Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-18 Patti Tews From: Patti Tew To: LPCtestimonv Subject: OPPOSITION TO SMA21-000078 and POSTPONEMENT REQUIRED Date: Monday, November 18,2024 3:28:58 PM Dear Honorable Members of the Leeward Planning Commission, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Special Management Area Use Permit Application submitted by Jekaterina Mysin for the property located on AIN Drive. After reviewing the multiple submissions made by the applicant, it is abundantly clear that this project has been plagued by significant inconsistencies, confusion, and an ongoing shift in purpose, which makes it impossible to fully evaluate its potential impacts. Given the many unresolved issues surrounding this application, I respectfully request that the Commission delay further review until these concerns are properly addressed. One of the most concerning aspects of this project is the frequent changes to the site plans submitted by the applicant. Since the original application was filed in December 2020, there have been several revisions, including updates in May 2021, April 2022, October 2023, and, most recently, a 40-page addendum submitted just days before the upcoming hearing. These numerous, often contradictory updates have created a serious lack of clarity regarding the scope and intent of the development. The constant shifting of plans makes it impossible for the public and the Planning Commission to adequately review the full scope of the project, and undermines the public's confidence in the applicant's ability to present a stable, reliable development proposal. Moreover, it is crucial to point out that these recent revisions were submitted well after the mediation process in 2022, during which specific conditions were agreed upon by all involved parties. However, the applicant's subsequent changes appear to ignore or contradict these prior agreements, leading to even more confusion. For example, in May 2021, the applicant presented a plan for a residential development consisting of six condominium units, as outlined in the background report. Yet by August 2021, the applicant had completely shifted the property's intended use, stating publicly through various channels that the development was now meant to function as an event center to host weddings, graduations, and other gatherings. This dramatic departure from the original residential plan has not only caused confusion but also raised significant concerns about the appropriateness of such a change, given the zoning and community expectations. The altered intended use of the property is perhaps the most troubling element of this application. The applicant initially stated that the purpose of this development was to revitalize an underutilized parcel for residential purposes—a purpose clearly aligned with the area's zoning. However, shifting from this residential focus to the creation of an event center constitutes a fundamental change in the project's scope, one that has not been subject to adequate scrutiny. The use of the property for large- scale events such as weddings, reunions, and other gatherings has far-reaching consequences, including significant increases in traffic, noise, and overall disruption to the surrounding residential neighborhood. These impacts were not addressed in the applicant's original assessment of the project, and there has been no updated traffic study to evaluate the effect of these new uses. The increase in event-related traffic, particularly on a narrow, already congested road like Ali'i Drive, could cause significant traffic bottlenecks and pose serious risks to public safety. Compounding these concerns is the scale of the proposed development. The applicant's plan involves constructing a five- story building with four residential floors—a structure that would be out of scale with the surrounding properties. Most of the neighboring structures consist of low-rise condominiums or single- family homes, so the introduction of a 45-foot-tall building would drastically change the character of the neighborhood, blocking views and potentially lowering the quality of life for nearby residents. The site itself is small and narrow, and the proposed structure seems disproportionate to the available space. Such a development could lead to significant environmental impacts, including issues with erosion and stormwater runoff, which have not been adequately addressed by the applicant. These environmental concerns, when combined with the scale of the project, point to a serious case of overdevelopment for a site that cannot sustain such an intensive use. Additionally, the recent submission of a large addendum confusing the record with many site plans just days before the testimony deadline has created an unnecessary sense of urgency, preventing the community and concerned parties from having adequate time to review the latest changes. The revisions were submitted late in the afternoon on November 13, 2024, leaving less than two business days for the public to evaluate the latest set of documents and submit testimony. This late submission deprives stakeholders of the opportunity to fully engage with the new information and violates principles of transparency and due process. For those of us who are concerned about the impacts of this project, this lack of time to properly review the changes with legal counsel has been frustrating and unfair. Given these numerous and serious concerns—the shifting nature of the project's scope, the drastic change in the intended use of the property, the inadequate traffic and environmental assessments, and the undeniably overdevelopment of this tiny lot site. It is not possible to move forward without an accurate public record with the multiple site submissions, and stated discrepancies in land use. I vehemently urge the Planning Commission to postpone the item to a future meeting once the record has been corrected. Sincerely and with Aloha, Pattie Tews Requesting Postponement Due to Misleading and Inaccurate Public Records In Opposition to JEKATERINA MYSIN SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA USE PERMIT APPLICATION (SMA 21-000078)