HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-27 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Chris & Kathleen Mumme Testimony February 27, 2024
Planning Department ry0H PLANNING DEPT
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo HI 96720 MAR 4 2024 Pm4:20
Re: SMA for Punalu'u Village, Kau
REC'D BY MAIL
To Whom It May Concern:
As full-time residents of the small development just mauka of this planned development, we are very
interested in the county's role in the potential approval and over-seeing of Punalu'u Village project. We
chose Kau as our home because it resembled what we are used to: quiet, rural, agricultural beauty. We
here in Kau are very concerned with over-development and the protection of our beauty. We also know
that property owners are generally allowed to develop their own property if they follow the law and stick
with the plan. As with any easily accessible and beautiful place, people will come....they already do!
The latest plan for the former"Sea Mountain Resort" seems to be very much scaled back from plans
of the past. We are happy to see that any new building will be within the current and already developed
area. We count about 230 units, most of which are reasonably small and none over 2.5 stories.
Apparently only the 80 proposed condos next to the current Colony One units could have the potential
for full-time residents.The remaining units would be for short, even overnight accommodations. We also
see that these new units are just over the hill and mauka of our beloved Black Sand Beach.There will be
no new development in the beach area itself. Further, the area along the beach area will be held in a
conservation management area. We like the idea of small businesses that can help employ our residents
and afford some nice conveniences to those of us who call this area home. Currently we see quite a bit
of daytime traffic to the beach. Most visitors, but certainly not all, stay briefly to see the turtles and take
in the gorgeous view. This development,well off the beach and quite limited in 'sprawl', could mean that
those visiting would have the opportunity to enjoy other amenities which do not include the beach, but
which could be a healthy boon for the local economy and for local entrepreneurs.
All of that said, we do have concerns. We worry about parking, the impact on sea life, the beach
itself, and the increase in our traffic. We wonder if some of the overnight condos are too large. We also
would like clarification of the plans for the "Old Punalu'u Village" area.
But, as neighboring homeowners, our greatest concern is the sewer and water system which we share
with the existing Sea Mountain Resort/Colony One units.We are very concerned about the aging
infrastructure here and how it would be affected by the addition of new buildings and homes. We are
confident that Hawaii county will ensure that this system is upgraded to accommodate this increase and
that existing homeowners can be confident that the system will be in better condition than it is currently
if the plan meets with your approval. Surely no approval will be given until this is made a part of the
proposal.
Thank you for your attention.
es Regards,
al9 / /
hris and Kath een Mumme
95-1175 Alahaki Road/ PO Box 363
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