Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-20 Mrs. Torres Opposition Testimony From: To: Planning WPC Testimony Subject: Opposition to Special Permit Application TMK (3) 1-5-017:162 – Keaʻau-Pāhoa Road (Highway 130) Date: Monday, July 20, 2026 1:20:38 PM Attachments: Special Permit Moke.docx To: Hawaii County Planning Department. attachted: Opposition to Special Permit Application TMK (3) 1-5-017:162 – Keaʻau-Pāhoa Road (Highway 130) Please sent me the date, time and location for Planning Department Meeting Mahalo M Riiveira To: Hawaii County Planning Department. July 20, 2026 Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720 RE: Opposition to Special Permit Application TMK (3) 1-5-017:162 – Keaʻau-Pāhoa Road (Highway 130) To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to express my opposition to the Special Permit application for TMK (3) 1-5-017:162, which seeks to legitimize the establishment of food vendors, agricultural training classes, and the sale of fresh produce on the property. My concerns include the following: I travel the highway every day to work and transporting children to school and afterschool activities Traffic and Highway Safety Concerns The property is located on Keaʻau-Pāhoa Road (Highway 130), a heavily traveled corridor with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour. Existing traffic congestion is already severe during weekday commuting hours. During the morning commute, traffic in front of the property is frequently congested between approximately 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. During the afternoon commute, traffic traveling in the opposite direction is often reduced to approximately very slow hour between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend traffic is very busy also and many times move faster the posted speed limit, making it very hard to enter highway from private driveways. The proposed food vendors, agricultural classes, and produce sales would attract additional vehicles entering and exiting the property during periods when traffic is already heavily congested. The property's location near a left-turn lane and acceleration lane creates additional vehicle conflict points that may increase safety risks for motorists. The applicant has not demonstrated that the existing roadway infrastructure can safely accommodate the additional traffic generated by the proposed commercial activities. A professional traffic impact study should be required before any Special Permit is approved. Precedent and Existing Unpermitted Commercial Activity Highway 130 already contains numerous unpermitted fruit and vegetable sales operations. Granting this Special Permit without addressing existing compliance issues may encourage further unauthorized commercial activities along the corridor and undermine enforcement of County land use regulations Need for Comprehensive Review unpermitted structures, traffic, and questions regarding site compliance, the application should be denied. For these reasons, I request that the County deny the Special Permit application. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Torres P.O Box 1007 Keaau, HI. 96749 Additional points that often carry weight in special permit proceedings include: • paved ingress/egress. • Drainage and runoff on neighboring properties. • Whether the use is consistent with the intent of the Agricultural District. • Fire and emergency vehicle access. • Potential noise on neighboring residences