COM 0872.007 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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(r,, ,. 2 November 5,2012 ` Dear Chairman and members: Hawaii County Council 25Aupuni Street Hilo 96720 RE: Communication 872 (Bill 316) amending Chapter 25,Article 5, Division 1, Section 25-5-3 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 edition,as amended)to include Egg Production for Home Consumption as a permitted use in Single-Family residential districts) As a resident of the Pi'ihonua neighborhood in Hilo for 37 years, I wish to register my multiple concerns over a pending proposal to permit poultry raising in the residentially zone districts of our Big Island. As I have discussed this proposition with many others I have become worried about its possible impact on property values and consequential lost income to the county treasury that relies primarily on real property tax proceeds. In addition, I wish that you examine many unintended consequences from this plan. There appears to us to be obvious nuisance issues that range from noise at odd hours, odor and control of chicken droppings particularly during rainy periods that occur with some frequency in Hilo. Despite noisy rooster crowing often cited by neighbors,hens can be just as disruptive during twilight and predawn periods. These chickens also likely will become attractive to predators such as rats and mongoose as well as the island's expanding feral feline population. Provisions to secure and control poultry feed appear absent from the amendment drafts I have read,as is the proper disposal of waste and excrement into septic tanks and leech fields as is now the common practice with dog kennels. A deeper concern is the potential impact on human health.Avian disease has caused global alarm.A scant look at the"American Association of Avian Pathologists," suggest a link of infection spread by feral chickens--see the most recent September 2012 publication that discusses interaction of feral chickens with horses. "A Major Outbreak of Streptococcus ... Infections in Range-Chickens Is Linked To Horses"is the specific example I wish you to investigate because of the potential human health links.