HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0977.023 2010-2012QUEEN LILI`UOKALANI TRUST
101t. Nf.,.e)
October 20, 2010
Testimony of LeeAnn Crabbe, Vice President
In Consideration of
Resolution 405 -10
Proposing to Authorize the Exemption of Certain
Hawaii County Code Requirements
for the Proposed Kamakana Villages Project
The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chair
and Members of the Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Aloha Chair Yoshimoto and Members of the Hawaii County Council:
I am LeeAnn Crabbe, Vice President and speaking on behalf of the Queen Lili'uokalani Trust
(QLT). QLT owns the land above, south and below the project area and in fact conveyed the
land that this proposed project would be built upon.
As a responsible community member for the past century that will continue to exist in perpetuity,
QLT is sincerely concerned about the significant impact the development of the Kamakana
Villages project will have on the Kona community, especially the surrounding neighborhoods
and residents.
This mixed -use affordable housing project is being fast tracked at the state and county levels
pursuant to section 201H of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. In addition, under this state law, its
developer, Forest City Hawaii, is requesting 56 exemptions from Hawaii County Code
requirements. Note that these 56 exemptions apply not only to the affordable housing
component, but also to the half of the project that represents market housing and 197,000 square
feet of commercial space.
The exemption request we find most troublesome is item #31 on page 21, an exemption from
Hawaii County Code Sec. 25 -2 -46, concurrency requirements under the Kona Community
Development Plan. In regards to traffic, this would allow Forest City Hawaii to be exempt from:
1. The requirement to perform or otherwise satisfy Area Mitigation requirements.
2. The requirement for acceptable traffic levels of service prior to occupancy of the project.
This request by Forest City to avoid the minimal requirements of traffic mitigation will allow the
developer to ignore the mounting problems of traffic congestion in Kona, a problem that will be
compounded by its project. Comm. No. 9 77. L3
Ref. To fry* Gunk/
Ref. Date OCT 2 0 2010
Alakea Corporate Tower. 1100 Alakea Street. Suite 1100. Honohilu. HI 96812 Telenhnna IRnRI 9n'. -el en Farcimilo mop) 9OQ_a1 G1
The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chair
and Members of the Hawaii County Council
Page 2 of 2
October 19, 2010
QLT supports affordable housing projects that enhance the quality of life for our community.
However, the quality of life for our community cannot be compromised by inadequate investment
into the infrastructure for any development project, affordable or not. With more housing and
commercial projects being proposed in Kona, every developer must pay a fair share to improve
our transportation infrastructure. If Forest City Hawaii does not pay its fair share, the burden will
fall on the community at large. QLT estimates this burden to reach into the tens of millions of
dollars.
Forest City Enterprises, the parent company of Forest City Hawaii, is a national real estate
company with nearly $12 billion in assets, including $200 million in cash and second quarter
profits of $12 million. Forest City and it shareholders can afford to invest in transportation
planning and infrastructure. The burden of mitigating the impacts caused by this project should
be borne by shareholders, not Hawaii taxpayers.
We ask that Forest City show its commitment to the long -term health and safety of our
community by investing in our infrastructure with the proper mitigation measures to ease traffic
congestion.
The beneficiaries QLT exists to serve have felt the challenges of the hard times facing our state.
The state government has had to cut back social services for people who need help the most. So,
QLT has increased its outreach to help more families. In that same spirit, we hope that Forest
City will invest to make our roadways safer and less congested, and ease the burden on our
community.
Accordingly, QLT recommends that Resolution 405 -10 not be authorized in its current form.
The exemption from Hawaii County Code Sec. 25 -2 -46, concurrency requirements, should not be
authorized.
Thank you for this opportunity to express our concerns.
Res)pe�ctffull submitted,
LeeAnn Crabbe
Vice President