HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2024-24 KCDP Kona Three Testimony
County of Hawai‘i
KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
(808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor
John Pelletier
Gary Jaster
Heather Korotie
Vacant
Charles Young, Chair
Nancy Pisicchio, Vice-Chair
Vacant
David Huerta
Roselyn Molina
July 1, 2024
Office of the County Clerk
County of Hawaiʻi
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
Subject: Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee Written Testimony
Regarding Kona Three, LLC Rezone Application (PL-REZ-2022-000033)
Aloha Chair Kimball:
The Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee (AC) met on Tuesday, June 25,
2024, at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center. Included on the agenda was a discussion regarding the
Kona Three, LLC Rezone Application (PL-REZ-2022-000033). The AC voted unanimously to
provide their written testimony collectively, identified as Communication 2024-23, attached.
Sincerely,
Charles Young, Chair
Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee
MP:
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Attachment: Communication No. 2024-23
Date: July 1, 2024
Heather Kimball, Council Chair and
Members of the County Council County of Hawai‘i
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Subject: Bill 169, Amendments to Change of Zone Ordinance No. 02 131 (PL-REZ-
2022-000033)
Applicant: Kona Three, LLC
TMK: (3) 7-6-021: 016 and 017, North Kona, Hawaii
Dear Chair Kimball and Council Members:
On June 25, 2024, the Kona Community Development Plan’s Action Committee held its
monthly meeting. Under consideration was Agenda Item #2: Testimony to County
Council regarding the Kona Three LLC Rezone Application – Discussion and decision-
making on whether the Action Committee will provide testimony to County Council.
Following a two-hour discussion, including public testimony, the Action Committee
approved the motion to provide testimony to the Hawaiʻi County Council regarding the
Kona Three LLC application’s inconsistencies with the goals adopted within the Kona
CDP Ordinance.
The Kona CDP Action Committee supports the recommendations from the Cultural
Resources Commission in their letter to the Leeward Planning Commission dated July
17, 2023.
The Committee found that the Kona Three LLC application does not reflect the goals
adopted within the Kona CDP Ordinance, specifically the following:
1. Transportation: “Objective TRAN-6 Concurrency. To manage the timing of
growth so as to avoid overloading the arterial system.” The Action
Committee believes the Kona Three LLC application conflicts with the Kona
CDP’s Concurrency Objective. The CDP anticipates a balance between
development growth and regional infrastructure improvements. New
development accessing Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, especially in that vicinity,
may further overload the arterial system and compromise the safety and quality
of life for Kona residents.
2. Environmental Resources: “Objective ENV-1: Managing Impacts. The Kona
CDP Action Committee is concerned that the Kona Three, LLC application does
not adequately address the potential impacts of flooding corridors that may affect
adjacent properties. In addition, the AC suggests that the County provide
consideration to the following Kona CDP Policy recommendation: “Policy ENV-
1.7: Flood Corridors. Collectively, the FIRM floodplains and the planned flow
ways may serve as open space amenities, such as linear parks and/or
greenbelts between urbanized areas.”
The Kona CDP Action Committee would like to express our appreciation to the
members of the Hawaiʻi County Council for working with the AC to achieve the goals
adopted within the Kona Community Development Plan.
Sincerely,
Charles Young, Chairman
Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee