2024-07-14 Bonnie Watterson - Laserfiche WebLink

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From: Bonnie Lia Barron To: LPCtestimony Subject: B Watterson Testimony-LPC July 18,2024 Meeting,Agenda Items#3&#4 Date: Sunday,July 14,2024 3:29:23 PM Good afternoon, I live and work in Waimea and am raising my two daughters in the town where I grew up. After college, I moved to San Francisco where I lived for a decade always knowing that I would return home. In 2015, I secured a position teaching and have called Waimea home ever since. My second daughter was born here. I am so grateful that I can raise my two girls here.As someone who has called Waimea her home for many years, I am asking the Leeward Planning Commission to NOT approve Kaupulehu Land LLC's application for State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to Rural and Change of Zone from an Agricultural-5 acre to Neighborhood Commercial and Residential Agricultural for the following reasons: Waimea is a rural and ranching town that started with Parker Ranch. The proposed commercial development is not keeping with the character of Waimea and will compromise the integrity,the essence,the feel of this special place. Once that is changed,we will never get it back and the door is now wide open for development that lacks foresight and integrity and accountability to the people who call this town their home. Converting agricultural land to commercial changes the land irrevocably, and in this case,likely for the worse. There is existing land that is zoned commercial. There is empty commercial space in the town right now. To convert land that is designated as agriculture is a decision that will impact generations of Waimea families for the worse: once the land is developed, it is gone forever. The children of Waimea--and all ages for that matter because as a mother, I value my mental well-being--green, open nature is what makes for stronger, resilient, humans and not paved,two story, commercial spaces. A mainland model doesn't work for Hawai'i.At some point,when will someone stand up and say enough is enough. We need to conserve what will be important for generations rather than what is important to a select few. The traffic in Waimea is already out of control at key times and this will exacerbate an already tenuous situation. Developing this area will create hardship for a community where many of us already struggle to afford to live here. To add insult to injury and worsen the commute for so many knowing that the end product will not add value or benefit the majority of the people who live here is entitled. This development will not strive to ease the challenges many people face like unaffordable rents and out of control rising home prices, not to mention traffic and extremely high utilities. What are the long term benefits to the average family in Waimea of this proposed development? Thank you for your time and attention, Bonnie Watterson