HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-04 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Zachary Mermel Opposition Testimony From: Zach Mermel
To: W PCtesti mono
Cc: Zachary Mermel
Subject: Testimony re: Proposed Punalu'u Development
Date: Monday, March 4, 2024 4:28:18 PM
To whom it may concern,
I write to express my heartfelt opposition to the proposed development at
Punalu`u, encompassing multiple TMK`s owned by Black Sand Beach LLC.
As a professional planner, born and raised in East Hawaii, who holds a
masters degree in ecological landscape planning and design, I attended
one of the community input meetings, hosted by the developer in 2022. In
most community focused meetings, it is customary to record, on butcher
paper, the community member's feedback that is shared; however, the
developer's hired consultants did not take notes on attendee's concerns /
comments; this lack of attempting to integrate feedback / mana`o from
community members is a worrisome sign, and rather disrespectful of the
community input process.
Perhaps a more effective approach would be to have a facilitated
community based charette, whereby interested community members
would have their mana`o, concerns, and insights integrated into the design
process for the development. There are local planners/designers
In its current form, I do not support this proposed development. Please
strongly consider halting the proceedings of this proposed development, so
that community input can be better integrated into future proceedings.
Respectfully,
Zachary Mermel