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Testimony Relating to Bill 163-Draft 3 <br /> <br /> Mr. Kuba returned a call today regarding Engineering grading approval. No permit <br /> has been approved. The contractor will be fined, if the inspector finds a problem. <br /> Please consider the following in the discussion of the County General Plan and <br /> subsequent regional plans. <br /> <br /> We believe that what is occurring here at Waipi'o should be used an example of what <br /> is happening Island-wide, because of the lack of standards and ordinances. Please <br /> place teeth in the new laws to prevent abuse and inappropriate land use, as well as a <br /> real review of house size and design and placement on the lots to preserve view <br /> planes. This will not be easy. People with money, power and influence, as well as <br /> folks who feel that land use controls border on socialism and communism, will be <br /> ready for a fight. <br /> Permit violation penalties are pitifully inadequate. Building permits for these $1 million <br /> homesites is $890. The penalty for doing work without permit is double the fee. That <br /> is a night out at the Mauna Lani with friends for dinner and drinks for a wealthy <br /> developer. <br /> We do not doubt the professional integrity of County staff but we are disturbed by how <br /> easy it is for department and division chiefs to pass on the responsibility to other <br /> offices. We heard this is not in my field of control too many times for our patience. <br /> One positive suggestion is to integrate computerized recordkeeping systems to <br /> prevent citizens from having to go from one office to another to get all the information <br /> that they need. Amore serious issue is that there appears to be turf issues including <br /> who is responsible and in a potential path of blame. Developing construction approval <br /> processes which require teamwork and cross-functional cooperation may be needed. <br /> Note, we also understand the difficulties of County staff in dealing with these matters. <br /> (1) They lack the tools in the form of ordinance and quality standards; (2) They may <br /> lack an adequate number of skilled staff to deal with permitting and enforcement to <br /> handle the amount of new construction which is occurring on our island; (3) <br /> Ordinances and rules need to be clear, concise, and enforceable for consistent <br /> implementation of policy. <br /> Mahalo for listening. <br /> Joel Cohen and Phyllis Tarail, residents of the road to the Waipi'o Lookout <br /> PO Box 5022 <br /> Kukuihaele HI 96727 <br /> 775-1306 <br /> 3 <br /> <br />