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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0927.042 2004-2006 Bishop Holdings Corporation July 19, 2006 Honorable Stacy Higa, Chair Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii %720 Subject: Testimony Against Resolution No. 381-06 To Postpone Action on Rezoning Applications in the Districts of North and South Kona Until the North and South Kona Community Development Plan is Adopted by Ordinance, Or January 1, 2007, Whichever Shall Occur First Aloha Chair Higa, Vice-Chair Isbell and Members of the Hawaii County Council: This resolution seeks to take away a land owner's ability to move forward through normal zoning procedures already in place. If passed, it will decisively paralyze the efforts of the Planning Department and the Hawaii County Council to balance requirements for infrastructure of all types in exchange for zoning requests. No one denies the problems of traffic and infrastructure in West Hawaii. Rather than point the finger at who is to blame (e.g., developers vs. the County) we need to focus on the means to solutions. Experience has shown that the best solutions to these issues come through close private-public sector collaboration and creative joint venture approaches. Neither the County nor the development community can do it alone. If passed, this resolution will create an environment that discourages collaboration and creativity; not one that promotes good private-public sector cooperation. This resolution removes incentives for land owners to provide any concessions, which means the problems of traffic and infrastructure won't get solved because the County does not have the means to address these issues alone. I have participated in the Kona Community Development Plan's process from the start and will continue to participate. However, the Kona Community Development Plan has yet to effectively engage private land owners in the process. Until this process addresses the needs and expectations of private land owners, the only Comm. No. o l 2,7.q2. Ref. To-Proust" Ref. I)ate JUL 19 LUUD HONOLULU OFFICE: 567 South King Street, Suite 121 Honolulu. Hawaii 96813-3036 Telephone (808) 521-1408 Facsimile (808) 599-3952 KONA OFFICE: 7&6740 Makolea Street Kailua-Kona, Hawah 96740-2472 Telephone (906) 3224)668 Facsimile (809) 322.2075 WEESrNi. www.keauhou-resort.com Honorable Stacy Higa, Chair Hawaii County Council July 19, 2006 Page Two outcome the CDP creates is a false hope for a community vision. To tie rezoning applications to a well-intentioned yet troubled process only delays address of the very problems that the CDP is supposed to consider. I encourage this County Council to vote against Against Resolution No. 381-06 Mahalo GreJg&Y C. Chun, Ph.D. Bishop Holdings Corporation President and General Manager 78-6740 Makolea St. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii %740-2472 w: 808.322.0088 ext.121 f: 808.3212075 email: gchun@kic-kona.com