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Home My WebLink About2024-10-10 PL-INT-2024-009009 GP 2045 Draft Comments - S. Fuke —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) Leeward Planning Commission Windward Planning Commission October 10,2024 Page 2 holes at the Waikoloa Resort. The situation here is no different here, and thus its retention as an Open area on the LUPAG map would not be realistic. A"Low Density" designation would allow residential use, a use that is consistent with the adjoining residential developments. Relatedly, inasmuch as other land use entitlements such as a zone change and SMA are still required, during the review process, there will be ample opportunity to review considerations such as open space, infrastructure, archaeological, affordable housing, and so forth. In reviewing the draft LUPAG map,we note that the landowner's request was not accommodated. For the reasons outlined above, on behalf of Kona Country Club, Inc., we again renew its request to have the area covered by the former golf course mauka of Alii Drive be designated"Low Density" on the LUPAG map. Should you have any questions or require more information on this matter,please feel free to contact me. Thank you very much! Sincerely, 1 l�A ' SIDNEY M. FUKE Planning Consultant Enclosure Copy—Kona Country Club, Inc. w/enclosure via email ASidneyFuke, Planning Consultant 100 Pauahi Street,Suite 212•Hilo,Hawaii 96720 •Planning•variance•Zoning A711'w Telephone:(808)969-1522 Cell:(808)989-0640 •Subdivision•Land Use Permits E-mail:sidfuke@hawaiiantel.net •Environmental Reports October 2, 2019 Mr. Michael Yee, Director Planning Department COUNTY OF HAWAII 101 Pauahi Street Hilo, HI 96720 ATTN: Ms. Bethany Morrison Dear Mr. Yee: Subject: General Pliant Update Program -Kona Country Ciub, Inc. Keauhou,North Kona, Hawaii,TMK:7-S-010: 051,077, and 082 Thank you very much for taking time to discuss the on-going General Plan update program with me and others yesterday. It was very informative. As discussed,your tentative timetable is to solicit public comments on the first draft by the end of this month and then come forth with a revised one in the first quarter of next year. The revised document would again be subject to public review/comment before forwarding it to the Planning Commissions for review and comment and ultimately to the County Council by the late second and third quarters of 2020 for possible decision before the end of 2020. In that regard, I note that in the current draft,the Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG)map for the Keauhou area affecting the now defunct golf course mauka of Atli Drive and owned by Kona Country Club, Inc.has changed from"Open"to a new category called "Recreation". Please note that in the attached letter, dated September 24, 2015,we outlined several reasons for having the designation changed to either"Urban Expansion"or"Low Density". In addition to the reasons outlined in that letter,we would also briefly like to add 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. The situation here is no different here, and thus its retention as a golf course recreation area on the LUPAG map would not be realistic. Further,a"Low Density Urban"designation in the area of the former golf course would allow residential use,a use that is consistent with the adjoining residential developments. Relatedly, inasmuch as other land use entitlements such as a zone change and Mr. Michael Yee, Director October 2, 2019 Page 2 SMA are still required, during the review process, there will be ample opportunity to review considerations such as open space, infrastructure, archaeological, affordable housing, and so forth. For the reasons outlined above, on behalf of Kona Country Club, Inc., we again renew its request to have the area encumbered by the foliner golf course mauka of Ali'i Drive be designated"Low Density Urban". Should you have any questions or require more information on this matter, please feel free to contact me. Thank you very much! incey y, 41,\) SIDNEY M. FUKE Planning Consultant Enclosure Copy—Kona Country Club, Inc. w/enclosure via email SidneyFuke, Planning Consultant • i=I 100 Pauahi Street,Suite 212•Hilo,Hawaii 96720 •Planning•Variance•Zoning Telephone:(808)969-1522•Cell:(808)989-0640 •Subdivision•Land Use Permits E-mail:sidfuke@hawaiiantel.net •Environmental Reports September 24, 2015 Mr. Duane Kanuha,Director Planning Department COUNTY OF HAWAII 101 Pauahi Street Hilo,HI 96720 • Dear Mr. Kanuha: Subject: General Plan Update Request-Rena Country Club,Inc. Keauhou,North Kona,Hawaii,TI :7-8-010: 051,077,and 082 . Beginning February 6,2015,the Department officially commenced its mandatory 10-year comprehensive update of the County General Plan. Your website noted that the public had an opportunity to provide.initial comments on this by June 6,2015. The Department will review • these comments and internal and/or consulted studies between June 6 to April 2017, after which public workshops will-be held to review proposed recommendations. A revised draft of the . recommendations is expected to be submitted to the Leeward and Windward Planning . Commissions and County Council for further review and appropriate action between August 2017 to January 2018. During the course of this process,there will understandably be ample opportunity for further public input. The subject properties is the site of the Kona Country Club mauka golf course,which consists of three(3)tax map key numbers(TMX.: 7-8-010: 051, 077, and 082),with a combined area of 201.428 acres. (Figure 1) Given your projected timetable as noted above and while belated with respect to the initial June 6 deadline, on behalf of the landowner(Kona Country Club, Inc.),we respectfully request your favorable consideration in having the subject properties re-designated on the General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide(LUPAG)map from Open to either Urban Expansion (which would be similar to much of the adjoining properties) or Low Density Urban_ The reasons for this request are: 1. Such a designation would make it generally consistent with other golf courses not in the"Resort Node." Currently, golf courses in a resort area(while zoned Open)fall within the Resort Node category of the LUPAG map. These include resorts like Mauna Kea,Mauna Lath, Waikoloa, Hualalai/Kuki`o, and Keanhou. Mr.Duane Kanuha,Director September 24, 2015 Page 2 For golf courses situated outside of a Resort Node,for the most part the LUPAG map designations are similar to the adjoining properties. For example,the Big Island Country Club golf course at Pu'uanahulu is designated Rural,while the Makalei Country Club golf course is designated Extensive Agriculture. This concept also applies to golf courses proximate to and generally considered part of existing Resort Nodes. These include the Kuki'oiNanea golf courses which are designated either Medium or Low Density and the Extensive Agriculture designation of the Hapuna Prince Golf Course, all of which are situated mauka of the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. The Kona Country Club's mauka golf course is the only course within and/or proximate to a LUPAG map Resort Node that is designated Open. Following along the same principles,the course should thus be designated Urban Expansion,Low Density,or Medium Density. 2. Having such a designation enables the landowner to explore alternative uses of the property,uses that would be generally consistent with the surrounding area. One possible use could be the introduction of a few residences within the golf course to help financially sustain the operations of the golf course, a use that is currently not allowed because of the existing Open zoning. In either event, any change in use or modification of the existing golf course use will require ample public and government review vis a vis the rezoning and Special Management Area processes. Again,we respectfully request your favorable consideration of Kona Country Club,Inc.'s request. Should you have any questions or wish further information on this matter,please feel free to contact me. Thank you very much! Sincerely, NCA * r SIDNEY M. FUKE Planning Consultant Enclosure Copy—Kona Country Club,Inc.w/enclosure via email j' u ' ..._...._4 ! or.$a�¢ .:...7.1 # 'Fs -, • 1BvK' �^ i • $• a _ 6. ' µ yt i,°L • E; `+. 4 . \ \ +5+ g 4;:;"7:1 Ae5 w, a P :v.: tr„t -::-','''''r"'"�'-'°-.y,,. 3 ,.- Ik *� "'y... ^� 5 Y ..,,-;:'\'''-ist„.? ...' 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