HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0005.03 - Testimony - Duties of the Planning DepartmentFrom: Judy Howard <judyhille@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 1:53 PM
To: Charter Commission
Subject: Public hearing testimony, Honokaa
Aloha. I am a 20 year resident of Hamakua, and I am particularly concerned about the lack of affordable housing near
population centers. I appreciate the efforts the County has made to supply affordable housing, but I think much more
needs to be done to place affordable housing close to schools, employers and grocery stores. I've seen too many
instances in which a car breakdown has led to a series of disasters as people who are already stretched too thin
financially are broken by a lack of reliable transportation.
Thus, I would like to see the Planning Department charged with ensuring that the people who we all rely upon every day
are able to afford to live close enough to their jobs and their childrens' schools that they do not need to rely upon a car
for everyday activities.
An instance that comes readily to mind is the Waimea Town Center project. That project should not be approved unless
space and resources are set aside for affordable homes, to remain in the affordable home market in perpetuity.
Mahalo
Judy Howard
Judy S. Howard
P.O. Box 2187
Kamuela, HI. 96743
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Comm. No. 5.3