HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0560.038 2002-2004 18 October 2004
RE: Opposition to Rezoning for University Terrace Project
Submitted by: M. Dolly Strazar, Ph.D.
36 Hualilili Street Q j
Hilo, HI 96720 /1a,--~~
Personal Background/:
34 years in Hawai' i
Professional Historian
Former Board Member, Historic Sites Review Board
Member, Downtown Improvement Association
Member, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and
Japanese and Portuguese Chambers
I would like to register opposition to the proposed rezoning for the University Terrace
Project for the following reasons:
1. Project zoning of the type proposed is inappropriate in the area it is proposed for.
This type of project zoning, if I understand correctly, was developed originally as
a means to facilitate resort development or projects in resort development areas of
the Big Island. The Komohana/Ponahawai to Mohouli parcel is clearly not this
kind of azea. The area mauka of Komohana is predominantly residential from the
Wailuku River until it meets the UH-Hilo area; in fact, the area immediately
bordering the pazcel on the Hamakua side is old-time residential. Larger scale
commercial facilities and higher-rise, transient accommodations are inappropriate
for this large part of the interior of the community of Hilo. It threatens the very
neighborhood-ish character of the communities it borders and promises to allow
for the intrusion of traffic, noise and potential social problems into an area that is
currently quiet and stable. (I live 4 to 5 doors away from the edge of the parcel.
We've been told there will be a buffer zone between the edge of the parcel and
any development, but it is a mere 25-foot buffer zone.)
2. Commercial development of the type planned for this parcel, i.e., in an expanded
way by virtue of this rezoning request, will contribute further to the diminishing
of downtown Hilo as a commercial center. The pazcel is just about a mile from
the bayfront and downtown. For years we have looked towards a revival of
downtown Hilo and many citizens are continuing to work for that kind of future
for Hilo. Why work against ourselves by placing further large-scale commercial
entities in such close proximity to downtown Hilo? Furthermore, we should
continue to be aware of the disintegration of Kaikoo Mall as a commercial center.
It was so near to downtown FIilo and yet it failed as the commercial development
on Kanoelehua expanded. There is enough strip-mall and other commercial and
industrial for Hilo along Kanoelehua. We don't need to have it everywhere
throughout our community especially since such development does more to
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encourage driving everywhere instead of convenient walks to small stores and
restaurants. Downtown Hilo is a walking town. What is planned for this parcel a
mile a way is not.
3. The proposed project is also slated to address the lack of housing for UH-Hilo
students. I agree that that lack of transient housing needs to be addressed;
however, UH-Hilo should be addressing it in terms of increased on-campus
student housing. Moreover, University Terrace would not be close enough to the
University to encourage students not to have cars. Any project named University
Terrace should be actually in the University area and not in the small-scale
neighborhood area of Lower Kaumana.