2024-10-28 David Cowles and Joanna Etka Testimony

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Windward Planning Commission Hawaii County Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street, STE 3 Hilo. HI 96720 WRITTEN TESTIMONY Re: Renegade Towers, LLC Use Permit Application PL -USE -2024-000028 TMK (3) 1-2-007-034 Aloha: CCH P A N NG DEPT OCT 21 2024 A40:2 RECO HA°~ C D ELIVERE We are the owners and residents of 12-4433 Ho'onone Road, Lot l3 and 1/6 owners of the roadway Lot G both of which appear on Renegade's Overall Site Plan A01 (Page 40 of application), and lying south of the subject parcel. Except for Lot A of our subdivision all developed lots are off grid. We chose this parcel of land for it's beauty, privacy and solitude. We power our home with solar energy and utilize satellite service for both cell and internet. This was a conscious choice and we are very happy to not have poles and service lines running along our road and through the Ohi'a forest. We see only forest and ocean views. The lots in our subdivision provide complete visual privacy. Needless to say we are not happy with the Applicant's proposal. Following Renegade's failure to build a tower of similar size on the West side of Route 130 it's agent contacted a number of owners in our subdivision asking if we would be willing to have their cell tower on our property. We all resoundingly declined. Renegade was well aware of our opposition. Despite this they bought the subject parcel and are now seeking to build their tower in our backyard. The Applicant lists a number of altruistic justifications for their permit. One primary reason for choosing the tower location is to service the residents of Kalapana Seaview Estates (Pages 9, 14 & 32). However Seaview Estates is serviced with both electrical power and land line telephone. The later provides internet and the internet provides cell service. Why not simply place a smaller tower at the top of Seaview to accomplish this goal. Applicant's foremost reason is financial gain, business over aesthetics with very little regard for how is effects the beauty, solitude and peaceful enjoyment of our rural neighborhood. Applicant fully understands that the current permitting process is heavily weighted in its favor and has used this to steamroll similar towers in Hawaii Ocean View and Kaumana. Applicant has the right to Appeal an unfavorable Commission ruling. Surrounding landowners do not. Tower applicants need only give notice to effected parties 30 days prior to the Commission hearing. Because State law requires a decision by the the Commission within 60 days of Applicant's submission those landowners receiving notice are afforded very little time to research and prepare testimony. We are well aware that the tower is most likely a foregone conclusion. Therefore, we ask the Commission to consider conditions to the permit in light of standards and goals set out by the Puna Community Development Plan and require such changes and conditions that mitigate negative aspects of Renegade's Plan.