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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0148.004 2006-2008 DOMINIC YAGONG q Phone: (808) 961-8538 Council Member y~''~ Fax: (808) 961-8912 District of HamSkua Y [':'t y' 7 ~ Iii ~i i I ;i .1. HAWAl7 COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 April 16, 2007 To: Pete Hoffrnamm, Chairman And Members of the Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Hamakua Lands Ad Hoc Committee Report Dear Chairman Hoffrnan and Councilmember's, The Hawaii County Council approved Resolution 60-07 entitled; RESOLUTION TO POSTPONE PENDING PUBLIC AUCTION OF HAMAKUA LANDS IN PAAUILO, TAX MAP KEYS (TMK'S) (3) 4-3-07:01; 4-3-09:19; 4-3-09:24; 4-2-11:01 AND 4-3-11:02, TO ENABLE THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL TO FORMULATE A PLAN OF LAND DISPOSITION TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS ON HAWAII ISLAND. The resolution called for the formulation of an Ad Hoc Committee that would help to formulate a plan of land disposition. The committee would be named the Hamakua Land Ad Hoc Committee (HLAHC), with Councihnember's Angel Pilago, Pete Hoffman, Brenda Ford and Dominic Yagong as members. The HLAHC gathered input from the community by facilitating meetings throughout the Hamakua District. A publicly advertised meeting was also held in Keauhou-Kona. The HLAHC was sensitive to the fact that although the lands were located in Hamakua these lands in fact belongs to the entire County of Hawaii. This led to the committee formulating a survey to provide an opportunity for island wide input via a cut out poll. This poll ran in the Hawaii Tribune Herald and the West Hawaii Today newspaper on April 11`s & 12a', 2007. The results of the community meetings and newspaper poll are attached for your review. The HLAHC recognizes that the Mayor was authorize through Resolution No. 161-02 (sale by auction, land exchange by negotiation, and short-term lease by auction, seal bids or negotiation), which was approved on January 23, 2002. The authorization by the council in 2002 was supported, in part, to address a possible $10 - 14 million dollar shortfall in the upcoming operating budget. The HLAHC also recognizes that our fiscal situation have improved considerably, as our operating budget in 2007-08 hovers at $360 million, versus a $206 million budget in 2002. Comm. Ho• Ref. Tc>R Ref. DaFe APR 1~_7 7f1(1:_- Hamakua Lands Ad Hoc Committee April 16, 2007 Page -2- Through public input the HLAHC reports that an overwhelming majority of Hawaii County residents does not believe that the 735 acres of public land in Pa`auilo should be sold to the highest bidder through a public auction process as stated in the environmental assessment prepared by PBR Hawaii. The HLAHC determines that there is overwhelming community input that states that the Honorable Mayor Harry Kim should abandon the plan to sell these lands at Public Auction to the highest bidder. Instead, overwhelming public input states that the County should come up with a plan using public input to utilize these 735 acres of public lands. The community provided multiple suggestions for the use of these public lands which are outlined on the attached summary. The HLAHC recognizes that the community wishes to be part of the planning process that helps to formulate the disposition of the properties. More importantly, many residents view these lands as a public asset that through proper planning, can lead to opportunities for our island residents. The community expressed frustration of the escalating price of land and homes that virtually pushes many island residents out of the land and housing mazket. Many residents expressed that these County own lands provides for hope for an affordable housing project, leasing opportunities for agriculture activities, growing sustainable forestry, ranching, recreational opportunities, open space and agricultural lots. Many agree that these lands represent an opportunity lost if we were to continue on the path of public auction for the entire 735 acres of land. The HLAHC also recognizes that a public auction of a portion of these properties could be part of the overall scheme of disposition of these lands. Mayor Kim has suggested that proceeds of such sales could be utilized to purchase property better suited for an affordable housing project. The HLAHC has determined that Mayor Kim's suggestion should not be ruled out, and may be a pazt of the overall plan regarding the 735 acres. However, the HLAHC is strongly opposed to the current plan of auctioning off the entire 735 acres of County land in Paulo. It is the HLAHC recommendation that the administration abandon the current plan to sell the entire 735 acres of land at public auction. Further, the HLAHC will be proposing a resolution which supports formulating a partnership between the administration, county council and community in working together to bring forth a disposition plan for the entire 735 acres of County land. The HLAHC would like to thank Councilmember's Stacy Higa, Donald Ikeda, Bob Jacobson, Emily Naeole and J Yoshimoto for their patience and willingness to allow the ad hoc committee to gather community input on this important matter. On behalf of the committee, I would also like to express our deepest appreciation to members of our community that took the time to come out to meetings, as well as filling out the newspaper poll to express your opinion. Finally, a great big mahalo to Mayor Kim and his administration for allowing us the opportunity to bring information forwazd that is intended to serve the people of the County of Hawaii. Warmest Aloha, Dominic Yago HLAHC Member Town Zi Code No, Abandon Auction Yes, Sell at Public Auction Ca tain Cook 96704 5 0 Hakalau 96710 3 1 Hilo 96720 48 8 Hilo 96721 8 0 Holualoa 96725 2 0 Honokaa 96727 41 0 Honomu 96728 4 0 Kailua Kona 96745 6 0 Kailua-Kona 96740 37 0 Kamuela 96743 23 0 Ka aau 96755 1 0 Keaau 96749 13 1 Kealakekua 96750 4 0 Kurtistown 96760 2 0 Lau ahoehoe 96764 5 1 Mountain View 96771 1 0 Naalehu 96772 1 0 Ninoole 96773 1 0 