HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-02 Brandon SpencerFrom:Brandon Spencer
To:WPCtestimony
Subject:Windward Planning Commission Special General Plan Meeting
Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 7:54:31 PM
Attachments:Signed Orchid Manor AOAO Letterhead - to Planning Dept re Park Area.pdf
Please let this letter serve as my testimony noting a fraction of issues that we currently face due to the “Park” area.
Thank youBrandon Spencer
Thank youBrandon Spencer B.E.S.T. Solutions Hawaii inc.
Orchid Manor AOAO
355 Kalanianaole Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
To: Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission
County of Hawaii Planning Department
My name is Brandon Spencer, my wife and I currently own four of the 89 residential
units in Orchid Manor located at 355 Kalanianaole Street, #200, Hilo, HI 96720. I am
also the president of the Board of Directors for the condo association.
I am writing this letter to illustrate some of the problems that we experience due to the
public space located along the water behind our building.
• Homeless will camp in this location since it is hidden from the street and any
homes that may complain.
• Drugs are sold and used in this location
• Trash and debris are brought to this location by the homeless creating sanitation
issues.
• Potential fire risk from use of open flames by irresponsible people using drugs.
• Law enforcement doesn’t patrol or control any activity in this area leading to unsafe
and uncomfortable situations for the residents of Orchid manor who are mostly over
70 years old.
• The only area of this “park” that is maintained in anyway has been done so at the
expense of orchid Manor for decades.
• The areas that the Homeless have claimed are nests and breeding grounds for rats
and feral cats which they feed.
• Orchid Manor has had many issues with stolen or abandoned vehicles in our
parking area, vandalism, aggressive altercations with tenants, and police activity due
to the vagrants being attracted to the “park”.
• Bolstering or expanding a park in this commercial area would not be beneficial to
anyone who didn’t live in orchid Manor. Since the residents of Orchid manor currently
have numerous problems because of this space none of the residents want to see it
expanded offering a waterfront highway for homeless, drugs and crime hidden from
street view.
• Keaukaha is a beautiful area with plenty of space for all that want to enjoy it adding
a strip of park space in this location would simply be a further drain on county
resources with NO benefit to Hilo residents or even tourists.
We at Orchid Manor sincerely hope that you consider the importance of our personal
comfort and safety in our homes above the convenience of a Homeless Highway in our
backyard.
Thank you.
Brandon Spencer
Board President
Orchid Manor Condo Association