HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0015.002 2004-2006 December 20, 2004
TO: HAWAII COUNTY CO IL
FR: ROY TAKEMOTO
RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPP T OF CHRIS YUEN FOR PLANNING DIRECTOR
It has been my privilege to work with Chris these past four years as his Deputy. Having
worked with Chris day in and day out, I feel that I am in a position to share with you
some observations of Chris that are pertinent to your decision regarding Chris'
confirmation as Planning Director of this County.
I will sum up five characteristics that make him an extraordinary Planning Director:
I. Ability to quickly grasp and work out complex issues. Planning issues do not
have easy answers. Just to understand the issues requires lots of reading,
talking with people, thinking, and synthesizing. It's not only the speed at
which Chris goes through this process that impresses me, it is the creativity of
the answer. Let me quickly give some examples. One of the first issues Chris
addressed was the uncontrolled breakup of agricultural lands through the
condominium process. I have dealt with planning issues for over 20 years, but
I never heard anyone before Chris so clearly define the link between CPR's
and additional farm dwellings as the root cause of the problem. The outcome:
Chris authored and shepherded an amendment to the Subdivision Code and
developed staff guidelines to evaluate additional farm dwellings. Another
example: Kohanaiki. Chris tried to "fix" the General Plan as best he could by
focusing on the LUPAG map. One of his proposed changes was to
dramatically increase the open area on Che Kohanaiki parcel. I could not
understand the rational basis for the revised boundary. But Chris was looking
way beyond the new line. To Chris, the new line was a way to bring the
owner to the table. It worked. Today, the development approved for
Kohanaiki features an expansive public area that will preserve that precious
shoreline in perpetuity for public use. A last example: affordable housing.
Affordable housing has to be one of the most complex planning issues that I
have had to address. It's an issue jurisdictions all over our nation have
struggled with. It has so many moving parts. You have an administrative bill
before you that I believe is cutting edge, crafred of course largely by Chris. It
attempts to leverage market forces where most affordable housing programs
are purely regulatory to hammer the private sector.
2. Pragmatic. With most smart people, you won-y that they are too academic.
Chris is refreshingly pragmatic. His thinking follows through and focuses on
the "so what", so what does this mean a regulatory change? CIP?
Condemnation? Is it financially feasible? Is it politically feasible?
3. Detached and patient. I have sat with Chris on personnel meetings where the
employee is throwing out allegations that could be quite upsetting. I have
never seen Chris upset. He listens with an open mind and sincerely tries to
understand the gripe. For lack of a better word, I describe this trait as
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"detached". But I do not mean impersonal or unfeeling. I mean able to face a
blast of harsh words, whether by an employee or at a public hearing, without
emotional reactions hindering the concentration on capturing the ideas being
expressed. Then to calmly and rationally respond.
4. Balanced. Chris is an environmentalist at heart. But in meetings with
developers, I am impressed with his understanding of their positions and
requirements. Where it makes sense, he does what he can to help and
encourage. But where there are concerns, Chris is forthright in drawing the
line. As an attorney, Chris is very aware of the constitutional reach of
government on private property rights and applies these principles in the
interest of fairness.
5. Skilled writer. When I come across writings that are so clear, concise, and
provides depths of insights, I say "wow". I believe we are so fortunate to
have someone of Chris' caliber willing to work for the cause when he could
be raking in the bucks. You only have to read some of Chris' memos to our
staff, emails, or reports, and you will know what I mean.
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