HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-20 Chad Wiggins From: Chad Wiggins
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Testimony for 6/20/24 LPC
Date: Thursday,June 20,2024 7:53:00 AM
Attachments: LPC Waimea Ag Rezoning Application.odf
Thank you!
20 June 2024
Subject: Opposition to Applications PL-SLU-2022-0000008 and PL-REZ-22-000039
Aloha members of the Leeward Planning Committee,
My name is Chad Wiggins and I am a resident of Waimea, Lalamilo, South Kohala. The
oldest house in our town is named for my wife's 5th great-grandfather, Francis Spencer, and
the future of Waimea is a responsibility I take quite seriously.
I am opposed to, and humbly request this Commission deny,Applications PL-SLU-2022-
000 0008 and PL-REZ-22-000 039 to rezone agricultural lands.
The proposed rezoning is contrary to the zoning plans and development plans that are
meant to ensure responsible land use. The flooding risk alone creates a legal barrier that
must not be disregarded.
Further, Waimea Policy 2 from the South Kohala Community Development Plan states that
"`Responsible Growth` shall be an overarching land use policy for Waimea. Adequate
infrastructure, including roads,water supply electrical power, drainage structures, schools,
and parks, shall be provided by public and/or private entities before any large-scale new
residential or commercial projects can be considered for approval by County."The Plan
admonishes the County to"...carefully evaluate and condition, as appropriate, any rezoning
that would negative impact important agricultural lands... in Waimea."
The lands proposed for rezoning from Ag-5 do not have adequate roads or drainage
structures and do not constitute responsible growth.They should not be permitted to
develop in a manner unsuitable for their location.
The applicant may argue that these are not important agricultural lands, but this land is in a
prime climatic area for abundant production as evidenced by the farms on the Mauna Kea
side of the proposed area.Though small by urban standards, this is a large-scale project for
this area -when we look at adjacent commercial sites, this would be the largest
commercial development beyond the urban core of Waimea, opening the door for
unplanned urban expansion farther and farther from town.
I recognize that zoning is not set in stone and there is a need to be adaptive to changing
conditions, particularly with regard to climate impacts on agriculture. However, this
proposed change is maladaptive based on current and projected future conditions.
The applicant may be able to point to data that rationalizes this effort, but I contend that
this data is inadequate.
The Waimea residents on the Honoka`a side of these lands can tell you more about the
traffic today than any prior study. The farmers on the Mauna Kea side of this land can
tell you more about agriculture. The adjacent landowners on the same side of the
Highway can tell you about flooding. And the planners at the Counties of Honolulu and
Maui, or our own Long-Term Planning Department, can tell you all about urban sprawl.
In fact, our own planners recognize that continuing to approve piecemeal projects
outside of a solid plan creates a number of problems that could be avoided by
developing and sticking to plans.
The applicant may object to following the will of the community in addition to the law.
The process to develop the CDP engaged many in our community with differing
perspectives and identified areas of agreement. The knowledge contributed exceeds the
scope of information typically shared to inform long-term planning. Disregarding the will of
our community disrespects the residents, technical experts, and indigenous knowledge
holders who have been and must continue to be consulted is a mistake. It is one thing for a
landowner to make that mistake. It is another for a representative government committee
to do so.
Until the applicant can demonstrate support from those most affected by this application
in the Waimea community, this proposal should not proceed.
Ruling contrary to community has created a great deal of harm here on our island and
throughout Hawaii. I encourage this commission to respect our community by denying
this request.
Thankyou,
Charles H. Wiggins, Jr.
Waimea Resident