HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0964.115 2004-2006
FILE No.016 1023 '06 14:43 ID:KEFFER PROPERTIES, INC. FAX:808 323 9803 PAGE 1
IN REFERENCE TO BILL 309-SECTION F-2 jNS OCT 23 PM 33 r'
To those it concerns,
I strongly advise that section F-2 of bill 309 be eliminated. The reasons are numerous.
1)The county of Hawaii needs to create a vision for the firture of the island. If current trends
continue the ability to transport food and fuel to the island will become increasingly expensive.
The lands best suited to crop production must be act saide for that purpose. The development of
this property will also have deleterious effects on our coastal waters. Located directly above
Kealakekua Bay the unavoidable runoff and percolation of human waste and toxic products will
inevitably find their way into the ocean.
2)Rural zoning of prime agricultural property is inappropriate. I have nearly 30 years experience
in tropical agriculture in the South Kona region and I am quite familiar with the 100 acres in
question. This is some of the finest and most versatile land on the island. It receives adequate
raitdltll, has an excellent soil structure and is at an elevation suitable for a wide variety of trope.
The more appropriate zoning for the property would be Ag-20. This would allow for sufficient
acreage to actually dap an agricultural living on the property and minimize the potential for
polhrtiom flooding, earthquake damage and burden on the infrastructure.
3) The infrastructure to accommodate any additional large scale development in this area is
insufficient. Napoopoo Road is a treacherously winding afflsir with harrow to no shoulders and
precipitous plunges on the makai side. Napoopoo Junction with Mamalahoe Iffnghway is already a
dangerous intersection due to the grade onto Mamalahoa and the blind curve on the south side of
the junction. Additionally no consideration seems to be being made for the effects of the HokuGa
Bypass, intersection immediately to the north of the junction or the overall traffic and pollution
impacts of the addition of as many as 665 new homes already approved but largely unbuih in close
proximity. The current status of the traff a flow north and south of the development already is
such that thousands of people waste thousands of hours every week mired in it.
4)Them is no pressing need for new development in the area There are a number of similar
properties on the market in the area. Some of them have been on the market for some time now.
To be Rank the only one that stands to benefit from any subdivision approval or zoning
manipulation# of the land is, the developer himself.
Please take these thoughts into consideration before allowing f-2 to remain a part of the bill. The
insidious among of rural zoning into the important agricultural lands of the island must be
stopped before it starts. Although it may not be a subject of the moment the council should also
seriously consider a moratorium on developmem of land on the makai side of Napoopoo Rd.
Thanks for taking the time to consider my thoughts.
Sincerely,
Keith Comm. no.~ W `
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