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Today I was at the Makuu Market to buy fruit and Emily Naole had a booth there. In addition to selling things she had a petition for people to sign in favor of the storage business along Hwy 130 that we were talking about yesterday. What Emily said to me is that the people with the business variance request were giving HER a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house and $200,000, and she will use those things for a Homeless shelter and its support. When I told her I was with the Puna CDP and we were strongly oppossed to access directly onto Hwy 130, she minimized the concerns about safety, saying I'd only lived on this part of the island a short time and my voice is only one voice. I think what occurred with her today is totally illegal. I don't think elected officials have the right to personally accept property and money and then support a petition for a specific business. Comments? Erica Johnson
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Whoa!
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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This must be confirmed before going further. Another witness would be best, just asking Emily may work too. Even more obviously, why is promoting a petition for a variance that she will vote on?
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I am pondering how to proceed and seeking some verification of this petition story. I have no reason
to doubt Erica Johnson. Our whole Land Use Working Group should be concerned as well.
I had a 2 hour meeting with Emily and her assistant, Barbara Hale, on the subject last week and had hoped that
she (they) were willing to reconsider. Evidence seems to be that she (they) are not. Need to confirm.
I suggest that:
1. EVERYONE POSSIBLE be encouraged to call ( or better - visit) Emily asap and weigh in clearly pro or con. The phone number for county council offices is: 961-8225 (then press 5 for District 5). The issue for us is the legal precedent of allowing commercial development on Hwy. 130 and the implications for sprawl and the decline of our villages in favor of strip malls.
2. Immediately approach the other council members on the subject as well. I suspect they have, on that first vote,
tipped their hat in respect to Emily as the new representative for Puna. It is a Puna site and issue after all. We need more education of our new council members and reinforcement with our experienced council members that all such rezonings or special use permits should be avoided until the CDP plans are completed.
3. Get the date of the next council reading and vote and gather as much a presence as possible for testimony and support.
Aloha,
Rob Tucker
Land Use WG Coordinator
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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I have found two bills before council regarding the rezoning on Hwy. 130 that concerns us. These bills will be before council on 1-4-07/.
I suggest we make an effort to submit written tesitmony via fax to the county clerk or testimony in person by as many as possible. Also call all council members to express your views on this subject.
Bill info:
Bill 220 (2004-2006): Amends the State Land Use Boundaries Maps for the County of Hawai‘i by Changing the District Classification from the Agricultural to the Urban District at Keonepoko, Puna, Hawai‘i, Covered by Tax Map Key 1-5-7:53 (approx. 3.317 acres). {Timothy Lynn Gardner, Applicant.} Re: Comm. 680 Intr. by: Mr. Pilago Approve: PC-4
Bill 221 (Draft 2) (2004-2006): Amends Section 25-8-26 (Pahoa Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), by Changing the District Classification from Agricultural (A-1a) to Industrial-Commercial Mixed (MCX-1a) at Keonepoko, Puna, Hawai‘i, Covered by Tax Map Key 1-5-7:53 (approx. 3.317 acres). {Timothy Lynn Gardner, Applicant.} Re: Comm. 680.1 Intr. by: Mr. Safarik (B/R) Approve: PC-5
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Council Agenda for Meeting 2007 Jan 4, this Thursday:
http://www.hawaii-county.com/council/cle...6-2008.htm
Please come testify on behalf of the CDP process and ask the council to defer decisions that affect communities, like the example below, until the CDP processes (specifically Kona for this meeting) can produce recommendations.
Mahalo!
Kim
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I am going into town today.
I will ask Emily if she had a petition at the Maku'u market in favor of a storage business which requires a business variance.
I will also ask if the applicants promised to give her a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house plus $200K.
I will find out the zoning requirements for a Homeless shelter, establishment of such, etc.
I will express my concern that she would favor strip development directly onto Hwy 130
I will ask county counsel if it is legal for a council member to promote a petition for a variance that he/she will vote on?
I will also be at the council meeting at 9am Thurs.
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I'm glad this matter is sorted out.
Barbara Hale told me she wrote the petition.
Tim Gardner told me he planned to donate the house to the county.
Lincoln Ashida told me the matter of the house being donated to the county was discussed in early December.
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It comes up to Council again on Jan. 19th.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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In discussing this issue with a friend today, she indicated another reason why there shouldn't be a storage facility in that location. Her concern was that it detracts from security for the police and fire stations - who knows what is stored! I hadn't even thought about that aspect
