HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0045.047 2002-2004 Claudia Rohr
~ 369 nenc St.
Hilo, Haaau 96720
res.{808) 9348040
home fax: 935-0940
~
August 5, 2004 i c' -
.T
VIA Fax 9 1-8912 -
Coutrty Cq ct7 Members =3
25Aupuni, uite 209 ~
101 P 'Suite 3
Hilo, Hawadi 96720
RE: Item B-2 of the South Hilo 1 Map from the Proposed LLTPAG Map Revision-Draft 2
Dear Chair Leningrad Elarionoffand County Council Members,
I would likb to request that rho Counetl Members consider removing item B-2 from the South Hilo 1
Map of the Proposed LUPAG Map Revision-I7ralt 2, consisting of a land use designation change for
the area ar¢und the Hilo Coast Power Compatry from Intensive and Extensive Agriculture to
Industrial. ~
Chpsging IChsracter: The Hilo Coast Power Company will be closing down shortly because
HELCO "not renew its contract to purchase electricity. I Gave read the public records and
reviewed t xquence of events that led to the rewnutg of the laud under the electric plant to
Industrial ' the early 1980's. If you remember, the purpose put forth with the request for rewnhtg
was to alb for the production of ethanol at the Hilo Coast Processing Company mill with the hope
of the IiEe of the sugar industry. Those plans fat7ed to be im~plentetued but the rezoning
allowed fo the frill time production of coal fired electricity. Plans for expanded industrial activities
such as 8 e to energy project have come and. gone over the past years but in the end C. Brewer
elected toy ll all their lands and close down their operations. The ]and slated for amended land use
designatio to lnduatrial was sold to Continental Pacific, LLC over three years ego and a master plan
to subdivide the property in phases approved by the Planning Diarector. Numerous agciculhual lots
have aheady been sold to new owners who plan. to build homes along with fanning operations. Most
of this area has barn actively farmed in recent years. The character of the area is rapidly changing as
it is broken up imo smaller parcels txngiug from 2 to 20 acres. Since a master plan for the
subdivlsloxA ofthe land has ahcady been proposed by the developer, generally accepted by the
Planning D!eparhnent, and for the most part itt~letnented and sold to new owners, Industrial caning
would m bnger be appropriate or applicable.
Recreatio Resoarce; Fishing and Picnicking: The more densely populated ICuliaro0.ano
neighborh od adjacent and mauka to this portion of land actively toes the Pepeekeo shorelite for
recteatio fishing and pietileking. There are several submerged areas accessible for fishing as well
as deep po' is reachable from the pall with casting equipment. These is a public access trail along
appmxima ely fotu miles of pali and scetric shoreline. Siuce public access to Hakalau Bay leas been
Comm. No.
l S.
Ref. To:
i Ref. Uate
restricted as a result of recent land sales, Pepeekeo Pohu shoreline has become more widely used for
recreatloua~ purposes by residents from nearby nssal communities such as Honomu and Hakalau as
well as by sow more adventurous residents of Ililo_
Carrent I daatrial Related IIx: There remain stockpiles of soil and coal ash on the property
adjacent tp the electric platrt but the stockpiling and recycling of coal ash and soil quarry operations
can operat with Special Pcradts under the current lead use designation and zoning. There are
currently Special Permits in place for active sort excavation activities. The only reason to
change the use designation today would be to pave the way to legitimize the stockpiling of coal
ash, which this time is in violation of the zoaimg cock due to HCPC's failure to simply apply for a
Special P ' . Special Permit requirements asstaes that these activities are conducted in a manrlcY
that is co t with neighborhood values. To change the land use designation fora "temporary
stockpile" ould make the general plan process obsolete before it has a chance to be itrtplemeated.
Eaviroameatal Protection: The pelf and rugged coastline make this land in Pepeekeo not only a
scenic azea but an enviaronomentally sensitive area as well. HCPC was fined by the EPA just last year
for Clean Water Act violations. Phis land has numerous drainage issues such as landfilled
i~ermittent streams and reliance on diversion ditches to divert storm water run-off. During extreme
storut eve[~s pollutants such as coal and coal ash have been carried away by stonm water and
discharged imio the ocean. The drainage probkras alone present storm water challenges that would
suggest tltc~ lay of the Iand is not suitable for moat industrial activities. The coral reefr offshore
which suat~ the fish population in the area deserve to be protected after being subjected to years of
pollution.
Comtnua' Value: This is good and actively farmed agricultural land that deserves to be protected
sad the ad ent shOrellae a beloved recreational and scenic area for the larger South Hilo rural
cA . I urge you to rcaycmbcr to protect the cotnanwity vaha3 of this land by requesting that
item B-2 removgd from the South Hilo 1 Map.
Thank yo for your time and effort in reviewing this request.
Shtcerely,
Claudia J. Rohr
cc: Plafming Director, Christopher Xuen
P Commission Members
Pe keo Community Association
So th Hilo Rural Conomunity Association
' Casting Club
Y tote Izu, Deputy Chairperson DLNR
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