Oceanview 96737 1 1 Ookala 96774 4 0 Paauhau 96727 1 0 Paauilo 96776 16 1 Pahoa 96778 14 1 Pa aaloa 96780 3 0 Pa aikou 96781 3 0 Pe ekeo 96783 8 0 Volcano 96785 2 0 Waikoloa 96738 5 0 Total 262 14 No, Abandon Auction 262 95% Yes, Public Auction 14 5% Total Res onses 276 100% Hamakua Lands Ad Hoc Committee Report April 5, 2007 Re: Community Meetings Held At Honoka'a, Pa`auilo, O'okala, Pepe`ekeo, Papa'aloa, Pauka'a, and Keauhou-Kona The following is a synopsis of community input gathered during these meetings regarding the disposition of 735 acres of public lands in Pa'auilo. ? Large parcels to be broken down into smaller parcels for sale or leasing for agricultural activities. ? Sell some parcels to cover infrastructure cost of affordable housing project. ? County needs to insure that any affordable housing project is truly affordable whereby the price range would fall below $200,000 to enable people to qualify for loans. ? Divide portions of these lands into 5-acre agricultural parcels. ? Divide portion into 1, 2, or 3-acre parcels for residential lots. ? Work with State legislature regarding water solution for possible funding. Also check for Federal funding. ? County should not eliminate the possibility of utilizing these lands for an affordable housing project due to lack of water. Water catchment is a viable alternative that fits into this rural agricultural lifestyle. ? Lands should go to residents that genuinely will utilize these lands for agriculture purposes, and should not be utilized for "gentleman farmers". ? Self-help housing project is supported as means of addressing the affordable housing crisis on our Island. These County lands should be utilized for aself- help housing project. ? If the County utilizes these lands for an affordable housing project, application review should include drug use for prospective home buyers. ? Hamakua Ag Plan recognized the need for affordable agricultural base housing and these lands would provide an opportunity for this purpose. ? Sub-stations for Police and Fire Departments, and other emergency services. Page -2- ? Get together with Sen. Lorraine Inouye and Rep. Dwight Takamine, to assist with general funding for affordable housing in Hamakua region. ? Lands should be considered for an Elderly housing project in Hamakua. ? Abandon the plan to sell these lands (735 acres) at public auction to the highest bidder. ? Possible land exchange with another parcel that is ready for affordable housing. For example, land by Brantley Center or closer to Honoka'a town center. ? Model kit homes should be considered to keep cost down, and make it truly affordable housing project. ? Need to keep affordable so that people can afford to purchase whether it be just lots and/or house and lot package deal. ? It should be considered to zone these properties as an Agricultural Park district which would direct these lands to be utilized for agriculture purposes. ? Agricultural Long-term lease i.e. 20 - 30 years with annual County inspection regarding caretaking of property. Lands should not be sold, but leased indefinitely for growing coffee, vanilla, etc. etc. ? County should still have ownership of lands with possible lease of lands but allow constructing of a home on the land. Land should be held in public trust so that affordable housing inventory would be held in perpetuity. ? Land should be kept as open space whereby no development is allowed on these properties. ? Allowing for ranching would fit in with the rural character of the surrounding properties and would allow these lands to remain in open space. ? For maximum profit, these lands should be broken down into 5, 10, and 20-acre parcels to be sold to residents of the County of Hawaii. ? County of Hawaii should consider leasing or selling these lands to members of the community that are long time residents of Hawaii. We should provide opportunity for the local people that have been pushed out of the land/house buying market. ? County should sell a portion of these lands to purchase property suitable for an affordable housing project. ? Land should remain in agriculture and not be utilized for any housing development. Keep Hamakua agriculture. Page -3- ? Do not auction off these lands to the highest bidder because it would eliminate the opportunities for local people to compete for these lands. ? Auction of these lands is shortsightedness and eliminates opportunities for the people of our Island. ? These lands should not be auctioned; however, public input is the most important element to proceeding with a plan for these lands. ? The County Council should tell Mayor Kim to please give the local people an opportunity for these lands. We are the owner of these properties and it should benefit the people. ? The escalating price of land has pushed the local people out of the land market which has diminished hope of many young families throughout our Island. Give our people a chance by providing this opportunity. ? If we sell the property, the money would go into the big black hole called the "General Fund". The County budget is fat and does not need additional funds from this land sale. ? These lands should not be utilized to create urban density and large housing development. Keep lands in agriculture or utilize only a portion of these lands for housing. The key is to keep land in agriculture. ? Roads and infrastructure will be a challenge for these properties. County should keep this in mind when planning for the disposition of these lands. ? Lands belong to everyone on this island, and the County should seek input from throughout the Island. ? The Ad Hoc Committee was recognized for allowing the people to be part of the process in dealing with this land issue. ? Lands should be utilized for growing sustainable hardwood trees to compliment our forestry industry. This would allow for the lands to be harvested in the future thus providing income for the County of Hawaii. ? Lands should be developed into a County park for recreational purposes. ? Lands should be considered for ATV and Dirt biking recreational opportunities.