AC-PD 2015-1 renew Pahoa parking negotiations

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William P. Kenoi Duane Kanuha MayorDirector Bobby Command Deputy Director County of Hawai‘i PLANNING DEPARTMENT PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE  Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742 January 13, 2015 Duane Kanuha Planning Director Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720 Aloha Director Kanuha, Re: Request for continued negotiations for Pāhoa parking lot TMKs: 1-5-002:024, 026, 027 & 1-5-114:027 th With the onset of the July 27 lava flow and the subsequent closures of Mālama Market and Long’s Drugs, Historic Pāhoa Town is now struggling to provide additional services that were once provided by these businesses. The need for infrastructure, planning and services in the Pāhoa regional town center continues to increase. Most glaringly, Historic Pāhoa Town needs lighted public parking facilities that provide adequate parking for businesses and a permanent venue for a local farmer’s market. The Action Committee of the Puna CDP requests that the County re-open stalled negotiations for the purchase of TMKs 1-5-002:024, 026, 027 & 1-5-114:027. These parcels include the Luquin’s parking lot and the area currently used for the local farmer’s market. County funding was appropriated (ORD 13-66) and authorized (ORD 14-11) for the purchase of the parking area which is now needed more than ever. Any assistance or insight you can provide into the feasibility of re-opening negotiations is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your consideration of our request. Sincerely, Patti Pinto Chair, PCDP Action Committee cc: Greggor Ilagan, Danny Paleka, Dept. of Finance Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer