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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0426.008 2004-2006 JCT-31-2015 11: N2 FROM'HIEDB 8~~2 560 6752 ~;FIF JE. Ji. ~~01~'~33: ~ Hawaii !eland Economic D~t~?eits,~ment Board ISLAND OF OI'~PORTUNITY SENT ViA FACSIMIi.E AND MAIL October 31, 2005 Peter S. Hoffmann - Co•Chair K. Angel Pilago - Co-Chair Planning Committee County Council County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii. 96720 Ref: Proposed Amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) related to Agricultural Tourism Bill No. 148 Dear Co-Chairrnen Hoffmann and Pilago: On behalf of the Director's of the Hawaii island Economic Devetopmeat Board, in support of the Hawaii Tourism Authority's initiatives to promote and enhance tourism related activities around the State of Hawaii, and in support of the County of Hawai`i's plan to promote sustainable tourism activities around the Count} of Hawaii, the proposed Agricultural Tourism Bill No. 148 is contradicting the>e initiatives. Regarding the need for regulatory processes for agricultural tour. sm, HTEDB concurs that there is a need to outline parameters for pemritting various activities, but not in a way that limits, restricts or hinders economic diversity. The following sections in the proposed amendment are of the gr.~atesl concern: Section 25.2-75. Play approval application requirements for a~icaltural tourism. (3) New and esiating facilities to be nNlized principally for the agricultural tourism activity shall be clearly indicated on the plot plan and shall not sicced 1,000 square feet in total area... Section Zg-4-15. Agricultural tourism. (d) (2) Agricultural tourism activities shall not commence prior to 8.00 a.m. or cgntrnuc past 6.00 p.m. daily: Hawall Innovatlon l:enbet' at Xlb • 117 Keaure Street. Suite I.07 • Mflo, lii 96'20-2811 Vh (808) 935-2180 Fax (808} 935-2187 hiodb~hiedb.erg www.hiedb.Org a O Comm. Na-~..~.P~ Ref. To~t~ Ref, Date N, ~ OCT-31-2005 ll~ac FROM'HIEDB 2~8 96e, 6792 ?C:8©8 9E1 '~3?1~' -'.~.7i~L'f9'- (3) The agricultural tourism operation shall have a maximum of 30,000 visitors annually: (5) The total area of spaces, including covered decks, lanais, tents ur canopies. and gazeboes, whether newly constructed or within existing structures, to be utilized principally for the agricultural tourism activity shall not exceed 1,000 square feet; The objection to language in this pazagraph is "adjacent farmers frequently farm parcels that arc not adjacent to each other and should not be penalized far that. ('n Incidental sales of non-agricttltuxal promotional items, iucluding but limited to, coffee mugs, tee shirts, etc. shall he permitted provided; (A) The items are specifically promotional to the site's agricultural activitiwv and/or products. Agricultural tourism in the A,FA,lA, and RA districts shall not include weddings, parties, restaurants, schools; catered events, or overnight accommodations, unless allowed b}'special permit; The above sections are too restrictive and should not be addressed m the permitting process except for the comments in Section (6). Each a€xiculturaJ tourism opportunity' has unique qualities for residents and visitors alike to egjoy, and should not be categorized into "one-size-fits-all" manner, an extremely limiting process. All of the language highlighted in these sections. limit the experienor• and the viability of a baainess venture. Entrepreneurship is to he encouraged in the County of Iiawaiti, this proposed ordinance ]units job creationSor these naeded emerging industries. Plcasc reconsider the complete Bill 148 to be regarded and used as a tool [o encourabe diversification and cntreprcncurship for those that wish to create or expand afmicultural activities. Yours cincErCly ~ ~,i , Mark McCruffie F_xecutivc Director Hawaii Island Economic Development Board Cc: Chriswpher 1. Yuen, Planning Director, County of Flawai'i