HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0099.002 2002-2004
01/17/03 FRI 09:17 FA% 8083233056 L$rr9 & Brenda Ford ~ 001
Lawrence M. Ford
81-950 Makahiki Ln. i
Captain Cook, HI 96704
January 17, 2003
Hawaii County Council
Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Chairperson
Committtee on Planning
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo. Hawaii 96720
SUBJECT: Scenic Corridors
Dear Ms. Leithead-Todd and Ivleme~ers of the Planning Committee:
The adoption of Bill 265 will e:~tablish a new section titled "Scenic Corridor Overlay
Zones" within Chapter 25 of ttie Hawaii County Code. This is consistent with a variety
of goals contained within the County General Plan including the identfiption of areas of
unique scenic and natural beauty, preservation of areas of historical and cultural
importance, and to increased recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors.
Nationwide, Scenic Corridor F'rograins have emerged to encourage creative roadway
planning not possible with the limits?ions of parcel by parcel zoning and land
designations. Scenic Corridor Programs can provide economic opportunities for local
communities. The Scenic Overlay Zone is a framework from which to recognize,
maintain, and enhance these resources for the future. It can also provide useful tools to
more effectively respond to regional planning needs within the County of Hawaii. Such
planning tools can yield direct and indirect benefits for residents, roadway users, and
communities. Benefits can include increased business, increased property values,
additional sources of grant funding for maintenance, enhancement, planning,
preservation and marketing of unique community resources.
Bill 265 will serve as the planning framework within the County Code for the
establishment of a Scenic Corridor Program in the County of Hawaii. Similar to
programs found in many states, it is designed to recognize outstanding cultural, historic,
recreational, natural or visual resources located along sections of appropriate
transportation corridors which are valued by local residents as well as by thousands of
visitors to the Island every year.
The Corridor Mamagement Plan required for any Corridor will be a produced by using
community-based planning and partnership-building to utilize a diversity of techniques,
incentives, and policies to enc:oura5e both resource protection and economic
development. The goal is not limited to the traveling experience, but also to enhance4the•~
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01/17/03 FRI 09:17 FA% 8083233056 Larry & Brenda Ford f~j 002
community's quality of life and to promote economic opportunities, based on the
celebration of intrinsic qualities found along a transportation corridor.
Thank you for your consideration of this important Bill.
Sincerely, ~ ~
c=~~i~ 7~;
Lawrence M. Ford ~