HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0939.038 2004-2006
TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF RESOLUTION 383-06
BY DAVID TARNAS,
MARINE AND COASTAL SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
PLANNING CONSULTANT TO JACOBY DEVELOPMENT, INC.
AUGUST 1, 2006
Aloha
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Resolution 383-06, which is to direct the
Planning Director to study the feasibility of amending the General Plan for the makai lands of
Kealakehe to include "Urban Expansion Area," "Resort," and "Open."
This feasibility study is needed so that due consideration will be given to the plans of the
landowners, DLNR and DHHL, and their partner, Jacoby Development, Inc. for the mixed-use
development project on these lands, which would include retail, commercial, hotel and
timeshare, marina support industrial, as well as an expanded harbor, a major connector road, a
major shoreline park, community and open space. The plan is to create a harbor-front
commercial village for residents and visitors alike.
This master planned development, including the transient accommodations component of this
mixed-use project, is essential to be able to finance these major public infrastructure
improvements that are needed for this area of North Kona, such as the connector road to relieve
traffic congestion on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, and the new harbor facility. For the success
of this state-initiated project, the General Plan designation for this area needs to allow for
transient accommodations, and the different land uses proposed in this mixed-use development.
As the Kona Community Development Plan process has indicated, the idea of a mixed-use
development project where people can live, work and play is preferred. DHHL and DLNR are
working with Jacoby Development to plan a mixed-use development project for these lands.
Because there is no permanent residential use allowed on these lease lands under the terms of
the agreements with the State, transient accommodations are included. Potentially, the
permanent residential area for worker housing would be mauka in the same or adjacent
ahupua'a, and connected by a shuttle service to the makai lands. In this way the ahupua'a is the
area where people can live, work, play and learn. This mix of uses will also provide a stable
employment base close to residential growth areas planned for Kona.
While these mix of land uses may be allowed in an area designated only as "Urban Expansion
Area," as was discussed in yesterday's hearing before the Planning Committee, a "Resort"
designation may be more appropriate. This is why it is important to do this feasibility study
DLNR and DHHL both went through a formal multi-year process of gathering community
input, publishing Requests for Proposals, and competitively selecting the preferred developer.
Both state agencies chose Jacoby Development, Inc, and agreed that their adjacent parcels of
land could be developed in a master-planned mixed-use project. This process culminated in a
master lease with DHHL in January 2004 and a development agreement with DLNR in
November 2005. As per these agreements, a master development plan, a core infrastructure
plan and a draft EIS are due in November.
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Tarnas testimony on Res. 383-06 on August 1, 2006 Comm. No. C4
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DHHL and DLNR based their land use plans on the County's General Plan which designated
these lands "Urban Expansion Area," "Resort," and "Open" before it was amended last February
2005. DHHL and DLNR also based their plans on the Keahole to Kailua Development Plan,
which designated this area for an expanded harbor complex, a connector road, a shoreline park,
and a new regional urban center for Kona, relieving the pressures of urbanization on Kailua
Village. Both the DHHL lease and the DLNR development agreement include hotel and
timeshare land use as essential components in the mix of land uses envisioned for this area.
Both agreements prohibit permanent residential on these lease lands.
Using smart growth design principles, this collaborative project of DHHL, DLNR and Jacoby
Development, Inc. intends to create a community-friendly place for residents and visitors alike,
that uses the best in transportation planning, environmentally-sensitive and energy-efficient
design.
Mahalo for your consideration of this request to pass Resolution 383-06 so that planning for this
project can move forward and it can be a part of the solution to the many growth-related
challenges being faced by the Kona community today.
Tarnas testimony on Res. 383-06 on August 1, 2006 p. 2 of 2