HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0056.032 2006-2008 Kim Tavares
Fern Forest, Glenwood
PO Box 338 -Volcano, HI 96785
808-985-9070
kimtavares@yahoo.com '
19 January, 2007
To: Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann, Vice Chair Angel Pilago,
and Hawaii County Council Members
Re: Please Oppose Bills 220 & 221
After testifying in opposition to the proposed storage facility on January 4, Mr. Gardner approached
me outside the council room, to ask why I was opposed to his proposal.
Rezoning the property for a storage facility is an inaccurate statement. The proposal is to rezone
Agricultural land to Urban in Bi11220, and to rezone it to Industrial-Commercial Mixed in Bi11221. If
either of these zonings are approved, then just about anything could be built there. If the storage
facility is a sincere request, it should be made via special permit process. In either case, a storage
facility and/or any urban or industrial-commercial mix on this property 315007053 would create new
traffic challenges along the highway, unless an alternate access is acquired, off the highway. In
addition to degraded safety, either of these are clearly inappropriate use of agricultural land.
I also explained to Mr. Gardner that the Puna community development planning process is ongoing.
Community members through working groups have been intensely involved in planning the future
growth of Puna for almost a year now, focusing on sustainable, safe, smart-growth infrastructure that
will increase the quality of life for Puna residents now and for many years to come. Attempting to
circumvent the community planning process is not a good way to be welcomed into the community. I
suggested that he get involved with the working groups to obtain an understanding of what the
community wants and needs.
Ultimately, I suggested Mr, Gardner put up greenhouses. He said there were greenhouses on it before.
I said, there you go! If the land has already been grubbed or graded, why not put up greenhouses
again. It's a great use for the land since there is so much sunshine on it. Any number of useful things
could be grown, from garden greens to native trees. There is just as much need to preserve the
environment and plant more trees as there is to be concerned for safety of motorists on the highway. If
anew access way is granted through other adjoining lands, then this spot might be perfect for
greenhouse farm leasing, perhaps.
Sincerely,
- r
Kim Tavares Comm. No. J 3 Z
Puna CDP Steering Committee Ref. 70; p~p~
P,ef. C.'ote JAN 19 2(107