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11/8/2006 7:49 PM FROM: MYRICK-888-297-1229 MYRICK CONSULTING SERVICES TO: 961-8c12 PALE: 001 OF 002 (tea "f JD 0 ~ Council Clerk Office C- n C Fax: 808-961-8912 r, RE: Kona Coffee Estates BILL 251 Dear Council Members; - - I am against the proposed development for the following reasons: M I- 1) Increased Traffic Kona Coffee Estates will cause a significant impact on the current traffic problem around Henry Streef and Highway 11. 1.A) The intersections of Henry Street and Palani Street at Highway 11 are two of the worst streets for accidents in this state. Additional development adjacent to these intersections will dramatically impact safety and will result in more lives lost and increased automobile insurance rates for everyone. 1.13) During the peak rush hour traffic on Highway 11 and Henry Street the traffic flow is nearly at a stand still. This condition creates an extreme hazard for all residents on the West Side of the Big Island who use this road for their daily commute. I .C) The planned development will add an estimated 4,000 more vehicles to already severely impacted roads. 1.D) During rush hour, it can take twenty )20) minutes to get from the turn lane on Henry Street to the entrance of Malulani Gardens. The combined traffic signal and a new subdivision will only compound this issue due to the restriction of the flow of traffic proceeding south and the lack of a multiple lane highway extending from Kailua-Kona to Captain Cook. 2) A high density housing development as a cul de sac subdivision with low income housing near Malulani Gardens will significantly increase crime in Malulani Gardens and the areas of Wal Mart and Safeway. 3) This development will also cause a direct decrease in the home values of Malulani Gardens, decreasing property tax revenues for the County of Hawaii. 4) The increase of population in an area with limited traffic infrastructure creates a significant problem to the general public and the residents due to traffic congestion during afire or other disaster, that which was experienced by Waikoloa residents during the recent fire and evacuation. Residents of Malulani Gardens and the Kona Coffee Estates would not be able to evacuate in a timely manor due to traffic congestion. Also, as a cut de sac subdivision, the one way out creates a danger to the residents of both subdivisions in the event of a fire or other emergency that would close the road or make it impassable. 4.a) Our recent earth quake showed how vulnerable this area is to road closures and natural disaster damage. Damages to the surrounding roads caused by the earth quake clearly shows a lack of planning by the County Council. There are too few exit points and cross roads for the public to find a safe way of escape during a disaster. 4.b) Currently, there is only room enough in the disaster shelters for less than ten percent of the population. During a hurricane the loss of life will be significant due to the Councils lack of planning. Approving another development without addressing this problem only adds to the problem. Opposition Statement Against Kona Coffee Estates, Bill 251 1 Of 2 Comm. IN Ref. To: Ref. Date