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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0438.017 2002-2004 Ruth E. (Lee) Robinson 75-5776 Waiola Place Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 327-1002 January 11, 2004 ~ FFa 7 ~'~l 1 fl 1 6 ',i I County of Hawaii, Council Planning Committee C _ ~ Re: Applicant Nani Kona Aina SLU 03-007/REZ 03-018 Dear Councilpersons: Following is my input for your consideration regarding the above-referenced application for change of zoning. I am a property owner of TMK #7-5-029-041 which is I=~cared immediately adjacent to the south of the applicant's property. By letter dated October 3 1, 2003, I submitted written comment to the Planning Commission for the November 7, 2003 hearing held in Kona. Said letter is attached hereto for your ready reference (without attachments). For the reasons stated therein, I respectfully request that this Committee recommend aa~,ainst granting this application for re-zoning, or in the alternative, reduce the density of the re-zoning to no more than RS-20. I hope that the council will seriously take into consideration that, following the November 7, 2003 hearing held in Kailua-Kona, the Planning Commission voted 5-2 aeainst recommending this application for rezoning. 1 direct the counsel to statements made by Greg Mooers, representative for the applicant, at the November 7, 2003 hearing before the Planning Commission: "The water system in this area is inadequate...In order for this project to occur, there will be substantial, substantial improvements required to provide water. This project cannot foot the bill on its own." (pg 7 of the transcript) (Emphasis a~ added) °J ...presently the water system is inadequate to support this project." (page 44 of E ~`fhe transcript) cc = `This developer is trying to work with adjoining property owners to reach a m i tcritical mass of development that wil) allow the implementation of roadway ~ C.)Dimprovements in addition to the water improvements [f they can't, then the o ~-'project just strangles because this project can't support the water system ti improvements on its own, can't support the roadway system on its own_..(page 45 of transcript) (Emphasis added) Lamm ~ 43g M Ref. To: , 1 Ref. Uate ?~~i This proposed request for re-zoning has sparked a large degree of neighborhood and community opposition, in part as to the seemingly uncontrolled development north of the existing subdivisions along Nani Kailua Drive. Yet Mr. Mooers suggests even greater development: "to reach critical mass of development" in this area. As noted above, Mr. Mooers stated at the November 7, 2003 hearing that the applicant is unable to correct the inadequacies of the current infrastructure, including water and roadway system. Therefore, l respectfully request that this Committee recommend aeainst approval of this application for re-zoning as being premature. Respectfully submitted, ~~v Ruth E. Robinson October 31, ?_003 Planning Commission C/o Planning Department Aupuni Center, Suite 3 101 Pauahi Street ° Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Applicant: Nari Kona Aina, LLC (SLU 03-007/REZ 03-018) TMK 7-5-10 :66 Special Public Meeting and Hearing Ncvember 7, 2003 at 9:00 am Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort On my own behalf, as an owner of property immediately adjacent to the subject parcel, I respectfully submit the following comments for your consideration respecting the above referenced request of change of zone for 14.533 acres from A-5a to RS-10. 1. Incremental Re-Zoning The subject parcel is at the top portion of TMK 7-5-1C-52 (aoprox g 5 acres}, 7 10-65 (approx 36.31 acres} and 7-5-10-66 (approx. 5 acres), which were consolidated and subdivided into 91ots of not less than 5 acres each. This consoAdzted subdivision is an approx. 50-acre strip of land north of Kealoha and Kona Heights subdivisions from Queen K. Highway on the west (makai) end to Hienaloli-Kahului Road on the East (mauka) end. This request for re-zoning for a new subdivision is the 3`d request for re-zoning of parcels 15 acres or less in the 50- acre strip. The 1~` request for re-zoning that was approved was for the Gomes Family Limited Partnership for change of zone from A-5a to RS-20 for a proposed subdivision north of Kealoha and Kona Heights subdivisions fer 15 homes on approx. 9.746 acres on a portion of TMK 7-5-10-65, which is at the lower portion of the 50 acre strip and borders Queen K. Hwy (hereinafter the Gomes subdivision). The 2"d request for re-zoning that was approved was for the Weltons for a change of zone from A-5a to RS-20 for a proposed subdivision of 15 homes on approx 10 acres near the middle of the 50 acre strip (TMK 7-5-10: Portions of 52 & 65} (hereinafter the Welton subdivision). The current application is for a request for re-zoning from A-5a #o RS-10 for a 42-10! subdivision on approx. 