05-11-2011, 02:25 PM
The KFC/Burger King/Longs project was different in a number of respects, including the PCDP blessing. One major problem with the KTA Orchidland proposal was the impact it would have had on our subdivision's roads. The proposed location would have fed lots of traffic onto 34th Ave, Auli'i Dr. and Orchidland Drive, all of which are barely maintained by the Assn. as it is. Orchidland has been burned by broken promises from developers in the past, so many residents were understandably wary of this plan. I suspect the impact on privately maintained roads will be an issue to some degree if they decide to try again in HPP as well. Also. at the Orchidland Assn. meeting, the developer's representative was surprised to hear from a resident that the state had no intention of allowing a light at the intersection of 130 and Auli'i. The developer said that if they couldn't get the traffic light, the project was a non-starter -- which is why, I suspect, that the project was pulled. The lack of infrastructure (esp. water and broadband) is going to be an impediment to any commercial development off the main highway, so there are several major questions that need to be addressed by the County before we see any large scale development in Puna in my opinion.