2024-10-10 PL-INT-2024-009009 GP 2045 Draft Comments - S. Fuke

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—ewi SidneyFuke, Planning Consultant �� •Environmental Reports October 10, 2024 Leeward Planning Commission Windward Planning Commission do Planning Department COUNTY OF HAWAII 101 Pauahi Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions: Subject: General Plan Update Program -Kona Country Club,Inc. Kcauhou,North Kona,Hawaii,TMK:7-8-010: 051,077,082 The subject properties are the site of the former Kona Country Club golf course located on the mauka side of Ali'i Drive. That course was closed, and the owner has no plans to resurrect its use. As a matter of fact,there are pending applications to subdivide the properties. As such, in letters, dated September 24,2015 and October 2,2019, on behalf of the landowner, Kona Country Club, it was requested that the subject properties be redesignated from"Open"to either"Urban Expansion"or"Low Density"on the General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide("LUPAG")map. The new designation would enable the site to be potentially used for residential and related uses, consistent with the surrounding residential uses. Further, whether designated"Urban Expansion"or"Low or Medium Density" on the LUPAG map, it would not preclude golf course use. Examples of such would be the Makani Golf Course (Rural), Makalei Golf Course (Extensive Agriculture),Kuki'o Golf Course and Nanea Golf Course (Medium or Low Density). Golf courses like Waikoloa, Hapuna, and Mauna Kea fall within the Resort node. It should be noted that the former mauka Kona Country Club golf course is the only course that was within or proximate to a Resort node is designated Open. We would also like to note that because of declining interest in golf, many golf courses have no longer become economically sustainable and hence are being abandoned and transitioned to other uses. A classic example is the "repurposed"use of nine (9)