Concern re: Petition for storage business along Hw

[kimtavares]

County Council will vote on this again THIS FRIDAY, Jaunuary 19. Meeting starts at 9am. If you can not provide testimony in person but have strong feelings about this issue, you can email your testimony any time before the meeting.


Download the Agenda/Actions of the last meeting (Jan-4) & instructions about how to provide testimony here:

http://www.hawaii-county.com/council/cle...6-2008.htm

Read the front page of the Hilo Trib today 1/16 for more info.

[kimtavares]

I will be submitting testimony in writing, and hopefully also in person, as follows. I wonder if the Land Use group can come up with a concensus, or a list of names that would like to join mine in the signature line?

Let me know...
Kim



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To: Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann, Vice Chair Angel Pilago, and all Hawaii County Council Members

Re: Oppose Bills 220 & 221


After testifying in opposition to the proposed storage facility on January 4, Mr. Gardner approached me outside the council room, to ask why I was opposed to his proposal.

Rezoning the property for a storage facility is an inaccurate statement. The proposal is to rezone Agricultural land to Urban in Bill 220, and to rezone it to Industrial-Commercial Mixed in Bill 221. If either of these zonings are approved, then just about anything could be built there. If the storage facility is a sincere request, it should be made via special permit process. In either case, storage facility and/or any urban or industrial-commercial mix on this property 315007053 would cause a new traffic hazard spot along the highway, unless alternate access is acquired, off the highway. Additionally, it is clearly inappropriate use of agricultural land.

I also explained to Mr. Gardner that the Puna community development planning process is ongoing. Community members through working groups have been intensely involved in planning the future growth of Puna for almost a year now, focusing on sustainable, safe, smart-growth infrastructure. Attempting to circumvent the community planning process is not a good way to be welcomed into the community. I suggested that he get involved with the working groups to obtain an understanding of what the community wants and needs.

Ultimately, I suggested Mr. Gardner put up greenhouses. He said there were greenhouses on it before. I said, there you go! If the land has already been grubbed or graded, why not put up greenhouses again. It’s a great use for the land since there is so much sunshine on it. Any number of useful things could be grown, from garden greens to native trees. There is just as much need to preserve the environment and plant more trees as there is to be concerned for safety of motorists on the highway. If a new access way is granted through other adjoining lands, then this spot might be perfect for greenhouse farm leasing, perhaps.

Sincerely,


Kim Tavares