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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND <br /> PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE <br /> DATE: October 2, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 842/Res. No. 302-12 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation, to which was referred Resolution <br /> No. 302-12, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 302-12, transmitted by Council Chair Yagong via Communication No. 842, urges <br /> the Hawai`i State Legislature to enact legislation to establish sustainable living research sites on <br /> parcels less than 15 acres that are designated"agricultural"under State law in Hawai`i. <br /> A sustainable living research site is an area of land on which the legal owners and/or occupants <br /> are permitted to engage in activities and erect structures that might otherwise be prohibited or <br /> unduly constrained by State and/or County law; and allow citizens on agriculturally zoned <br /> parcels of 15 acres or less to explore innovative methods of self-sustainability. <br /> Council Chair Yagong stated that he introduced this Resolution after discussions with members <br /> of the Hawai`i Sustainable Living Alliance, inquiries with the Department of Public Works, and <br /> researching how other municipalities are dealing with this issue. He also commented that <br /> changes are necessary in the Hawai`i State Building Code before the County Code can be <br /> amended to address the issue. <br /> Mr. Graham Ellis, Chair of the Hawai`i Sustainable Living Alliance testified in support of the <br /> Resolution and explained that even though our County Code addresses alternative materials, the <br /> list is limited to materials that have already been"tested". He informed your committee that it <br /> currently costs about $90,000 to test each new material. Mr. Ellis also stated that the State needs <br /> to establish"Research" sites so that individuals and entrepreneurs can test alternative materials <br /> themselves. Some alternative materials not currently in the County Code but allowed in other <br /> places include, plastic bottles, rubber tires, and glass bottles. <br /> Council member Onishi cautioned that the County needs to follow the current Building Code to <br /> ensure structures are safe for people to live in. <br /> PWPRC- 124 <br />