HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-REZ-2022-000033 J. KERR TESTIMONY 12.12.2022 From: Janice Kerr
To: LPCtestimonv
Cc: Inaba. Holeka; Kanealii-Kleinfelder. Matt; Kierkiewicz.Ashley; Kimball. Heather; Lee Loy. Sue;Villegas. Rebecca;
Kaoiwada,Jennifer;Galimba, Michelle M.; Evans,Cynthia F.W.
Subject: Testimony for Planning Commission Hearing on December 15,2022
Date: Monday, December 12,2022 5:39:59 PM
Importance: High
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS TESTIMONY TO ALL LEEWARD PLANNING
COMMISSION MEMBERS
TESTIMONY RE: PL-REZ-2022-000033 Kona Three LLC
DATE:
December 12, 2022
TO:
Leeward Planning Commission
FROM:
Janice Kerr
76-4320 Leilani St.
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
ikkona e hawaiiantel.net
808-938-1185
1 am respectfully asking you to deny the "KV Three, LLC" request for extension of the 38-year-old building
permit for"Royal Vistas" (which I will refer to as "RV" subsequently)for the following reasons...
This RV development:
1. Is in a Flood Plain*in the North Kona Flood Corridor that drains directly into the Pacific Ocean.
*See Map sent as an attachment to this email: "North
Kona Flood Corridor"
2. Would greatly add to the volume of sewage into our existing sewage treatment facility, which is
currently near capacity and overflows in heavy rains, sending untreated sewage into the ocean.
3. Used a Traffic Study from 2020 "Pandemic Era"for traffic counts, which are not true -Queen
Ka'ahumanu Hwy ("Queen K")is over-capacity now, and has been for a number of years.
4. Will funnel more than 900 more vehicles through small neighborhood streets to Lako St., and from
Lako St. onto Queen K. into the voluminous traffic already there. (No plans for funding to widen
State Hwy 11, which is Queen K)
5. Will further snarl traffic because there aren't sufficient alternate routes to take when Queen K is
closed due to fire, flood, repairs, etc., especially when Kuakini Hwy is also closed at the same due
to the same disaster. (It happened recently and all the Hwy traffic went to Ali'i Dr., which was at a
standstill for hours and hours)
6. Proposes a North-South Road to Queen K that would have "Right-Turn-Only"access into and out
of RV development-vehicles traveling south to RV, would go beyond it to Lako St., and through
neighborhood streets to get into RV; vehicles traveling north to RV would ao to Lako St. and
through neighborhood streets to get into RV. (not helpful)
7. Will not"contain" all the vehicles on the property, many will park on nearby neighborhood streets.
8. Will add traffic to further impede the movement of all types Emergency Vehicles on Queen K.
9. Has no provision for affordable housing, unless you consider the owner's "sale of his RV housing
credits"to himself for a property he owns 3 miles to the north. (Is that even legal?Who will keep
track?)
10. Will not help our housing shortage for essential workers because none these units will be
"affordable".
11. Will have 250 SHORT TERM RENTAL UNITS, 2 Pools &2 Recreation Centers abutting a quiet
residential neighborhood.
12. Will significantly increase current water shortages, which will only get worse with our aging wells.
13. Will bulldoze over the double-rockwall remains of an historical slide, Hawai'ian trails &
archeological artifacts, native bird habitat, and more. (See next point)
14. Is in an area approved for potential purchase by the County of Hawaii to preserve it as open space
by the PUBLIC ACCESS & NATURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION COMMISSION (P.O.N.C.)
as a result of extensive studies certifying the cultural significance of the land.
I trust you will follow Zendo Kern's pronouncement in mid-November as he was quoted in West Hawai'i
Today Newspaper:
"When we receive a request for time extension, we do a top to bottom review of the application,"
Kern said. "This actually reflects the conditions that would be on a brand new, fresh application."
Some conditions that are applicable and should be considered now are:
Shortages of:
Roads
Water
Sewer Capacity
Police
Fire Personnel
Postal Workers
County Workers
Doctors
Nurses
Clinicians
Hospitals
Teachers
Schools
Social Service Workers
Lifeguards
Parks & Recreation Dept Workers
Landfill Space
Recycling Facilities
Please do not overlook the developers' dishonest claim that this project"...meets the goals, policies
and standards of the 'LAND USE-MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL AND HOUSING ELEMENTS OF THE
GENERAL PLAN'..." because RV does not. The exact words used in those 2 elements of our General
Plan state:
> To provide for suitable living environments that accommodate the physical, social and economic needs
OF THE ISLAND RESIDENTS
> Require developers to provide BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY FOR DEVELOPMENT
> Seek sufficient production of new AFFORDABLE rental and fee-simple housing in the CountX...
Please deny this Application for Extension on all these grounds and the obvious fact that this project will
seriously diminish of our current quality of life. When we no longer have infrastructure, people, and
resource shortages, the developers can file a new permit.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Janice Kerr
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