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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0711.140 2008-2010U March 29, 2010 Ken Melrose P.O. Box 109 Kealakekua, HI 96750 Fax: 323 -2304 Ken's Cell: 345 -0854 CflUt ; -„ CLERK E -Mail: melrosek001 Ahawaii.rr.com cOUNTv HAWAII TO: Finance Committee of the County Council From: Ken Melrose Chairman, Action Committee of the Kona CDP AEC': IV ED 2010 111111 31 A19 11 53 Subject: 2010 Planning Dept. Budget, Programs and related Projects. Mr. Chairman and members of the Finance Committee, Good Morning. My name is Ken Melrose and I serve as the Chair of the Action Committee of the Kona CDP. It is with the unanimous support of the committee that I come here today to testify in support of the Planning Dept. Budget and related Programs. In December 2008 the Kona CDP was adopted as ordinance to guide not only the land use growth patterns but also the program and capital project allocations to address the inevitable growth in Kona. In these most challenging of economic times, it is critically important that we do our most with existing resources. With vacant positions getting unfunded, a hiring freeze in place, staff to be put on furloughs and many programs being curtailed by financial necessity, it is most important that we select the highest benefit programs to advance. The core element for effective implementation of the Kona CDP, beside all levels of government becoming familiar with it and internalizing its precepts, is full implementation of the Design Center concept within the Kona office of the Planning Dept. The Deputy Planning Director is now located in Kona (we hope that will continue) and a portion of the Kona office staff is being organized around the Design Center plan review process. Since most of early project consultation and initial submittals for re- zonings and subdivisions etc. still occurs in Hilo, the Planning Dept. internal processes need to be further streamlined there to get the review over to the Design Center in Kona at the very outset of any new project discussions. That transfer of responsibility needs to continue to improve. 70.1q0 Comm. No. Ref. To, r �fC_ Ref. Clare I'AAR 3 1 201u The Kona CDP began the paradigm shift to Smart Growth planning principles and was first to propose the higher concentration of density into Transit Oriented Communities (TODs). The Kona CDP included a template for new design standards for these TODs and anticipated the need to calibrate them to the unique characteristics of Kona. This process began as a work element of the Honokohau TOD master plan, around the new West Hawaii Civic Center. That calibration process seems to have stalled and, to allow timely implementation of the first, and 50% affordable housing targeted, Keahuolu TOD by HFDC, that calibration needs to be completed and, as the first to be considered, to remain focused on the unique characteristics of Kona. The County has recognized this paradigm shift in directing growth to North Kona and has accomplished some remarkable tasks. The greatest one being securing Federal Stimulus grant funding for the new mid -level road, the Anekeohokalole Highway, linking Henry Street at Palani Road to the Civic Center at Kealakehe Parkway and making early provisions to extend that highway to the employment centers on Hina Lani in Kaloko. A high priority is finding additional funds to do the studies for its further extension to the University site, completing this critical linkage. The new District Court site selection process is underway and that should be steered toward one of the first TODs to emerge as a core element of its economic vitality. These are the target zone areas for directing growth in Kona. Re- appropriation of the funds to expand the capacity of the Kealakehe WWTP to serve the new TODs and provisions to accommodate effluent reuse are top priorities of the Division of Environmental Management. The health and safety of North Kona are the top priority of the Fire Dept with their request to re- appropriate funds for the long awaited new Makalei Fire Station. We also hope that funds may be found in the near future to select a site and do design for a new Fire Station toward Hookena and for construction of the now designed new police Station in Capt. Cook to improve health and safety in South Kona. Both are included in the Public Facilities priorities of the Kona CDP. With the long planned and much needed makai arterial from Napoopoo Junction to Queen Kaahumanu Highway at Kahului stalled for a variety of reasons, all solvable in the near future we all hope, the recent tsunami alert brought clear focus on the critical need for mauka -makai connectors, to be evacuation as well as circulation routes, at Lako St. and La'aloa St. Re- appropriation of land acquisition and design money for both is being requested by DPW. Perhaps funds can be found in the near future to 2 complete the studies for the Nani Kailua St. extension down to Alii Drive at Oneo Bay as well. As part of DPW's request for road repair and maintenance funds, we sincerely hope that the widening of sidewalks and inclusion of paths and trails will occur so we see a more complete street standard arise to meet the goal of expanded multi -modal forms of transportation envisioned in the Kona CDP. In all these ways the County has recognized the needs of and hit the bull's eye of the target area for growth in Kona. But, as we pare back the budget, what is missed? And, what can we still do more of? Times still change. New tools and ideas still emerge. Reducing travel expenses in difficult financial times is appropriate, but continuing staff training remains essential. Perhaps more use can be made of the County's video conferencing capacities? Capacity building of staff should not suffer. I'd like to close with our hope that by realigning staff roles the Planning Dept. can do more with the resources they already have. The County GIS system is a powerful tool, always needing improvement however and that needs funding support and staff training. As we seek to concentrate growth, the implicit element of maximizing Open Space and protection of our coastal resources should not be overlooked. Present resources could be focused onto implementing the early steps necessary to identify open space nodes, the hubs and links between and within growth areas. In hope of one day soon being able to find funds to hire a consultant to prepare a plan, staff could assemble the baseline data, identify landowner and community participants and start the dialogue- Getting the pre -plan planning underway. The Kona community wants to see this happen. The Action Committee has asked the Planning Dept. staff to identify opportunities to implement the 17 mile protected coastline from the Old Airport to Kukio and the priority policy for a 1,000' shoreline setback, where parcels exceed 1,000' in depth, along the Kona coastline. Chris Yuen started that assessment list when we were drafting the Kona CDP. So, the file should be found, the trail picked up and the GIS system used to create an exhibit to start discussions on how to accomplish this important goal. Coastal water quality monitoring has historically been a function of the State Dept. of Health, but the obligation to do so is most often set in SMA Use permits approved by the County. Staff could comb the files, find who's already doing monitoring and map it to find gaps, if any, to use in targeting 3 opportunities to expand monitoring. Then collaborate with D o H staff to seek ways to consolidate the data and evaluate the effects. Much can be done with little; it just takes a focus, a persistent commitment and an unwavering support by management. The Action Committee of the Kona CDP has adopted a work plan, including the above tasks and much more, and set key priorities for near term actions. We greatly appreciate the support of the Planning Dept and the engagement of the Kona staff. Together we have made a great start. Together we will continue to do good work, even in these challenging economic times. We ask the County Council to support the Planning Dept in their budget and program support requests and where possible to expand their resources to broaden the program implementation of the Kona CDP. Mahalo for this opportunity to share our support for the Planning Dept. Sincerely, lkIL Ken Melrose Chairman, Action Committee for the Kona CDP CC: Action Committee Members Planning Director Deputy Planning Director Deanne Bugado, Kona CDP supporting staff 4