HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0438.048 2002-2004 CS cM 0-,~,-,0
DAVID O. KISH
CAROL NANI STONE
75-360 ALOHA KONA DRIVE
KAILUA-KONA, HI 96740
808.327.1199
kishdna,earthlink.net
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May 26, 2004 = rv `
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Chair James Arakaki -o
And Council members ~
Hawaii County Council _
25 Aupuni St.
Hilo, HI 96720
RE: Council Items 198,199: Nani Kona Aina
This letter is to request that you deny the zone change for Nani Kona Aina development, items
198 and 199.
As neighbors of this property, we appreciated your holding a public hearing on this issue in Kona
eazlier this yeaz. We also appreciated the Planning Committee's recommendation to deny the
rezone. However, we realize this item is still alive until the whole council votes.
You have heazd great concern from the neighbors about traffic problems, lot size, water supply,
fmancing, endangered species, and property ownership under vazious LLC's. Most people said
they did not oppose an eventual rezoning as long as these issues were adequately addressed to
protect the quality of life of existing residents. To date, none of these issues has been adequately
addressed.
Traffic
The proposed solutions to access the property are not adequate and will only enhance the value
of other land these developers wish to develop. Not one current resident endorsed the idea of
access from the south, connecting with Hualalai Road and Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. Every
individual who addressed access stated it should be from the north, and not the south through the
existing neighborhoods. The plan for access to the south will allow hundreds of other acres to
develop and pour traffic onto an inadequate Hualalai Road, down to a very dangerous
intersection at Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway.
Water Supply
The wells currently serving our neighborhoods aze drawing inconsiderable amounts of sodium
and chloride into the drinking water. Federal EPA standazds suggest sodium should not exceed
30/60 mg/L. Yet reports from the Department of Water Supply show much higher levels. These
levels aze a health threat to those with heart problems and high blood pressure. And neither the
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Ref. To:
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Mayor's Office nor the Department of Water Supply can tell us when this issue will be resolved.
We pay our water bill on time, but now are considering installing an expensive filtration system
for our home. Will the County pay for our system?
Requiring the developer to improve the system looks too much like a quid pro quo for the zone
change. It is not good public policy.
Lot Size
Other pazcels of property between Hienaloli Road and Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, makai of
this property have been rezoned lower density. It seems like more dense development at the top
only exacerbates traffic and other problems for the neighborhood. Its sole purpose is more profit
for the developers.
Property Ownership Under Various LLC'S
The issue of overlapping ownership of properties up and down this hill that have been recently
rezoned, or are pending rezoning, has been practically ignored. It is likely that the formation of
sepazate LLC's for each pazcel avoids the letter of your rules regazding major impact studies for
large rezones. But it is planning with blinders on and is just not right!
The number of new lots running from Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway to Hienaloli will far exceed
your threshold of 100 for major impact studies. Yet you aze ignoring the issue as you proceed
with these zone changes.
[t is possible to do it right -not just legally correct.
Endangered Species
An expert in the azea testified several times on endangered species on these parcels. She has
offered to help plan the development so habitat can be protected. To date her offers have been
ignored and for the last several weeks bulldozers have been grading the property and destroying
habitat.
N'inancina
The developer proposed tax increment bonds to pay for roads and water. Why should the
County taxpayers be at risk for this project only to enhance developers' profits? Taxpayers
would be on the hook for millions of dollars if this fails or the market goes soft.
Most people testifying at your hearings have not opposed future residential use of this property.
They just want it to be planned in public with sensitivity to the existing neighborhoods' quality
of life.
Until this is done, this rezoning application should not be approved. It deserves further public
discussion, a full disclosure ofthe transportation and water infrastructure that is planned, the
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potential risks to the public from tax increment and other kinds of financing that may be
employed, and a plan for endangered species on the site.
This is an opportunity to show the Kona community how good planning can really work. It is an
opportunity that should not be missed.
Mahalo.
Sincerely,
~ t'GNJ
David O. Kish
cc: Mayor Hany Kim
Chris Yuen, Planning Dvector
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