HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-14 Renee PakChong From: Renee PakChona
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: R. PakChong Testimony-LPC July 18,2924 meeting,Agenda items#3
Date: Sunday,July 14,2024 7:27:15 PM
Aloha,
As a resident of Waimea, I'm asking the Leeward Planning Commission to NOT
approve Kaupulehu Land LLC's applications for State Land Use Boundary
Amendment from Agricultural to Rural and Change of Zone from an
Agricultural-5 acre to Neighborhood Commercial
and Residential Agricultural (Agenda Items 93 & 94,Applicant: Kaupulehu Land
LLC) for the following reasons:
Project is solely for speculation purposes
Thus, is inconsistent with the 2005 General Plan.
A prime example of spot zoning and urban sprawl
The proposed commercial development is excessively huge with a 3-building, 2-
story complex and is NOT compatible with this part of Waimea. The scale and
size of this proposed commercial development is too large, similar to a `strip
mall' and NOT compatible for this area. Likewise, it would degrade prime
agricultural land and the "rural, ranching character" of Waimea.
Would adversely increase traffic congestion near this area
Also, this project would severely impact the traffic and create
further congestion in this particular area on Mamalahoa Highway which
is already difficult to navigate as the highway starts to narrow near here when
driving west into Waimea Town.
Would adversely increase property taxes for residents in this area
This proposed residential development which is being built for the high-end
market and not for the affordable range and would only increase the property
taxes for residents of the area.
NOT in compliance with the Hawaii County General Plan (2005)
The proposed project fails to protect significant Agriculture lands by rezoning
them and fails to preserve the rural, ranching character of Waimea as stipulated in
the General Plan. Likewise,this proposed project is NOT consistent with the
General Plan goals and policies that pertain to Agriculture and commercial
development. This speculation project has failed to demonstrate the need for
additional retail space in Waimea with many existing vacant retail properties in
Waimea.
NOT consistent with the South Kohala CDP (2008)
This proposed project fails to meet the guidelines and policies set forth for the
Waimea Town as stipulated in the South Kohala CDP. Instead,this project would
remove prime agricultural lands and push unsightly commercial development
further east of the Waimea Town center.
Mahalo,
Edward& Renee Pak Chong