HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-18 Robert Henry From: Robert Henry
To: LPCtestimonv
Subject: Opposition to Jekaterina Mysin"s Special Management Area Use Permit Application(SMA 21-000078)and Request
for Postponement
Date: Monday, November 18,2024 4:02:29 PM
Aloha Leeward Planning Commission,
I am writing to formally express my strong opposition to the Special
Management Area Use Permit Application (SMA 21-000078) submitted by
Jekaterina Mysin for the property located on Ali'i Drive. After thoroughly
reviewing the applicant's extensive revisions and submissions, it has
become evident that this project is plagued by significant inconsistencies,
shifting plans, and a lack of clarity. These issues undermine the integrity of
the review process and prevent the public from making fully informed
decisions.
Given the numerous unresolved concerns surrounding this application, I
respectfully urge the Commission to postpone further review until these
issues are thoroughly addressed and the public record is clarified.
Frequent Changes and Inconsistent Plans:
One of the most troubling aspects of this application is the frequent revision
of the site plans. Since the initial submission in December 2020, the
applicant has introduced multiple updates, including as recently as
November 2024. These revisions are often contradictory, with each new
submission introducing substantial changes that confuse rather than clarify
the applicant's intentions. This makes it virtually impossible for the public or
the Planning Commission to adequately assess the scope of the project or
its potential impacts.
The constant changes in the site plans undermine the credibility of the
proposal and hinder any meaningful public review. I strongly urge the
Commission to ensure that a final, clear site plan is presented before
moving forward with any hearing. This will allow all parties, including
residents, legal experts, and the Commission itself, to fully evaluate the
project based on consistent and accurate information.
Additionally, the applicant has dramatically altered the intended use of the
property, raising significant concerns about the appropriateness of this
development. Initially presented as a residential project with six
condominiums, which aligned with the area's zoning, the focus shifted in
August 2021 to a commercial event center designed to host large
gatherings such as weddings. This shift not only changes the fundamental
nature of the development but also conflicts with the area's zoning laws and
contradicts the original vision laid out in the application.
The introduction of a commercial event center would have profound
consequences for the surrounding community. Increased traffic, noise, and
disruptions to the residential neighborhood are likely outcomes. Ali'i Drive,
already narrow and congested, would face even more traffic pressure, and
nearby residents would experience a significant loss of privacy and quality
of life due to the influx of large-scale events. Despite this change in use, the
applicant has failed to update the traffic study or conduct a new
environmental impact assessment to address the implications of the shift.
This oversight is a serious failure to adequately assess the full scope and
potential consequences of the project.
The scale of the proposed development also raises substantial concerns
regarding its feasibility. The applicant's plans call for a five-story structure,
towering at 45 feet, which would be disproportionate to the surrounding
properties—most of which are low-rise condominiums or single-family
homes. This new development could block views and irreparably alter the
character of the neighborhood. Additionally, the lot's small and narrow size
seems ill-suited for such a large-scale project and could lead to serious
issues with erosion and stormwater runoff, concerns that have not been
sufficiently addressed in the applicant's submissions.
The lack of clarity in the site plans makes it difficult for the public or the
Commission to properly assess these environmental risks. A thorough and
up-to-date environmental impact report must be submitted to evaluate these
concerns fully and ensure the project's compliance with environmental
regulations.
The complexity of these issues, combined with the late submission, has
deprived the community of the opportunity to fully evaluate the significance
of the revisions. This undermines the public's ability to provide informed and
meaningful feedback.
Conclusion and Request for Postponement:
Given the numerous inconsistencies in the applicant's submissions, the
shifting scope of the proposed development, and the failure to provide
sufficient time for public review, I respectfully request that the Leeward
Planning Commission postpone the review of SMA 21-000078 until these
issues are resolved. The public record must be clarified, and the community
must have adequate time to thoroughly evaluate the proposal before any
further action is taken.
It is in the best interest of Kona Communiy,the applicant, the public, and the
Commission— to ensure that this process is handled with integrity, clarity,
and transparency. I urge you to act with care and consideration in
postponing this matter until the pressing concerns raised above are
addressed.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your
response on posting this hearing until the reflected record is accurate and
unclouded.
With respect and aloha,
Robert Henry