HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0096.003 2002-2004
Jan 21 03 11:57a Stone and Kish 503 233 3653 p.l
DAVID O. K1S13
75-360 ALOHA KONA DR.
' KAILUA-KONA, HI %740 ~ U ' ~ = ; i 1 ~
808-327-1199
kishd(J,earthlink.net r-,
January 21, 2003
Council Member
Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd
Chav, Planning Committee
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni St., #209
Hilo, HI 96720
RE: Zone Change Application REZ 02-017
Dear Council Member Leithead-Todd:
1 am writing to you about a Kailua-Kona zone change request that was heard before the Planning
Commission on December 5, 2002. The property is owned by the Welton family. It is request
REZ 02-017 and I understand it is to be heard by your Planning Comnttee on January 22.
I testified at the December 5 Planning Commission meeting and I have three concerns, all of
which, I believe, are shared by neighbors in the area.
1. Zone changes seem to be made with little or no regazd for proper infrastrttcttue planning.
Each person who testified at the December 5 Planning Commission hearing stated their
concerns about growing traffic problems in Kona. While one developnrent alone will not
make a huge difference, collectively they do when infrastructure is not planned accordingly.
Our roads aze clogged. According to an article in West Hawaii Today, over the lest 25 years
(1976 - 2001) population in West Hawaii has tripled from 18,100 to 56,301. The number of
registered vehicles has almost tripled from 57,121 to 132,305. But improved roads Dave
increased by only 30 miles or 1.2 miles per yeaz over that same period.
This developmern will add only about 17 homes. But that is at least 34 more vehicles and
over 100 trips per day at the intersection of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Nani Kailua
Road.
Recent new developments in the azea including Loew's Home Improvement Center, Puu
La~~i Estates and Hualalai Village will add thousands of trips per day on Queen Kaahumanu
Highway. This situation will choke traffic on the road and make access and egress into the
neighborhoods offNani Kailua Road very difficuh.
While roads are a major issue, we should also be concerned about water and sanitary waste
planning.
Comm. Na 1
File No. Z
ReP. To Presedlm~
Re4. bate
Jan 21 03 11:57a Stone and Kish 503 233 3653 p.2
2. Information on the public process for these decisions is very difficuk to get. Neighbors in
the area were notified by the developer's representative, Mooers Enterprises, of the
December 5 planning Commission meeting. No official notification was Deceived regarding
the January 22, 2003 Planning Committee meeting, and information about the specific
project is difficuh to obtain. For example, I was told utlofficially by Planning Department
staffthat site work would not begin for flour to six months after the December 5 Plamling
COmmiaclOn rr~etl[1g if the zone change was finally approved. However, substantial grading
and site development began in late December and now a large rock crusher is on site
essetltially turning the property into a gravel yard.
A permit has been issued by the County Engineer to store up to 17,000 cubic yards of fill on
site, material that is being cleated by the rock crusher. While this may slot technically be site
work, the effect on the neighborhood is the salve - tloise, dirt and construction traffic we
thought would not start for some time. This is not acceptable.
This frustrates citizens in the area and makes tbem feel their input is not wanted by the
county. .
While good public process takes some time, it is not an expense. It is an im+estmera that
leads to better decision-making and confidence in our elected officials.
3. No process seems to exist for ongoing dialogue with the neighborhood about unresolved
issues. There were questions about imerconnections between the new developmerRS north of
Kona Heights, questions about whether or not Melilina Street should be planned to go further
mirth or end as a cul-de-sac proposed by the developer, and questions about access to these
developments from Queen Kllahtllnanu Highway. We understand the county snakes these
decisions. But they should be made in consultation with the people they impact.
Most people at the Planning Commission were twt opposed to this small development. That land
is inside the azea slated for growth and it should be developed as housing for growing Kana.
But if our quality of life is to remain high, our public officials are going to have to Gsten more to
the concerns of the tax paying citizens of our community. If we can't afford the infrastructure to
accommodate growth, then growth should be slowed until proper planning, financing and
construction of infrastructure can take place.
If that's not done, Kona won't be pazadise anymore.
Sincerely,
avid O. Kish
Cc: Peter Young
Curtis Tyler
Mayor Harry Kim
2