms of saving residents in outlying areas on driving
time.
2. The proposed stores are more of the same kind of stores
xe have in Kea'au except for a proposed drugstore. People are
generaly enthusiatic for a new shopping experience, But we are an
island of limited resources, land base, agricultural soils, etc.
We can't afford to just keep adding large new concrete shopping
centers every few years.
3.In regards to the issue of "much needed new jobs," the
economic benefit studies aren't looking at the whole picture.
Generaly new retail fobs mean lost fobs elsewhere when other
stores are put out of business. Was there an estimate of jobs
that would be lost? Also in that estimate claim of jobs gained,
how many were temporary construction fobs?
4. What will be the effect on Hilo as well as Kea'au?
What about the large empty building in Hilo and in our shopping
centers. What about the social instability of people worrying
if their business is the next to "go under."
5. Is the by-pass a real by-pass or a fancy 4 lane drive
for Shipman Incorporation's enterprises and planned development of
Kea'au to become larger than Hilo. With all the existing realestate
lots in Puna, with a potential development that could
S result in enormous growth in Puna, we need to keep the by-pass a
N by-pass.
~ 5. With the occasional "monsoon" type rains we get, what
N ~ W is being done to prevent the run-off from these large new develop-
~ ments from creating more flood situation.
d
Td. F°+ A 6. Finally, with all the new schools in the Kea'au area we
o w ~ need places for young people, parks with picnic table, walks, bandstand,
~ ~ ~ etc. Also mom and pop stores of the "soda fountain" type, etc.