HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-25 Letter from Applicant Regarding Community Outreach DISTRIBUTED AT LPC 8-9-23 HEARING
Item #3 Joan Hunziker(PL-SPP-2023-036)
SidneyFuke, Planning consultant 2023-06-25 Ltr from Applicant Re: Community Outreach
�•�� P.O.Box •Hilo,liawai'i 96720 •Planning•variance•Zoning
(80
Cell:(808)98 989-0640 •subdivision•Land use Permits
E-mail:sidneyfuke@gmail.com •Environmental Reports
June 25, 2023
Mr. Zendo Kern, Director
Planning Department
COUNTY OF HAWAH
101 Pauahi Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Mr. Kern:
Subject: Special Permit Application (PL-SPP-2023-000036)
Applicant—Joan Hunziker
Auhaukeae 1st, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-012: 091
The applicant requested that I inform you and the Leeward Planning Commission
of her outreach efforts to date.
Prior to the May 19, 2023, Leeward Planning Commission (which was
postponed), on May 11, the applicant emailed and/or hand delivered the following
communication to her neighbors:
"Aloha Neighbors:
Someone in our community kindly informed me you've signed
a document outlining concerns about my application for a B&B.
If you did not, please excuse your inclusion here. If you know
others who did, but are unnamed, please forward this email to them_
I'm seeking a permit to operate as a B&B, because they are
regulated and subject to public scrutiny. STVRs & hosted rentals,
on the other hand, are largely unregulated, and as a result can
create various issues and tension among neighbors. Witness
our own neighborhood. I wish to be transparent and lawful with
the use of my property. And if such usage should prove disruptive,
or in any other way inappropriate, the permit can be revoked.
In case you're unaware, I've hosted a short-term rental for the
past nine months to determine if I wished to operate as a B&B. It has
provided an incredible opportunity to meet wonderful people from
around the world. Not a single unpleasant event, and the property
consistently has earned Super Host status with an unbroken 5 Star
record. As a B&B there will be little change to the operation or the
quality of the guests it attracts.
Mr. Zendo Kern, Director
June 25, 2023
Page 3
On May 11, 20231 emailed you and various neighbors, and hand
delivered to others, the following communication:
(See Above)
There were ten days between the time the note above was distributed,
and the Commission hearing;yet neither you, nor anyone else, responded to my
appeal to meet prior. Instead, you chose to take matters to the Planning
Commission. Given the dearth of County resources, public officials would
like neighborhood issues to be settled by neighbors.
We have another opportunity, prior to the Commission hearing on
July 20th, to address neighborhood concerns, rather than leaning into
public resources. Again, 1"m requesting to meet, so I might assuage
concerns.
Aloha—Joan"
Notwithstanding the concerns raised by some of her neighbors, it is
maintained that her request is consistent with the guidelines for a Special Permit and, if
approved, she will operate her B&B respectfully, as she has done to date with her legal
hosted STVR.
Thank you very much!
inc`e�rel ,
� 1
00
SIDNEY M. FUKE
Planning Consultant
cc Ms. Joan Hunziker via email
Mr. Zendo Kern, Director
June 25, 2023
Page 2
As a fellow resident, I have and will strive to be a good neighbor
and address reasonable concerns you might have. in the interim, I would
be more than happy to sit down and discuss any of your concerns prior
to the meeting.
Mahalo! Joan Hunziker(307)421-3328"
There was no response from the recipients to her request to discuss the
concerns.
After the postponed May 19 meeting, she received the following May 19 email
from Ms. Cynthia Milani, one of the neighbors (PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL
HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS ARE FROM THE SENDERS):
"Joan,
1 am sorry you did not care to understand the concerns of
your neighbors regarding your application for a three bedroom Bed and
Breakfast permit. 1 had no problem with you renting out your Ohana, which
is illegal and not allowed in our CC&Rs.
Fifteen lot owners signed a letter of concern and now there is time
to gather more signatures and testimony for the July hearing.
Understand this is not personal but not wanted in this community.
!was told you made a statement threatening to sue us. 1 am not sure on
what account.
Aloha,
Cynthia"
In a June 5 email, the applicant responded as follows.-
"Hello Cynthia:
The remarks highlighted in your email below are incorrect.
What is significant is that you, and certain neighbors,
failed to provide me the opportunity to address neighborhood
concerns. It's not a matter of me being indifferent to them,
but rather you choosing to use the Planning Commission as
a vehicle to vent frustrations, rather than communicating to
me directly.