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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0560.010 2002-2004 487 Ohukea Street Hilo, HI 96720-60li - Phone:808-935-1490 Fax: 808-935-1479 CQ`{ (~(1Y 1 ~ f~~ ~ t' 7 E-mail: tomredican(iilhawaii.rr.c Or: redicant001@hawaii.rr. TOM & P~~°''R~~~CAN May 14, 2004 City Councilmen - JaQnes Rrakaki, Arron Chung, Leningrad Elarionoff, Fred Holschuh, Bob Jacobson, Joe Reynolds, Gary Safarik, Michael Tulang, Curtis Tyler 25 Aupuni St. Hilo, HI 96720 Re: University Terrace Dear Council Members: I azn writing to the vazious Council members, and the Mayor, concerning the above planned project. I sat thru the meeting on May 4`n and was disappointed that the request put forth to hold public heazings was not approved but I hope that there will be opportunities to address this matter further and properly study the project and its consequences prior to approval of any "project district" that more or less would give the developer too much latitude in what is built there. I have previously written to Hawaiiana, a firm which represents Sunrise Ridge/Sunrise Estates areas and to Mayor Kim's office. Rather than again go thru those points raised, I'm attaching copies of those letters. There has been much said about the flood dangers, which would be exacerbated by street and building runoff not only for the immediate area but also for downstream Elenaio Stream (sometimes called Waikea Stream). As is well known this "stream" can flood badly and runs right thru downtown Hilo. As to the question of traffic, there is currently heavy traffic on Komohana Street. There are many new homes under construction in Sunrise Estates as well Sunrise Ridge and there will be more traffic with the construction of the U.S. Department of Agricultwe and a State Forestry facility both on Ponahawaii Street makai of Komohana St. Mentioned lightly was the UHH and Community College expansion mauka of Komohana St. between Mohuli St. extension and Puainako Street extension. This latter 25 year plan is very large in scope and size and will further bwden the traffic problem. It is difficult now to cross Komohana and Mohouli Streets on Kukuau and would probably require additional traffic signals for safety if these proposals are allowed. Comm. No. Ref. To: Ref. Uate Muv ld, 2004 Page 2 All or most of these objections have already been expressed, but a further important consideration is the aesthetics of this proposal. Initially there was talk often story apartment buildings up on this ridge. Ten Stories'?'they would be visible throughout Hilo town and faz out to Sea! Even the counter proposed four story buildings would be out of character for this area. And then there is the proposed "commercial azea'". 'this would not only conflict with the nn-going revitalization of downtown Hilo but would play "poor relative to PK Mall and surrounding stores at that location. I feaz a "strip mall" result. All in all we feel that there should be a much closer and critical eye cast on this project and the people of Hilo look to you, our elected representatives, to see that this is done. Very truly yours, J - . fom Red~can Cc: Mavor Kim Enclosures • 487 Ohukea Street • Hilo, Hl 96 720-60 1 5 : Phone:808-935-1490 Fax: 808-935-1479 e-mail tomredican ir)hawaii.rr.cort or. redicant001(c~,hawaii.rr.cor TOM & PAT REDICAN January 27, 2004 Mayor Harry Kim County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo. HI 9b720 Deaz Mayor Kim: This letter concerns the proposed University Terrace Subdivision. An interesting name, chosen no doubt to benefit from the UHH good name and reputable standing in Hilo, although the subdivision is two miles finm Ponabawai/Komohana intersection to UHH Campus. I realize that this project puts you in a difficult position since you live in Suruise Estates, but the fact remains that you aze the Mayor, and expected to represent all interests in this situation. I'm attaching a copy of a letter-fax sent to Jason Alexander of Hawaiians, which is self explanatory (and also not replied to). Subsequent to that letter, afollow-up story in the Tribune Herald shed additional negative info, stating, in part "The owner wants a `project district' created once the zoning is granted, the process excludes more public comment" In other words, if anything is to be done to put some controls sad restrictions on this ill thought project, now is the time. The article further stated that "Yamashiro noted that Plans are in the works to build a federal agricultural research neaz the University Terrace site" where? and how big and how much traffic will that generate? A further story in Thursdays Tribune Herald (concerning pollution in Hilo Bay) contained the following comment "Scott Andrews said he was concerned about the 750 unit University Terrace Residential and commercial project proposed for land above Komohana Street, an area that suffered heavy flooding during the record setting November 2000 storm. "Why in the world would anyone want to pave this over-he asked?" January 17, 200! Page 2 It is noted that the members of the Hawaii County Planning Commission include three (of 9) members who were appointed by previous Mayor Steve Yamashiro, now the project manager for University Terrace Subdivision. Two, who were at the meeting voted to approve the change in zoning (one was absent). It would appeaz proper that any member appointed by the former Mayor recuse themselves from voting on this project. There have not been any renderings of what this project is supposed to look like (at least none made publicly available), but the verbal information is enough to make us say "NO!" Very truly yours, Tom Redican 48; E)hukea Strert llilo_H1967_'0-60i~ Nhunt 808-9~~-1190 I a~ 808-`a+>-1479 u-snail tcvnredican,n'hav<aii.rr.c~ or redicant00ls~hawaii.rr c TOM & PAT REDICAN January 13, 2004 Jason Alexander HA W Al1AN A Fax: 808-325-2645 We received the Notice of Meeting concerning [he January 7, 2004 meefing at the Hdo Women's Club I could not attend since I was in Honolulu. Your notice was the first we heard of the "University Terrace Subdivision", although your notice contained no information about the project. Lo, this mornings Tribune Herald's story came as quite a shock. As you are our associatlon representative, my first (of many to come) objections is being directed to you. The property in question, as much as can be gleaned from maps, has been offered for development for some time. A landowner certainly has a right to develop property to its best and most proper use, but the community has its undeniable and proper interests also. The land owner appears to be a "foreign" (i.e. non Hawaii based) entdy and their proposal certainly reflects a "carpetbagger' attitude. The proposed development is totally out of character with the neighborhood. Housing is fine, but 10 story apartment buikings? A "commercial space" twice the size of Kaiko'o Mall? (Which by the way failed-) 10 story apartment buikfing on top of the ridge would be visible all through North-East Hilo town and upcountry Hilo-Kaumana as well. The Vaffic this area would develop woukf compound an already difficult problem with the schools and medical facilities already located nearby on Mohouli, Komohana, Kukuau and Waianuenue streets. It's certainly interesting that the "project manager', ex Mayor Yamashiro recently saw fit to move from an immediately adjacent area to an outside town location. I would hope that the elected officials (the current onesj. will take a very careful look at this proposal and require some appropriate revisions. Very truly ours, dy„~ Tom Redican