HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0315.003 2018-2020 COMM.315
P/PC
Comments on Bills 83 and 84 re. Olson property in Pu'u'eo
for Hawai'i County Council Planning Committee, 1 PM Tuesday, June 18, 2019, Kona chambers
from Cory Harden, Hilo
Before approving rezoning, please do the following:
1 - Require an Archaeological Inventory Survey and Burial Treatment Plan.
In March 2016, SHPD (State Historic Preservation Division)found that a cemetery on the
property was seriously damaged by illegal grubbing. SHPD recommended a fine of almost
$65,000 and said
"..the property owner did not comply with County requirements to obtain permits prior to initiation
of ground disturbing activities and persisted with those activities after being directed to stop b i -
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the County and being notified by SHPD of damage to historic properties. Furthermore, the
continued activities resulted in additional damage to historic properties, even in areas the
property owner advised SHPD that there were no plans for ground disturbing activities..."
December 8, 2017 letter from SHPD to DLNR
In January 2018, according to Olson trust, Mr. Olson and his lawyer met with SHPD and the
Attorney General and denied "all fault and wrongdoing".
timeline provided by Olson Trust at June 7, 2019 meeting at Clem Akina Center
A few weeks ago, DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) told Civil Beat the
complaint was"under review and we won't be commenting on it."
DLNR spokesperson A.J. McWhorter, quoted in https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/06/big-island-
residents-wary-of-subdivision-after-bulldozers-damage-cemetery/
So it's unclear what happened, but let's do the right thing for any burials.
2 -Obtain a written opinion from SHPD that it's okay to proceed with rezoning. All I've seen is informal
statements from the Planning Department and Olson Trust that SHPD said okay.
3-Require that people buying lots be notified they may run across old plantation burials and inform them
of legal requirements if they do.
Residents say several plantation camps in the area each had their own burial areas, but wooden
grave markers have rotted away.
comments at June 7, 2019 meeting, and haps.,//tvww.civilbeat.org/2019/06/big-island-residents-wary-of-
subdivision-after-bulldozers-damage-cemetery/
4—Add conditions to help reduce homelessness. For example:
Require a higher percentage of affordable housing than normally required
Require properties to remain affordable for more years than normal
Set lower prices
Prohibit the landowner from asking for more lenient requirements in the future
The 2018 Point-in-Time count found about 900 homeless people on Hawai'i Island. Statewide,
about twice as many homeless, compared to the Point-in-Time count, sought services to prevent
or alleviate homelessness.
https://www.westl7awaiitoday.com/2019/01/31/l7awaii-news/misinformed-hawaii-island-homeless-
problem-exacerbated-by-widespread-misconceptions/
Comm. No,-
Ref.
o Ref. To:
.Ref. Date JUN 1
5-Assume the highest density of development that will be allowed, when considering impacts and setting
conditions.
Planning Department staff said"...they're not required to develop this 51-lot subdivision. They
can realign it, add lots, subtract lots...up to what the zoning would allow."
transcript of May 2, 2019 Planning Commission meeting, p. 2
Mr. Olson said he plans to sell the land, preferably"in bulk".
https:Ilwww.ha waiitribune-herald.coml2019lO3l2llhawaii-news/residential-subdivision-proposed-
for-puueo/
6-Add conditions to prevent flooding.
Residents are saying there is already flooding downslope of the Olson property.
comments at June 7, 2019 meeting at Clem Akina Center