COM 0176.122 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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a. Hawaii Society of Professional Engineers a state society of the National Society of Professional Engineers Kona-KOha/a Chapter • do 75-5749 Ka/awa Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni St. Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Subject: Testimony In Opposition To Bi1151, Draft 4 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 27, Flood Control, Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), As Amended Relating To Storm Water Management Request To Delete Amendments To Bi1151, Draft 1 Request Approval for Creation of an Ad-Hoc Committee Previously Requested by Councilperson Ford to Evaluate Flood Issues and Impacts Dear Chairperson Hoffmann and Members of the Hawaii County Council, The Kona-Kohala Chapter of the Hawaii Society of Professional Engineers participated in the recent ad hoc committee meetings held to review the proposed amendments to Chapter 27 proposed by Councilpersons Ford and Hoffmann. Our chapter feels very strongly that all amendments proposed by the County Council should be deleted from the Bill until professional engineers, hydrologists and legal professionals can make recommendations as to the appropriateness of the amendments. Our reasons are as follows: 1. Councilman Hoffmann has failed to provide any background or explanation on how his proposed amendment to limit impervious surfaces will prevent flood damages. Our professional organization believes that limitations on the use of property belong in the Zoning Code, not Chapter 27. In addition, there are many zones that require a higher percentage of impervious surfaces in order to prevent urban sprawl. Some of these zones include commercial and industrial zones. 2. Councilperson Ford has stated the reason for her amendments was to create a code the goes beyond minimum standards. We believe that the existing provision of Chapter 27 are already much more restrictive than national standards. Many communities allow a rise in the base flood elevation. The County of Hawaii has a no-rise policy, which is above and beyond the FEMA requirement. In addition, the County of Hawaii requires infiltration of the increase in runoff from the 10 year, one hour storm. We do not know of any other community in the nation with this requirement. The 10-year, one-hour storm is also on the higher end of the design storms used nationally. The County of Hawaii requires calculation of the 100 year peak discharge for stream channels within watersheds over 100 acres in size which is also stricter than many communities across the country.