14.55 acres at the top of the 50-acre strip. (See attached 'vicinity maps' for the 3 developments.) It appears the 50-acre strip is being developed in incremental strips of less than 15 acres to bypass the State Land Use Commission. A September 10, 2003 Memorandum from the Department of Public Works, County of Hawaii, states at page 3 thereof: "2. Although the application itself does not warrant a traffic study, we are concerned this incremental re-zoning, especially as it affects the intersection of Nani Kailua Drive with Queen Kaahumanu Highway..." (Emphasis added)> It is important that the County Planning Commission not only look carefully at the subject request for re-zoning, but at the development of the 50 acre parcel as a whole, including the Gomes subdivision and the Welton Subdivision, and how they will affect the existing subdivisions of Kealoha, Kona Heights and Kailua View Estates. Issues that should be addressed include traffic, water, sewage disposal, de-foliaging, and added demands on the infrastructure (schools, law enforcement, emergency services, etc.) 2. Drainaoe My property is immediate{y adjacent to the subject parcel. The portions of the subject parcel to the west and northwest slope toward my property. I urge this Commission to adopt the recommendations as stated in the September 10, 2003 Memorandum from the Department of Public Works, County of Hawaii, to ensure there is no run-off or drainage to adjoining properties. 3. Traffic (Roadways I again refer this Commission to the comments in the September 10, 2003 Memorandum from the Department of Public Works, County of Hawaii. The intersection of Nani Kailua Drive and Queen Kaahumanu Highway is the only way in to or out of the existing Kealoha, Kona Heights and Kailua View Estates Subdivisions and the future Gomes and Welton Subdivisions. A 4-way stop sign was installed at the intersection of Nani Kailua Drive and Kakalina Street in the hopes of alleviating the speeding of motorists through Kailua View Estates subdivision. The stop sign may or may not be permanent once its effectiveness is determined. The addition of 42 more lots will only exacerbate an already existing problem. In addition to the impact this subdivision will have on the immediate neighborhood, Kailua town and the surrounding area is experiencing "growing pains", including traffic and parking prob{ems. Everywhere you look there are new houses and condos being built. The growth you see does not include subdivisions and higher density re-zonings which has been approved and yet to be built. Too much traffic and too little parking decrease the quality of life of residents, adversely affect tourism (who wants to spend hard earned dollars for a vacation in paradise, only to z be caught in a traffic jam}, and put the public at risk. Delays caused by traffic congestion (1) will hinder evacuations from shoreline areas, (2}delay police and fire truck responding to an emergency, (3) delay an ambulance responding to an accident and carrying injured to Kona Hospital, and so on. Many years ago Alii Drive was improved by creating a bike path. That bike path is now parking spaces for beachgoers, creating a hazard by forcing pedestrians and bicyclists onto the roadway. I urge this Planning Commission to carefully review each request for higher density re-zoning and examine each request not only on its own, but also how it will affect the community as a whole 4. Access to Lots It is my understanding that the applicant intends to create a 42-lot subdivision, and sell the lots. A drawing of the proposed subdivision shows the individual lots being accessed from sloop-shaped road. Prior to the lots being sold and homes being built, the area may t>e used by teens and young adults for partying and the road as a racetrack. Should the re-zoning be approved: measures need to be put in place to restrict access to the area to avoid such use. 5. Re-Zoning For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully request that this Commission deny the applicant's request for change of zoning from A-5a to RS-10. In the alternative, I request this Commission approve a re-zoning to a density of not more than RS-20, to mitigate the issues raised herein. A re-zoning of RS-20 would be unrform with the re-zoning of both the Gomes and the Wekons re-zonings from A-5a to RS-20. Respectfully submitted Ruth E. Robinson 75-5776 Waiola Place Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 TMK (3) 7-5-029-041 Encl.