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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-15 James Y. Agena Testimony-GP 2045JAMES Y. AGENA !³³®±-¤¸ !³ , Œ James Y. Agena, LLLCœŠaHawaiilimitedliabilitylaw company Š œœ November 15, 2024 Countyof Hawaii Leeward Planning Commission Windward Planning Commission101 Pauahi Street, Ste. 3 Hilo, HI 96720Via email to: LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty. gov; andU.S. Mail Re: Hawaii County General Plan Comprehensive Review/ Notice of Proposed Changein Parcel DesignationndTMK: 7-3-009:063, Kaloko, North Kona, HawaiiDearSiror Madam: My office representsKaloko Residential ParkRPL, ownerof property describedas TMK 7-3- regardingthe subject matterset forthin your Notice dated October 10, 2024. KRPL respectfully objectstothe proposed redesignation ofParcel63fromthe existing LUPAGof Urban (expansion) tothe proposed GPLU of Conservation. Attachedfor referenceisamap depicting Parcel63and surrounding properties, andthe County informationasto Parcel63in general. Please consider the following: The Designation WasAn Error. Upon receiptofthe Notice, KRPL (by Greg Ogin) was placedin contactby Zendo Kern, Director, with April J. Surprenant, AICP, ofthe officeof Long Range Planning & Boardof Appeals, Hawaii County Planning Department. Itis our understanding from contact withthat office thatthe designation was madein error. Possibly a GISor mapping mistakethatisinthe processof being corrected. KRPLisNota Partyto aThe Notice statesthatthe reasonfor the prior noticeofa Lanihau master plan, nor anythingthat would requirethe sudden designation ofits property. KRPLowns Parcel 63, andits47 acresof previously designated Urban- expansion thatitis comprised of, notany other County ofHawaii November 15, 2024 Page2 Ifthis designation involves Lanihau Properties LLCandsome manner ofplan it proposes, thenitisclearthat itdoes not own, norhaveaninterest inParcel 63. Norisitknown whatexactly arethereasons fortheneed toconvert Parcel 63, toConservation zoning. Itisunfairandimpossible torebut thedesignation without knowing thespecificand authorized reasons forit. 1 The adjacent property tothesouth ofParcel 63, isowned byLanihau Properties LLC anddesignated asTMK No. 7-4-008:081. Seeattached map. Inthe event thisinvolves adevelopment per amaster planproposed byLanihau Properties, foritsown benefit, which includes theredesignation ofParcel 63, whichLanihau Properties obviously does notown, itisobviously suspect and unjust. TheLanihau Properties planneedstodesignate its ownproperty for Conservation purposes tofulfill whatever intentitmight have. TheDesignation Would Deprive KRPLof itsIntended Use. KRPL intends todevelop Parcel 63, along withother ofitsproperties inthevicinity, tocreate acompact, mixed-use, master-planned community offering awide range ofhousing typesandaffordability, anda variety ofbusinesses andemployment opportunities. Thisincludes providing housing for the working families ofHawai'inearby areasofworkforce demand, resultantly improving overall quality oflifethrough the reduction ofcommuting and facilitation ofeveryday function.2 To achieve thisgoal KRPL would seek alanduse reclassification and zoning changes topermit these uses. Adesignation ofParcel 63toConservation would effectively prevent KRPL from proceeding with theintended development. Further, the designation wouldpreclude KRPL from 1 Conservation being: (1) protecting watersheds andwater sources; (2) preserving scenic andhistoric areas; (3) providing park lands, wilderness, andbeach reserves; (4) conserving indigenous orendemic plants, forestry, fish, andwildlife; (5) preventing floods andsoilerosion; (6) retaining openspace areasto enhance thepresent orpotential value ofabutting orsurrounding communities; (7) using areasofvalue forrecreational purpose, other related activities, andother permitted usesnotdetrimental toamulti-use conservation concept. 2TheKRPL intended useoftheproperty addresses thegoals oftheKeahole toKailua Development Plan, prepared bytheCounty ofHawaii Planning Department, andadopted byresolution bytheHawaii County Council inApril 1991. TheDevelopment Planisintended toserveasanimplementing toolforthe County General Plan andbeaflexible guideforthefuture growth anddevelopment ofthearea. TheKeahole toKailua Development Planencompasses anareaofapproximately 17,000acresinthe North Kona District extending fromtheKauahupuaa tothenorth, Mamalahoa Highway totheeast, Palani Road andKailua Village tothesouth, andtheshoreline tothewest. Theoverall goalestablished fortheDevelopment Planisasfollows: approximately 8,000 ormoreresidential units, inafunctional, attractive, andfinancially viable manner. County ofHawaii November 15, 2024 Page3 realizing theeconomic benefit ofthepotential oftheproperty, andhave the effect ofa governmental taking ofproperty without just compensation. KRPL haspaidasubstantial amount ofrealproperty taxesinthepast totaling approximately $250,000.00based upon an Agricultural classification, and anexpectation that itwould bepermitted tousetheproperty for atleastthatpurpose. Attached isthewebpage from theCounty realproperty taxoffice describing the assessed market landvalueof $3,339,400.00and property taxespaid. KRPL Has Protested inthePasttoaConservation Designation. TheDraft2040County ofHawaii General Plan hadproposed thatKRPL property, including Parcel 63, bedesignated as Conservation orLow Density Urban. KRPL submitted anobjection inNovember 2019, based uponmanyofthesame reasons made inthisletter. The2019objection intheformofaletter fromitsattorneys tothePlanning Department isattached hereto, and incorporated hereinby reference. KRPLrenews thearguments madein2019, inconnection with thecurrently proposed designation. KRPL reserves theright tosupplement thisletterwith further documentation and/or testimony. Should youhave any questions, please contact theundersigned. Very TrulyYours, James Y. Agena Attachments C: Kaloko Residential Park LLC County ofHawaii Planning Department 74-5044Ane Keohoklole Highway, Building E, 2ndFloor, Kailua-