2025-01-11 Rebecca Melendez Testimony

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Fmm: RPbPrr.�MPIPnAPa To: NPL@Nmo v,LPL@Nmo Aibje¢: General PlannTeslimony Dew: Sa ,day,]anuary 11,2025 9'.30'.48 AM Big Island General Plan This General Plan is highly vague at times.In some of their explanations,they do not use the exact title but abbreviations,which takes time to research what they want to implement.They should have these abbreviations in the glossary. They need to be a lot clearer about what they want to do because it looks like they want to"cluster"us in living and take some of our rights away. Page 43 1.m Review the Code and consider amendments to encourage site clustering of development in order to avoid critical environmental areas and assets. What do they mean by"encourage site clustering"?What does"site clustering"even mean?How will this affect community living? Page 80 9.f Study the feasibility,issues,and opportunities related to the development of a TDR program to strategically preserve open space and achieve density to remain consistent with the land use pattern in accordance with the General Plan Land Use Maps. TDR is the Transfer of Development Rights It seems the TDR program allows the county full rights to say where homes can and cannot be built and whether private land is restricted.This restricts the right to build houses on private lands.If the county decides that property shouldn't be developed,we will lose our rights to build on privately owned land. "A TDR program seeks to preserve landowners'asset value by moving the right to build a house from a location where development is prohibited(e.g.,for environmental reasons)to a location where development is encouraged." "In the place where development is encouraged under TDR,zoning is changed to permit more units to be built." This sentence explains a TDR program talks about building"more units"not houses,and gives the county full rights to tell people where they can and can not build homes,even if they and that they can only build"units". httos://n maes.rutaers.ed u/h ig hlandsitransferdeve lopme nt-rights.phh p Page 82 They mention TDR program again 12.f Study the feasibility,issues,and opportunities of a TDR program to incentivize development away from high-risk hazard areas. Page 87 The General Plan talks many times about"high-density.Prioritize an increase in density"for multi-families 13.2.13.4.13.8.it seems this goes with the TDR program.To"cluster"us up into housings. 13.10 Development of TODs and TNDs are encouraged within locations of the urban centers shown on the General Plan Land Use Map.These locations are approximate and become fixed during rezoning. They don't give any ideas of how they will increase public transportation.The bus system has been breaking down for years and is very rarely on time.They are not clear on what they mean by this at all.They just say"are encouraged." Big Island's public transportation needs to be addressed.How can the island create better public transportation?They don't explain how they want to help public transportation. Big Island's infrastructure also needs to be seriously addressed because traffic is increasing monthly without any sign of helping the infrastructure to accommodate the increase in traffic. How can they help the infrastructure with a mountain on one side and a cliff on the other,with many of our roads?They don't offer any ideas. TNDs-Traditional Neighborhood Development TOD-Transit-Orientated Development httos://fifthave.ca/benefits-and-drawbacks-of-transit-oriented-develo mp ents/ Drawbacks and Challenges of Transit-Oriented Development 1. Decreased Affordability and Property Values:The increased demand for housing in TOD areas may lead to rising property values and rental costs,potentially displacing existing low-income residents. 2. Displacement of Marginalized Communities:Gentrification can occur in TOD neighborhoods,pushing out long-time residents and causing social and economic disruptions. 3.Social and Cultural Homogenization:The emphasis on mixed-use developments might inadvertently lead to the homogenization of local cultures and businesses, eroding the unique character of the community. 4. Increased Pressure on Infrastructure:High-density developments can strain existing infrastructure,such as transportation networks,water,and sanitation systems, necessitating costly upgrades. i Unequal Distribution of Benefits:Without inclusive planning and involvement of all stakeholders,the benefits of TOD might disproportionately favor certain segments of the population. 13.13 Support master planning by public and private institutions and landowners which emphasize TOD,affordable housing,and mixed-use development. What is their"Master Plan"?Why should it be supported? Page 89 13.44 The development or designation of new resort areas should complement the character of the area:protect the environment and natural beauty:respect existing lifestyles. cultural practices,and cultural resources:and provide shoreline public access. The Big Island needs homes for its residents.It does not need more resorts because the island is having resource issues with the developments here now,and many more years of already-approved developments have not been completed yet. Please see this petition:httos://www.change.orgp/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and-visit The West Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill,the only remaining landfill on the Big Island,is forecast to reach capacity within the next 20 to 25 years."httos://big Isla nd now.com/2023109117/boa-0sla nd-now-poll-no-27-results-more-tha n-one-sol utoon-needed-to-hel p-extend-lofe-of-west-hawa ii-landfill/ "Hawai'i Water Supply Closely Monitored As Severe Drought Continues by Big Island Video Newson Nov 6,2023 at 3:28 pm STORY SUMMARY HAWAI'I COUNTY- Officials say a special focus will be placed on the South Kohala Water System,which is more susceptible to drought conditions."httos://www.blaislandvideonews.com/2023111106/water-supply-closely-monitored-as-hawai/CA%BBi-under-severe-drought/ HECO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by:Emily Cervantes Posted:Feb 13,2024/05:11 PM HST Updated:Feb 13,2024/09:12 PM HST Hawaiian Electric initiated rolling outages for Big Island after several large generators became unavailable and reduced output Tuesday night." httos://www.k hon2.com/loca I-news/heco-re lea ses-conserva tion-a lert-for-big-island/