HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0560.016 2002-2004 Good afternoon council members. ~ ,
My name is Donald Ikeda and I am presenting~testimony against Bi11248 and Bi11248{
(Draft 2). I am surprised that the developer used the name University Terrace. ~'I ~ not
believe that this development is connected with the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
The proposed development is between Komohana and the M~huli ~6tens~ n. Currently
the azea is zoned for an 18-hole golf course~aa~l club house glue~t6d homes.`"~he
surrounding residents do not oppose the present zoning.
Western Life Assurance Co., the developer, is now applying for a Project District (PD)
zoning with an increased density of approximately five times the original request. The
proposed development calls for 350,000 squaze feet of commercial space, 600 residential
units and 150 apartments, some of which would be in 10-story building. The Project
District (PD) is like a moving tazget. The Project District (PD) allows the developer to
build whatever the developer feels is most beneficial to them. The Developer with a
Project District designation therefore is not liable to identify where specific projects will
be located on the property during the development. In essence, the developer can
promise one thing today but may do another if they feel that is the most beneficial to
them.
I the plan consistent with the General Plan? I believe that Urban Extensio (UEA)
a~ Me~um De Ur a e ~sio not ne multifamil
apartinent and hote o t e lazge number of residents against the development, I
must say no.
I am disappointed because the council was to hold a meeting with the community leaders
and the applicant of the project. I was informed by the community leaders that if such a
meeting was held, they were not informed of such a meeting and was not in attendance of
any such meeting.
i do not believe that the traffic problem has been addresQYe `Y]~/rt an increase o 750
k r IS~A l
residential units and a commercial azea, I believ~ghat tie,~e~w,~Jl ha~w~~~~ciea~e of
approximately 2000 plus cazs daily. With only one roa~~the tr is wi e orrendous. I
can see cars backing up Kaumana Drive again, past the 3 mile mazker as it did before the
opening of the Moohuli extension.
Also, with multifamily high-rise apartment houses, the buildings will not match the
surrounding azea. All of the residential lots surrounding the development are single
family residential properties. As for a hotel, I believe there is a vacant property on
Banyan Drive that was the former Islander Hotel. Why not keep hotels out of the
residential azeas.
Although flooding was mentioned, I believe that the flood situation was not addressed.
Also other infrastructures like schools cannot accommodate the increase student
population.
Comm. No. ~.1~
Ref. To: Ptes
Ref. bate
IM-. tiG Lc~~ lam. t7
1 believe that the applicant is ir~receivership7and is trying to get the best zoning possible.
Therefore, I do not believe that the developer's objective is to develop an urban
residential community that is self sustaining, pedestrian friendly and in harmony with the
natural environment.
I therefore ask the Council members tcldeny the request for rezoning and defeat Bill 248
and Bi11248 (Draft 2) or at the very leasdefer Bi11248 and Bi11248 (Draft 2) until the
next council takes office after December , 2004 to give the residents their say in this
matter.
Thank you.