HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-SLU-2022-008-PL-REZ-2022-039 06.13.23 K. Counter Opposition Testimony within 48 hrs From: Kristin Counter
To: LPCtestimonv
Subject: Testimony for KAUPULEHU LAND LLC Applications
Date: Tuesday,June 13,2023 2:51:12 PM
My name is Kristin Counter, I live in Waimea, and am writing to oppose the rezoning and state land
use amendment applications proposed by KAUPULEHU LAND LLC.
I understand the committee has a difficult job in balancing individual property rights and requests
with what is best for the community overall.
The applicant continues to push for as many residential lots as possible in the mauka section of the
property. It seems like an attempt to simply maximize a return on investment by having as many
sellable lots as possible on this beautiful agricultural lot. It isn't enough to pave it into a 3 parcel,
19,000 square foot commercial subdivision with parking lot, the applicant is also seeking to
completely chop up the back 3 acres as well. I don't see why both have to be approved.
This committee had concerns about the previous application and the attempt to rezone the mauka
portion to Urban, which allowed for six RS-10 parcels. The applicant has simply swapped that for a
Rural rezoning for five RA-.05 parcels. Rural sounds better than Urban on paper, but aside from
dropping one of the lots, it is the same effort to maximize development of the parcel.
The image below shows the subject parcel (red star) is completely surrounded by Ag-5 or larger
parcels. By allowing the mauka portion to be converted from Ag-5 to RA-.05 this committee is
setting a precedent for adjacent and nearby parcels to do the same.
Why should the applicant also be allowed to further chop up the mauka portion of this
agricultural property into 5 parcels?Why not just keep the largest ag lot possible?
Is the committee ready to set that as the precedent for all the surrounding properties?
In addition, the subject property is entirely in a flood zone, with the most serious flood risk running
right through the front of the commercial section of the property and back of the residential lots.
I understand the buildings will have to meet building guidelines for flood zones, but how will
neighboring parcels be impacted by runoff once all this has been developed, especially when close
to half of the land will be paved over? We experienced sudden and devastating rain this past
December that flooded the street and parking lot across from the parcel. This development is sure
to have an impact and it could be to homes and businesses nearby.
Finally, the community simply doesn't want this. Last time these applications were presented, a
petition circulated and obtained hundreds of votes against the proposals. It seemed like the
overwhelming opposition was discounted because it ran on social media. But social media is the
new public square, where information flows. A handful of letters to neighbors and in-person
testimony is not truly gaining public feedback.
I, like many others in this community, have work on the day of the hearing, and cannot attend. I
hope voices and concerns aren't discounted because we are unable to personally appear.
Thankyou