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Council Chair J Yoshimoto <br /> Page 2 <br /> October 6, 2010 <br /> As proposed in Bill 215, all new rezoning requests involving the creation of twenty or <br /> more Tots and within fifteen miles of an existing fire station would be subject to approval by the <br /> Planning Director however based on an infrastructure and fire protection needs assessment <br /> conducted by the Fire Department or more specifically the Fire Chief. Based on this <br /> assessment, the developer or landowner requesting a rezoning may be required to provide <br /> such items inclusive of but not limited to: firefighting equipment, firefighting vehicles, <br /> firefighting gear and supplies, and /or the installation of fire hydrants and water lines as deemed <br /> appropriate by the fire chief. I do confirm that the proposed language to provide for the water <br /> supply and hydrants is my suggested revisions to this draft bill as that is a prevalent deficiency <br /> in many areas of our island community and an essential fire protection need to support our <br /> operations. <br /> As I shared with the previously mentioned council members, I feel it is important to <br /> insure that whatever process is used to determine how and what impact a proposed rezoning <br /> or development may present with as well as how best to reduce or off set that impact, that <br /> process must be fair, clearly defined, and objective and criteria based. Applicants and <br /> developers should be able to use that same matrix to reasonably identify their potential impact <br /> and their required contribution prior to submitting for approval. Essentially, I would like to <br /> minimize and if possible remove any subjectivity and ambiguity from the process and insure the <br /> application of any impact assessment and required contribution is reasonably fair and <br /> consistent. <br /> For example, if two developers were considering rezoning identical parcels in the same <br /> area to create two one thousand unit residential subdivisions, under the current fair share <br /> process they would be assessed the same dollar value contribution for fire protection <br /> regardless of the sequence of when they submitted for approval. In addition through the <br /> rezoning process, fire protection needs such as roads and water would be provided to the <br /> Planning Director for consideration. Under the proposed bill, if applicant "A" submitted an <br /> application before Applicant "B" there may be an opportunity for disparity in the required <br /> contribution for each party. If applicant "A" was required to provide a firefighting apparatus or <br /> engine (approx. value $500,000) as that was determined by the fire department or fire chief to <br /> be the deficiency or need at that time, should applicant "B" submit for approval after that need <br /> was addressed, he /she may not necessarily be subject to the same cost or financial burden as <br /> applicant "A ". <br /> As part of the current rezoning and project plan review and permitting process, the fire <br /> department is afforded the opportunity to recommend specific project design and <br /> infrastructure components which are taken into consideration by the Planning Director. This <br /> often includes such provisions and standards for road access, road grade, surface, and widths, <br />