COM 0560.049 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Testimony for the Hawaii County Council, Wed, Nov 10, 2004 Re: Proposed University Terrace Development From: Mahealani Jones 171 Liko Lehua Street, Hilo 961-3224 Council members, I come before you one more time to appeal to you to deny the proposed University Terrace development. I have three major points to make. 1) The first point relates to the Alenaio watershed. Today I bring you reseazch that demonstrates the benefit of more natural management of wetland drainage areas over sealed roads and urban areas. Over the last several yeazs, Seattle, another city with significant rainfall, has converted some of its streets from 100% paved to partial pavement for better water absorption. This design concept has caused a reduction in storm water runoff by 98% and better protects downstream water quality in fragile neazshore azeas. The design mimics nature as much as possible by creating unsealed areas alongside roads called swales which are planted with water-resistant plants and trees to guide water into the soil instead of channeling water quickly downstream. When possible, roads have been designed or redesigned to curve, allowing for larger azeas of swale, and causing decreased traffic speed along the roadways and a greater sense of tranquility. The project is called Street Edge Alternatives, and cities across the country are beginning to adopt this design to improve landscape aesthetics, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and quality of life for its human inhabitants. I bring this to your attention because right now Hilo has a natural drainage system that works better than any "improvement" we might make. The Alenaio streambed, and in fact the entire property in question, acts now like the azeas Seattle is spending big money to reclaim. We have heazd testimony from many community members who have first hand knowledge of the water flow here, and we have all seen the devastating effects of storm water making its way to the downtown azea. Any change in the property involving pavement or roofing will necessarily reduce the porousness of the soil and create increased drainage problems downstream. Any pavement or buildings on the property are ill-advised, given the quantity of rain that falls on Hilo's uplands and flows down the Alenaio. We would be wise to look at successes and failures in other communities as we decide how to manage the Hilo landscape. Visitors come to Hilo because of its scenic appeal, its green spaces, its quaint downtown area, and the lifestyle we residents enjoy. If we remove yet another green area, especially if this leads to a deterioration of downtown businesses and buildings, we aze destroying Hilo's tourist appeal. There aze not enough places left on our island or in our state with developed areas that seem to belong to the landscape, and that make people feel happy and peaceful. Hilo is at the edge right now; your decision to develop or let this property stand undeveloped is a critical one in determining the nature of Hilo in the future. Comm. No. Ref. To: er~~wM Ref, Unfo _ ~ Q 200