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Dear Council Members, <br /> I appreciate your willingness to consider and support through revisions or deletions to <br /> <br /> Draft I the concerns voiced by property owners at the public hearings in Hilo. Unlike <br /> <br /> these property owners, residents of Hamakua were not afforded the consideration of <br /> <br /> having their representative sponsor similar resolutions. In the spirit of equal <br /> representation and recognition the welfare of each district is critical to the enlightened <br /> goals and vision contained in Draft ] , we request the council support revisions or <br /> deletions addressing the following concerns of residents of E[amakua. <br /> l . We oppose the recommendation to create a tourist route using Mud Lane. "I'o <br /> allow this road to be paved and utilized for tourist purposes will adversely <br /> affect the Kapulena Community and its surrounding agricultural <br /> neighborhoods. Experience on the island will attest to the destruction oC <br /> agricultural communities when roads are developed with the intent to increase <br /> tourist traffic. Additionally, such a road would adversely impact the <br /> commercial enterprises in Honokaa by diverting traffic from the current <br /> through fare to an alternate route. To approve this road would be a blatant <br /> contradiction of the express goals of the Draft 1, i.e. preserve agricultural <br /> lands and communities, and enhance the commercial viability of existing <br /> commercially zoned property. <br /> We request a moratorium on the approval and hearings on Special Use <br /> Permits for agricultural lands. As we mentioned in our testimony, these <br /> permits are zoning variances for activities that permanently change the use of <br /> agricultural lands for non-agricultural purposes. These uses not only impact <br /> the lands, but they negatively impact the surrounding communities whose <br /> culh¢al and historical roots are agricultural. Again, we have ample evidence <br /> of this impact in districts throughout the island. Furthermore, there are <br /> repeated approvals of these permits granted to owners who have flagrantly <br /> violated existing building restrictions, fined by the county and then allowed to <br /> continue their previously illegal operations through this process From <br /> experience within our own community, we have had multiple applications to <br /> "rezone" agricultural lands to retreat centers, wellness centers, camp grounds, <br /> eta We know of many more waiting to apply for these variances. We hope <br /> the adopted general plan will prohibit these types of activities on agricultural <br /> lands. Until this occurs, there should be a moratorium on Special Use <br /> Permits. <br /> 3. We support a revision restricting "Ecotourism" or "Ag tourism" on important <br /> agricultural lands. 'Chew activities use the name of agricultural, but they are <br /> not agricultural activities. They are tourist activities. The in[lux of tourists <br /> into the heart of agricultural communities destroys the very communities <br /> being promoted as a tourist attraction. Furthermore, almost any activity, from <br /> use of dirt bikes, ATVs, 4 wheel jeep tours, etc. could be considered "ag <br /> tourism" or "ecotourism". These activities destroy the agricultw al <br /> communities and arc opposed by active farmers and ranchers Unless and <br /> until strict, enforceable regulations are adopted that narrowly deComm. No., <br /> Ref. To: LUUJ <br /> Ref. Date CUU~ <br /> <br />