HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-SMA-2023-000036 02.24.24 J. MATLOCK TESTIMONY Araujo, Jaclyn
From: janet Matlock <matlockjanet@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2024 3:23 PM
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Oppose SMA application PL-SMA-2023-000036, Tinguely/Walua Partners
Aloha kakou,
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify on the SMA application of PHIL TINGUELY, MANAGING MEMBER OF
WALUA PARTNERS, LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000036), Application for a Special Management Area Use Permit to
develop eighteen multiple-family residential units and related development on a 3.0-acre parcel situated in
the Special Management Area, located at 75-5885 Walua Road.
We do not need more vacation rental properties.
Even if we did need more vacation rentals, we do not need them at the expense of our precious and rapidly
diminishing cultural resources.
This application states that, on October 25, 2022, "The applicant submitted a design review for the current
proposed project to the Kailua Village Design Committee; it was approved by the committee."
What is not included in this simple statement is any of the discussion held during this and the Design
Committee's prior meeting. What is also not explicitly stated in the application before you today is the fact
that this project is intended for short-term vacation use, although it was clearly acknowledged as such in the
Design Committee meetings.
My ask is that the Planning Commission deny this SMA application. At minimum, I ask that the Planning
Commission refer this application to the Cultural Resources Commission for review and guidance prior to any
other further consideration of this project.
A few selected quotes from the minutes of Kailua Village Design Commission:
From August 23, 2022:
"Commissioner Ikeuchi, noting that her role on the Commission is to provide cultural feedback, said that she
would be voting no on the application. She said that she wanted to be transparent as to why she could not
support the application;she said that she found it disgusting that a lot of development was happening with the
purpose of short-term vacation rentals while the COVID pandemic proved the economy based solely on tourism
to be detrimental and while there were so many local families with housing crisis. She said that she also found
it incredibly alarming to see archaeological sites on the site plan showing that that was the only area to be
preserved even though all of it was archaeological, and to see that all around the subject parcel was
developed,she said that it was like trying to squeeze out as much profit as possible from every inch of'dina.
She also expressed her concern that there would be more stress on the roads and more pressure on the aquifer.
She added that people could not eat concrete or drink money."
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"Commissioner Werchick, mentioning that he was impressed by Commissioner Ikeuchi's comments, said that
he was not sure that this was the right time to be building short-term rental units, either."
From October 25, 2022:
Commissioner Ikeuchi, "commented that what is going to be developed adjacent to the burial sites is a concern
for her, as she might have direct ancestors that are buried on this property. She further said that she maintains
a firm opinion, whether or not it is within the purview of this Commission, that the short-term rentals are not
needed in this community."
Ultimately voting yes, Commissioner Werchick, "said it is a fiction to say they are intended to be permanent
residential units,"and Chairman Roth stated, "that he appreciates the applicant being upfront about their
initial plan to make them available as short-term vacation rental..."
Please, again, if you don't simply deny this application, at minimum request input from the Cultural Resources
Commission before considering this project further.
If you do consider this project further, please then also keep in mind Kailua Kona's lack of affordable housing
(that this would be permanent housing is obviously not true and wouldn't be affordable in any event). Please
consider the impact of vacation rentals on our limited water supply, our stressed sewer system and single
landfill, plus the inevitable increased traffic, with consequent known safety concerns regarding tsunami, fire,
and other evacuation bottlenecks.
Also please note that this application is asking for ten years to complete the project, plus the ability to request
an additional ten-year extension.
Again, mahalo for your time and consideration.
janet Matlock
Kailua Kona
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