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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-17 Kristen Counter From: Kristin Counter To: LPCtestimonv Subject: OPPOSE Items 1&2 Kaupulehu Land LLC 6/20/2024 meeting Date: Monday,June 17,2024 3:03:15 PM My name is Kristin Counter, I live in Waimea, directly behind the subject property, and am writing to OPPOSE both applications submitted by Kaupulehu Land, LLC. This is now the 3rd hearing on this matter, spanning over 2 and a half years. During this time, the applicant has not received the required support from this commission nor the community. In fact, the last hearing was deferred at the last minute when close to 1,000 pieces of testimony in opposition were submitted by members of our community. In response, the applicant stated a need to "address the community's concerns" as the reason to defer. To my knowledge, the applicant has not made any changes, nor addressed any of the concerned neighbors over the past year since the deferral. I'd like to take this opportunity to restate several of the issues we have regarding the proposed rezoning, which I hope the commission will take into consideration. 1. There is no public support for this proposed rezoning. The neighbor he brought to support the application last summer is an employee of his; it's hard to say no to your boss. 2. The rezoning is out of place within the community and doesn't make sense with an overall plan for the area. a. This is a huge (19,000 sq ft commercial, 2-story) space sitting on the exact border of entirely Ag-5 Land (see image below). A quick drive through Waimea reveals ample vacant commercial space available for lease or purchase in existing commercial zones. b. Even if sidewalks and other improvements are required, they wouldn't connect to anything. From our house, it's barely safe to cross the street to Earl's or walk along the highway to any other commercial parcel in the area. There isn't an actual sidewalk for another half mile. This project only makes the area more dangerous for both drivers and potential pedestrians. 3. If approved, the commission is setting an unsustainable precedent for the area, not only with the commercial, but more specifically with the Residential Ag designation. There is a combination of over 20 acres directly bordering either side of this property of undeveloped Ag-5 land. By allowing the Residential Ag '/2 acre designation for this parcel, the commission is setting the precedent for another 20 acres of beautiful ag land to do the same. Once you chop up this land, you don't get it back. 4. In previous testimony, when specifically asked, the applicant declined having thought about CC&Rs for the residential portion of the property and stated that he was most likely going to sell the vacant lots. So yes, while the existing two homes are charming, the applicant doesn't intend on developing the other homes himself. So there is no reason to rely on the existing homes as an example of how the others will be built. 5. The applicant also stated that selling the lots undeveloped is the "most affordable" way for buyers to purchase. However, buying vacant land and building requires you either use cash OR a construction loan, neither of which are affordable by most standards, especially in the current lending landscape. Combine that with FEMA flood insurance and these lots are not contributing in any way to affordable housing in Waimea. Ultimately, I do understand there is precedent for the commercial component of the parcel. I simply don't believe the size and scope are consistent with the community goals and future of Waimea given the surrounding properties and its lack of connection to the rest of town. Clearly the public and members of the commission are also concerned. On the other hand, there is no precedent and no reason to allow the back portion of the property to be chopped up into 5 more lots. Based on the applicant's own testimony, they will simply be subdivided and sold. It is just a way to maximize profit on the parcel instead of honoring the intent of the land for the future sustainability of our community. Image of subject property (with red star) surrounded by all Ag-5 land. *UD* Indicates currently undeveloped - Change of Zone would set precedent for such properties to also convert to Residential Ag '/2 acre.