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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0560.034 2002-2004 Y My name is Lennart Lundstrom.I live at 40 S. Wiliwifi St. The proposed project is to be located two blocks south from where I Gve at the end of S. Wiliwili St. I am opposed to this project for several reasons. This area is currently well covered by trees,mostly non-native pioneer species typical of previously cleared land in the Hilo area, in places they are very dense and jungle like,in other places there are relatively open clearings. The last use of this land was for the cultvation of sugar cane,an extremely erosive bi- annual crop. The harvesting of this crop caused the loss of most of the soil in this area and heavy muddy runoff in the Alenaio stream. In the initial phase of the proposed development all of this area will be bulldozed and once again be subject to excessive runoff. Any flood control plan will be started after the area is cleared , it would not be possible to control runoff during the time needed to clear this area of trees. If I-Tilo received heavy rainfall at this time we would see debris and runoff in the Alenaio sream flood control channel that could cause that channel to overflow. If the rainfall is as heavy as in Nov. 2000 during this time we will have a disaster greater than we had at that time. The proposal states that "all development -generated runoff shall be disposed of on-site and shall not be directed toward any adjacent properties"[ pg. 18 ,AA) How is the developer going to dispose of 172 acres of runoff on-site? Even when the project is completed the runoff will be greater than it is currently and wig be impossible to "dispose of on-site". There are numerous springs in the area ,water moves underground through lava tubes emerging in many cases miles downstream. How can water be" disposed of onsite"when the site is the source of much of the water? Will Ponahwai street become Ponahawai stream once it is extended to MohouFi s~LFej through this flood plain? The other major problem I see with this proposal is the additional traffic that it will cause on Komohana and Mohouli streets.These streets are already major traffic arteries for the mauka residential areas of Hilo. The applicant intends to develop six hundred residential units and one hundred fifty hotel units on the property as well as a commercial area including a shopping center.This will bring additional traffic to the area both from inside and outside the development.The mauka area of Hilo will undoubtably be developed both residentially and commercially in the future.The recent extentions of MohouG and Puainako streets provide lazge areas for this developmerrt to take place that are not subject to flooding and traffic congestion to the degree that the University Terrace project is.Once developed the comrrtercial sites in the mauka sections of Hilo will attract not only Hilo residents but traffic from Puna as welLThis will change the current traffic 4ow in the entire Hilo area profoundly ,commercial development where the traffic is ah'eady, heavy would create an area inaccessable to Puna residents and ultimately those businesses located there will suffer when more accessable areas are developed . Comm. Plo. J `~O' Ref. To: - Ref. Date Since this area has been allowed to become a " Cnreee $elt" without our help I feel that we should leave it as such.This has been shown to be the best use of any area with the chazacteristics of a flood plain existing within an urban development azea. Years from now when Hilo has grown around this area as it likely will we will have an open space where we need it most and not another failed shopping center . S~ ~ ` r v O m d ~ ~a~ a m~~ ~ N II 9 N gM ~30 ~ ~ 0 Q y 4+ N N 6661-6661 sunpmd aRew~ xvdo~4r~ 1y9u6do~ ~ W d 01 ~L I Z f 0/Z/9 uo paluud Q •••snto11o,~ ~uaurnaoQ nta~ ~ paa3 ~i~.z~ZOd N 0 N 7 N W •3aags ao;eredas ad,Ca Z yoled e s~ silty October 18'x, 2004 From: Mary Brown, R.N. 53 Puuko St. Hilo, Hawaii 96720 To: The County Council Members, Hawaii County Planning Council Re. Testimony Regarding The Proposed Zoning Change Of The Property Referred To As "The University Terrace Project". I want to go on record as "opposing" the proposed legislative bill requested by the applicant = "Western United Life Assurance Company"to change the district classification for the 171.504 acres of land TMK:2-3-44: ] 9, 2-3-49:53 & 2-3-37:1 to Project District. My primary concerns about the proposed University Terrace Project are: 1. The proposal to build this huge, densely populated (estimated approximately 4,000 more vehicles in this area) urban development on a well documented flood plain 8c wetlands. The Hawaii County General Plan devotes several pages to flooding & states "Present drainage & flood problems are mainly due to the "Development of Vacant Lands" "The Flood Hazard Mitigation Study conducted by the National Science Foundation that was submitted to Congress in 1980 states: Floods may indeed be natural phenomena, but their impact is often aggravated---if not actually caused---By Man's Unwise Activities & Occupation Of Flood Plains-Such Problems Have Been Exacerbated By Urbanization. Floods Are the Most Consistently Destructive Natural Hazards In The United States And The Upward Trend In Damages Continues In Spite of The Nation's Investment In Structural &c Non Structural Measures. Urbanization Increases Flood Peaks On Small Streams From Two To Six Times. All Levels Of Government Should Accelerate The Acquisition Of The Most Flood Prone Areas For Open Space „ 2. Bill 248, Draft. 2, dated September 21~`, 2004 & Bi11248, Draft 3, dated October 6"', 2004 from the Planning Committee To Members of the Hawaii County Council it states the following: "Based upon the applicant's representation the intent is to develop a total of 600 residential units & 150 hotel units". Now we know what "Transient Accommodations" really means-It's Hotels -Not apartments..,. I ask the County Council to tell us -the community citizens & the students of our community -Where is the student housing to be within this project & what will be the "affordable"monthly rate for our students? comm.IJo, (00.33 Ref. To:hew~/ Ref. Date 2 I ask the County Council to have the applicant explain to our community as to why the applicant - Western United Life Assurance has never spoken the words - "Hotels" nor given public notice that it is Hotels up until Bill 248 Draft 2 was submitted. It is important for the public to know that anyone may obtain a free copy of these Bills here at the County Council Office here in the county building in Hilo. 3. I want to see you -our County Council representatives representing this community's highest interests for our future development -meaning socially responsible - eco-friendly -well thought out and with public community meetings in the evenings. This project proposal has many issues of concern that must be thoroughly addressed & not rushed through. 4. On May 4'", 2004, the Council's Planning Committee voted to defer Bi11248, DraR2, Univ. Terrace Project in order to allow Council member Tulang, members of the community & the applicant time to meet & consider the project. The charette is a method for developers, government agencies & communities to come together & discuss the concerns of all parties & try to come to an amicable agreement.We, the community members are asking for this meeting with Mr. Tulang, the applicant, the county service agencies involved 8c the community members as we were not included to the meeting previously held. In conclusion, I am asking that all of you -our county council & planning committee as representatives of our community ...To think about what is "Pono" when you cast your vote. Sincerely, Mary Brown, R.N.