HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-SMA-2023-000038 12.18.23 Liz Berecz Testimony Araujo, Jaclyn
From: Liz Berecz <Iizberecz01 @gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2023 7:25 AM
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Kona Hawaii Development (PL-SMA-2023-000038)
Attachments: Leeward Planning Commission Letter 12.18.23.pdf
Aloha,
Attached is my written testimony regarding the above proposed development that is coming before the Planning
Commission later this week. If you could confirm receipt, I would appreciate it! Mahalo!
Liz
Liz Berecz
Iizberecz01(aD-pmai1 com
949-701-0701
1
To: Leeward Planning Commission, County of Hawaii
From: Elizabeth Berecz, owner of 75-5870 Kahakai Road, Unit 408, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Re: Proposed Kona Hawaii Development LLC Application (PL-SMA-2023-000038)
Aloha,
I am currently an owner within the Hale Kona Kai (HKK) complex located on Kahakai Road directly across
from this proposed development. I generally agree with the idea of developing this area as it currently
contains an abandoned concrete foundation (an eyesore to the community); however, there are several
concerns that I have with the proposed plan and I respectfully ask the Committee to not approve the
plan in its current form. My concerns are as follows:
-While stated as a 100-unit hotel development,the Type-C unit has three entry doors.This allows
the option for the hotel to implement a "lock-off" option, creating a 151-unit hotel.This is a
significant intensification of use from the previously approved 48 condominiums and should
trigger more significant scrutiny for environmental impacts.
-There have been no traffic studies conducted. In 2018 it was deemed unnecessary,
but when we are talking about adding 151 units with stairs that lead to the entrance of the HKK parking
lot,the addition of pedestrians on Kahakai Road, and the added vehicular traffic, it seems a study
should be required. Kahakai Road is a much narrower thoroughfare than Ali'i Drive.
- Parking was stated as 145 spaces, but the developer has acknowledged that there are only 143
spaces.This is completely inadequate for 151 hotel units and the staff needed on site to work and
maintain the property.
-The height of the building is only described from the Ali'i side of the building as being 40 feet.
Along Kahakai Road,the impact of adding 40 feet of structure on top of the 25 feet of retaining
wall and parking structure will create a building that towers over Hale Kona Kai, blotting the
morning sun and creating a canyon of Kahakai Road.The projected images from the west side of
the development are completely absent from the report. Even some of the included images show
a landscape barrier in what is actually the office building of C.J. Kimberly Realty and Kona
Beach Properties.
-The plan calls for a 7-foot sidewalk all around the building to accommodate"pedestrian traffic".
This appears to eliminate the public parking that currently exists for those seeking beach access
or guest parking on Kahakai Road across from Hale Kona Kai.There are no other sidewalks for
pedestrians to use all along Kahakai Road north of the turn, so pedestrians will still be using the
traffic lanes—there will just be MUCH MORE pedestrian traffic once they are past the sidewalks.
In summary, based on my review of these plans,this looks like an over-sized building development being
placed down in the midst of a peaceful,tranquil part of the community widely traversed by pedestrians
from the surrounding complexes. The safety and environmental impact of this development seem to
have been ignored by the developer. Some recommendations to the current plan prior to approval
would be as follows:
1) Elimination of the lock off unit concept reducing the number of units to less than 100.This is
more in line with the original plan approved several years ago for 48 condo units.
2) Eliminating one floor of the structure so that the height of the building from Kahakai Road also
falls below 40 feet.Again, this will help adjust the number of units to less than 100.
3) Conducting a thorough impact study of the revised building plan on the traffic and safety of
pedestrians on Kahakai Road and making any adjustments recommended accordingly.
I appreciate the time and consideration of this testimony by the Planning Commission. I look forward to
viewing the Planning Commission meeting online later this week. Mahalo!
Sincerely,
'13
11_�01
Elizabeth Berecz
Owner, 75-5870 Kahakai Road, Unit 408
Kailua Kona, HI, 96740