HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0056.003 2006-2008 - _ . ~ ~ a.. ~ ~ .
L
Kim Tavares
Fern Forest, Glenwood ~
PO Box 338 -Volcano, HI n~11F,~
808-985-9070 ~
kimtavares@yahoo.com i:'.
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24 January, 2007
TO: Honorable Mayor Harry Kim
CC: Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann, Vice Chair Angel Pilago,
and Hawaii County Council Members
Planning Director Christopher J Yuen
RE: Bi11220 & Bi11221 -Please Veto
Dear Mayor Kim,
I offered my testimony to the County Council in opposition to Bill 220 and Bi11221, in written form,
and also in person at their January 4 and January 19 meetings. I am a member of the Puna CDP
steering committee, and I am opposed to these bills because they propose critical land use changes in
the midst of this intense CDP planning process. Over one hundred unpaid citizen volunteers have
been working thousands of hours in the last 12 months, to develop smart growth management
strategies and to answer questions such as; where should commercial-industrial expansion take place,
and how do we solve safety and efficiency issues on H-130 for double the traffic load in ten years or
less. I think I can speak for all steering committee members when I say that we believe we are here to
help the Planning Deparunent and its consultants come up with a comprehensive plan to drive new
Puna development in a sensible way, based on CDP work group recommendations, good research from
past planning efforts, other intensive public input, scientific reports and data, population trends and
growth projection models. It will reflect the general desire shared by all Puna residents to preserve
unique rural lifestyles, agricultural lands, natural resources and natural beauty, while having sufScient
infrastructure and economic prosperity. Recommendations will include ways to achieve these goals,
while preserving the character of Puna and sustaining a growing population.
The Puna CDP will go into great detail on the following topics, the "Working Groups"
Agricultural Lands Alternative Energy
Culture & Historic Preservation Economic Prosperity
Land Use Natural Resources Preservation & Protection
Parks & Recreation Public Services & Infrastructure
Social Services Transportation
This effort was initiated by the planning process and the County of Hawaii General Plan. The steering
committee was most graciously appointed by you, and I truly appreciate being a part of the team. The
County Council confirmed the appointed steering members, and we went on to do our work.~Wyo~rking
Comm. No. J 3
Ref. Toe ~ P~h
R®f, Uate
groups will turn in draft recommendations no later than March ls`, though most will be in by February
I5. We are now readying ourselves to review all ten working group recommendations reports, and to
find the best ways to combine them with other good planning efforts done before this CDP, to develop
a great new Puna CDP.
Unplanned zoning changes like these in Bill 220 or Bill 221 may or may not fit into the end product
very well. They might also create significant new challenges. Changing things now, in critical areas
along highways, on agricultural lands, where people are or aren't in relation to new proposals, should
be put on hold until the PCDP working groups, steering committee and the Planning Dept. are satisfied
with the Puna CDP final draft. This next step will be most interesting! If you can find the time, please
join the Steering Committee at its next meeting. We were told that the consultants will be there to
explain the various deeds of the evaluation process. It is scheduled for February 15, 5:30 pm, at
Kea au Community Center.
For the people who truly need this facility and to the applicant, please suggest the Special Petmit
process. I would not oppose a decision by special permit since it seems urgent to some people, doesn't
affect me or my community, and it does not involve rezoning agricultural lands to something else
during the CBP. For others who have strong feelings about development of the greater Pahoa azea,
please direct them to the CDP process and specifically to the Land Use working group. Alternatively,
individuals, community groups and organizations with no time for working group activities, may
provide constructive input in writing to Planning and to the steering committee by February 15, to be
sure those ideas are also included for consideration. Some communities have already done this.
I sincerely hope the Council reconsiders its first reading decision. I also urge them to further scrutinize
every subsequent land use change request to ensure they are consistent with the General Plan, Planning
Dept. recommendations and the hard work of the community as reflected in the CDP process and
products. I strongly urge the Council to oppose Bill 220/221 at second reading. Please allow the
citizens of Puna the opportunity to complete its CDP product, and to see it through for a better
tomorrow, and request the County Council to resolve its support for the Puna CDP and postpone major
planning decisions for a little while.
But if either or both bills do pass, please veto Bi11220, Bill 221 and others like them.
Thank you kindly, n ~,~'li,,,t ' f,~
1 l~"~ ,~,,~Q
Kim Tavares t ~
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Puna Community Development Plan Steering Committee Member L ~,p ~ P!
Fern Forest, Puna Jw_',~
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