HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-SMA-2022-000018, PL-SPP-2022-000018 12.27.22 T. WITHINGTON TESTIMONYDeVera, Ashley
From: toni withington <sundownertoni@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2022 4:00 PM
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: testimony for January 19 meeting
Attachments: GM test to LPC re Retreat Center 12-22.docx
Aloha,
Here is testimony from the NKCDP Growth Management Group to Items 1 and 2 on the
agenda of the LPC for January 19.
Toni Withington
December 27, 2022
To: Michael Vitousek, Chair
Leeward Planning Commission
From: Growth Management Group
North Kohala Community Development Plan
Subject: Ahu Pohaku Ho'omaluhia LLC Amendments to PL -SMA 2022-000018 and
SPL -SPP 2022-000018 for TMK 5-4-009:014, North Kohala
Aloha Chair Vitousek and Commissioners,
The Growth Management Group of the North Kohala Community Development Plan
Advisory Group discussed the above items 1 and 2 on your agenda at its monthly
meeting December 14, 2022. Ms Jean Sunderland and her representative attended
the meeting to explain the intent to expand the number of units available at the
Hawaii Island Retreat. She explained that all existing structures are covered by
county permits. The new hale units will be within the 5 -acre allocation for the
existing SPP and SMA. They will be scattered among two existing clusters of trees
and therefore not obtrusive. The retreat currently employs 12 full-time employees
and three paid agricultural interns. The Public Access Grant of Easement for vehicle
and pedestrian use was recorded in 2009 and includes an adjoining coastal
property.
The finding of the group is that the amended SMA and SPP will benefit the
community in creating additional jobs, reflect the district's agricultural nature, and
provide a distinctly Kohala experience for visitors and retreat attenders. Because
the Public Access Agreement is one of the first approved in Kohala, the wording
may not be as binding to the county as the current wording proscribed by the
Planning Department. The group decided to request that the Kohala Community
Access Group, also a part of the NKCDP, review the plan to suggest any changes, if
needed. Otherwise, we support your passage of the amendments to the SPP and
SMA permits.
Toni Withington, Acting Chair