HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0898.157 2020-2022 From: Janice Glennie
Sent: COUNTY CLERK
Monday, April 24, 2023 11:09 AM
To: Council Testimony COTY OF HAWAII
EIVED
Subject: Mahalo on Bill 194 f 1:Q Eta .
SITS
ate
Aloha e council members,
To the six of you who voted to support Bill 194, mahalo from communities like mine that you represent.You heard our
concerns and saw through the hogwash of developers and groups like the Chamber of Commerce whose leadership is all
about keeping the status quo and having more,more, more of everything(but not necessarily affordable housing).
Council rep Evans wasn't hyperbolic when she said this bill was a new beginning. For generations, developer-based land
use planning has ruled our island.The legally-binding CDPs were meant to move us into a healthier, new frontier.Yet,
administration after administration has thwarted those plans from being realized through initiatives and actions
including this latest veto which appeared to put the council on notice that status quo development is what they're
meant to support. In fact,this whole episode was democracy in action (except the 3 council members who were deaf to
the plethora of testimony they received in support of the fairness Bill 194 could help create.)
Impact fees could help get the ball rolling toward a fairer future for everyone, including developers, by funding pre-
emptive development of infrastructure (concurrency). Those types of mechanisms could help the community's plans
could be realized, but they've been stymied by administrations who've torn apart, run around and ignored those time-
tested solutions.
We need lots more bills like Bill 194 to move us toward implementation of the KCDP and other CDPs.This isn't
obstruction or government overreach.This is moving land use planning into the 21st century in a more community-
based, controlled way. Without this bill, developers have no impetus to move beyond speculation after they purchase
land.That speculative mindset adds to the uncertainty of planning —the exact opposite claimed by this bill's detractors,
including the mayor.
Bill 194 is a relatively manini, innocuous, no-one's-toes-being-stepped-on bill. If we're to believe rep Kierkiewicz who
claims that the restrictions in Bill 194 already exist,then why haven't they been used?
Other rhetoric of administration-aligned council members who say they supported the original bill but couldn't after it
was amended is transparent and disingenuous. It seems those members supported the original version knowing it had
no teeth. Maybe saying they supported tighter regs on wanton speculation would've looked good in their campaign
literature but, but it would be dishonest and do nothing to help the residents who count on them;and their stuck-in
attitude toward Bill 194 and other legislation that could change the paradigm of development toward smarter growth
isn't going to help create affordable housing or move is toward a brighter future.Just as bad is that that kind of lack of
honesty and hyperbole creates animosity and division in the ranks — negativity that our leaders could help us avoid by
speaking honestly and making pono decisions.
Last, don't try weakening Bill 194, Chair Kimball. Your rhetoric in support of it was on-the-edge tepid with compromise
already achieved.There's no need to revisit this bill while there's a huge need to move our CDPs forward. (Can you say
Open Space Network Plan and Concurrency?)
Birth can be painful, but the benefits of having a new life can be boundless.The CDPs are land use toddlers that, if given
the support and love they need to grow, can become a wonderful part of our island lives from which we become
Comm. No.
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Ref. . APR 2 7 2. 23
healthier and, yes,wealthier. Bills like 194 are the baby steps required to achieve our deepest, most meaningful smarter
growth, sunny horizon goals. Please move on to the next. Please let's move on.
Sincerely,
janice Fa6a-Glennie
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