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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-REZ-2022-000033 J. POWELL TESTIMONY 12.12.2022 Araujo, Jaclyn From: Mark Powell <markp50@att.net> Sent: Monday, December 12, 2022 9:06 AM To: LPCtestimony Subject: Item 1. Kona Three LLC (PL-REZ-000033) Testimony, Please include in the Commissioners Packets Aloha Leeward Planning Commissioners, First of all the Environmental Report is in accurate. These types of high density projects need to be closer to the Village so as to not encourage driving for services such as grocery, drug, restaurants, and bus service, etc. In December 2018 the Applicants and there consultant Mr. Zendo Kern met with the owners of the Kona Vistas subdivision to unveil their plans for the property listed in the application. Most owners were shocked at the size and scope of the project. After their presentation a special homeowners meeting was held the following week. With standing room only all the HOA members wanted the board to oppose the project as planned. The board voted unanimously (7-0) to oppose this project as planned. (Planning Director Conflict??) Not at any time has the applicants or consultant met with the owners about their major concerns and try and reach an agreement, which should have happened. However this proposed project should be rejected for many reasons. Most of all letting Any Short Term Vacation Rentals. This goes against everything the County says it needs in housing and only be allowed in certain Resort Areas. Are normal citizens going to be able to afford the rents, purchase price, and monthly condo fees? Will there be CC&R's? It doesn't fit with the surrounding properties of single and two story family homes. There buildings need to be limited to a height of 25 feet. Less blocking of views. Using Kekuanaoa Place for the major entry and exit is way too dangerous. The grade near Lako exceeds County standards. It is blind turning off Lako down the steep grade and twelve short driveways are all along this street which 4 are very close to Lako. This street has a limited view (turn) of Lako when pulling out and on a curve. Standard curbs, gutters, and sidewalks would need to be installed if this road is chosen. Traffic then should be limited to just that street No others, no turning on to other streets to prevent running all over the neighborhood endangering existing residents and children. i A much better and the safest street would be Liholiho Place. A very short dead end street that only has five driveways all with a clear view. Also a better view up and down Lako. The applicants own the property between the dead end street and the project so it isn't a problem. Doesn't follow the County's plan of Mauka to Makai roads which is extremely important in emergencies such as fire, earthquake, etc, connect with I'O place at the top. All roads in there complete project needs to be County roads. No Private Gates blocking roads in there project. Asking for a 10 year permit extension is ridiculous being so much changes during that time. I haven't heard of any buildings the applicants have ever built. Who's going to build it? The scared land would just sit there until they can sell it to some builder. No significant work was ever done for over 20 plus years so what makes anyone think it can be done now. No significant work was ever done when a permit was in place and the permit was extended several times. Because the move of business being built north this plan should be moved north for job housing. Drainage is a major factor now so adding these ugly monster structures (200 feet X 200 feet X 40+foot tall) and roads will dramatically increase runoff and flooding in the lower areas. If you look at the FEMA flood map, most of this property should be unbuildable. We just have major flooding of Kuakini last month and last week which closed the road. The blocking of views of existing homes is also major factor along with decreased values looking at these out of place monster structures. Height limit of 25 feet! Should be enforced. The land has proven to have major Pre and Post contact artifacts. Only one small area of 5 acres was lightly probed with a shovel finding some significant finds. This must be explored fully before any permitting. It appears the consultant just passed off the threatened and endangered specs. We know and see the hawks and Pueo (owls) there. The Pueo nest in or on the ground and live in lower trees. These animals do live and hunt this property. It doesn't appear they did any sound testing for the Hoary bats. That was brought out in the first environmental report that testing needed to be done at a certain time of year. The giant moth is another one that needs more work in finding true answers. The number 1 threats to the above specs is collision with man- made structures/buildings, loss of habitat/tree cover. Also the high potential of shore bird kills hitting the glass or structures. Facts that the consultant missed, Pueo (owls) have nest scrapes in or on the ground and up to 10 feet off the ground. Hoary bats nest usually 8 to 16 feet off the ground feeding in areas of foliage. This needs to be really studied along with the Giant Moth. The consultant missed everything including National trails. 2 The highway needs to be fully widened to 4 lanes. The County, and Applicant needs to work with the State on a complete plan for the widening. More of their property may be needed and the State may need there fill for the widening. Traffic at Lako is always an issue. Some of the problems are no right turn lane on Lako, no north bound acceleration lane from Lako, Kuakini highway has 2 south bound merge lanes which cause cars to move into other lanes (left up Lako, right down Lako, or get into the middle lane to go south) in a very short distance that cause more backups and accidents. The best for all would be bring Kuakini straight to their proposed entry and install a signal light which can be synchronized with the Lako light. Much safer for all and traffic would move better. This application needs to be rejected until the above issues are worked out. Planning now will save later. Mahalo John Powell Kailua-Kona markp50@att.net 3