COM 0981.002 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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02/05/2008 10:91 8086854114 WEBFATENT F41(c The County's ownership in fee of the 8,5 acres would be of great benefit to both the County ank. Parker Ranch Land Trust. According to Clem Lam, Chair of the WT&G Committee of volunteers, the Parker Land Trust easement for the Waimea Trails & Grecoways project prohibits its use by equestrians. Ironically, Parker Ranch, one of the state's greatest pauiolo institutions, is preventing Paniolo's on horses from using the portion of the trail within the easement. if the County owned the land outright, it could make that decision. Waimea's Paniolo tradition contributes to our sense of place. Constructing trails so that their use can be shared by pedestrians, bike riders and equestrians makes sepse for a Paniolo town like Waimea. The Hawaii Recreational Use Statute (HRS Chapter 520) normally protects private land ow ne: from liability when the landowners allow recreational use of their lands without charge. By charging County taxpayers $563,259.65 for the right to use the 8S acre easement, Parker Raru1, Land Trust appears to be venturing into a gray area of the statute. Parker Ranch Land Trust is definitely controlling the use of the land. If the County owned the land outright, Parker Ranch Land Trust would appear to be otit of the picture liability wise, As an indirect beneficiary of Parker Ranch Foundation (having had two surgeries, one life-sating, petformcd at North Hawa i Community Hospital), I want Parker Ranch Land. Trust not to ta.,;e on unnecessary risks. Also, the easement extends to the centerline of Waikoloa Stream. I understand that the County Code places the responsibility for keeping streams clear of debris, on the land owner. Does Parker Ranch Land Trust really want to continue to have that responsibility? Maybe the easement document takes care of that issue. I hope so, for Parker Ranch's sake. Much of the easement is within the 100-year flood plain of Wa,.Qloa Stream and is unttsaLle J r other purposes. If the County is going to pay $560,000 for an easement to 8.5 acres of hard a private owner could not build or grow anything on. one would think that the land would come without any "strings.' For comparison, the County Impact Fee Study at p. 54 presents 2006 costs per acre for land that could actually be used for residential construction. The average residential land asking price for parcels in the size range from 5 ':o 9.99 acres was $83,461 per acre during the real estate bubble. If the County gives credit for an easement in this situation, and never requests that the laid be dedicated to the County, will it follow this approach for the rest of the park land Parker Rancl Land Trust has agreed to dedicate to the County (the 21.5 acres that will be use for Waimea District Park)? What strings will it allow Parker Land Trust to attach to that land? Will old people like me be allowed to use.the park or did that idea go out with the horse and buggy? 2