HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-15 Jacqueline Wright From: Jacqueline Wright
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Jacqueline Wright Testimony-LPC July 18,2024 Meeting,Agenda Items#3
Date: Monday,July 15,2024 3:26:37 PM
Aloha,
I am a 30 year resident of Waimea. Samuel Whitehead's emailed testimony to you is spot on,
so I repeat it as follows.
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.
Waimea is farm and ranch country, this is the agricultural part of Hawaii island. As a farming
family in this town for many generations we don't want or need any more of this kind of
development in our home town. On July 11th 2024 Waimea Community Association invited
political candidates and the community to meet. Many candidates stated statistics that show
Hawaii Island imports 92% of its food. We would like Waimea to focus on farming food for
our residents not on destroying agricultural lands.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Wright