HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0132.000 1996-1998 Keola Childs
75-5648 C Mamalahoa Hwy.
Holualoa, HI 96725
Ph (808) 896-1145/Fax (808) 332-6118
January 28, 1997
Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Chair
Committee on Planning gErryVED
Hawaii County Council _---ny____---------••:
25 Aupuni Sheet rT~ ~ Rq~%---------------.°
Hilo, HI 96720 Date-.°--County Council/P--~ Pc
RE: Bill 371 -General Plan Amendment
Oceanside 1250 Retreat Resort Designation
Dear Chair Leithead-Todd and Members:
Thank you for scheduling a special committee meeting in Kona to accept testimony and
deliberate on Kona land use matters.
I fully support the proposed amendment to the Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide Map
of the County General Plan to allow fora "Retreat Resort" allocation in the five mile belt
between Keauhou and Kaawaloa.
The ?andowner of this particular property, who wishes to provide a retreat resort facility,
is, in particular, to be commended as perhaps the first developer to seek out a path and
process of land use approvals for alodge-type project that directly involves the County
Council and its processes and sanctions, rather than skirting all written land use policies
through seeking a Special Permit from the Planning Commission, as an exceptional use.
Not only does this ftu~Cher demonshate the integrity of the landowner, but it expresses a
confidence that, in the end, the democratic process works.
Since the development plan for the 1500 acre development called "Villages at
Hokukano" was first announced to the public some five years ago, and public
informational meetings were held by the landowner-developer in North and South Kona
- I had attended one of these as a citizen in early 1992 -the concept of a '9odge" of
roughly 100 rooms has always been a key, up front element of their plan. This use was
stated and re-stated in their zoning applications and environmental assessment
documents, and I believe was also identified in the archaeological study and mitigation
plan. For economic and practical reasons, this low-density, clustered, open space -
based use - a retreat resort -was seen then, and is seen today, as critical to the viability
and success of the proposed "Villages at Hokukano" development.
The development o'f the Villages at Hokukano project will be a highly valued addition Yo
our Kona community because of the extensive public benefits that it will provide to
citizens of the Central Kona area: a critically needed by-pass highway, coastal access,
managed preservation of a significant area of Hawaiian archaeological sites, and a 2.5
mile public coastal greenbelt park, privately maintained, which will be unmatched in the
State of Hawaii for its length and width. The first phase of the coastal park is to open
with the retreat resort being proposed here today. i;omm. DIo.~_
Y1b Ha ~w
Presented S'~n. I C
del. tot
~a+. i,.., ~ ~~,ti 1_~~~ -
Bill 371 -General Plan Anrendmeut
January 28, 1997
Pane 2
As to the amendment of the General Plan to accommodate [he designation of a retreat
resort in this location, I parCictdarly support this as land use policy because it provides a
very powerful statement for the importance of maintaining low densities and open space
in this transitional belt between West Hawaii's southernmost Major Resort Area -
Keauhou -and the rugged, truly rural South Kona region running south from
Kealakekua Bay. A retreat resort commands open space; the 2.5 mile coastal
conservation park just below this lodge site, the low impact recreational uses planned to
surround to the site, and the cluster of residential areas elsewhere in this 1500 acre
project all secure this concept.
Finally, I would like to address the General Plan LUPAG map itself. I note that the
General Plan LUPAG Map is intended to depict the written policies of the General Plan,
and that 1989 plan allocates 90 acres for resort use in South Kona. It is my
understanding that only half of that Plan allocation is depicted on the current LUPAG
map -that being in the Keei - Flonaunau area.
And, absolutely none of the lands in that currently designated portion of the planned
allocation have actually been proposed for zoning [o allow resort development.
Inasmuch as the current version of the General Plan is now eight years old, and the
document calls for its Land Use Acreage Allocation to be reviewed at ten year intervals,
it is clearly reasonable to re-evaluate and amend what was only a partial allocation to
begin with.
Please note that on page 18 of the General Plan, under the Resm•t section, M(6), of its
Statement of Development Objectives, Standards and Principles, the Plan provides that:
"The county shall re-evaluate existing undeveloped resort designated and/or
zoned areas and reallocate resort designated and/or zoned lands in appropriate
locations."
This was not a statement that the next General Plan update should take that into
account; it says that under the current General Plan, the county should make this re-
evaluation and re-allocation. Now, eight years into the General Plan, this is bearing
fruit; the Planning director has done so, and is recommending this minor change in the
Kona area at this time - a change so minor that it is still fully consistent the acreage
allocation set forth in 1959.
'Phis project will have great value and bring many benefits to the working people of
Kona, especially those who pioneered the economy and society we have here today.
Please support this amendment with your favorable vote.
Sincerely,
Keola Childs