HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0537.041 2004-2006 Alokaa `Aina
~y name is Bob Hunter. I live in Waimea. I come today to speak in favor of Pete
Hoffmann and Angel Pilago being allowed to continue co-chairing fhe Hawaii Couzay
Council Plazuung Committee.
Like man}' of you; i fell in love u~zth Hawaii and its people over 39 years ago. Since my
wife and I were able to begin li~•~ing here 9 years ago, I have tried to ieatn about the
culture, histoq and euvironmert of this island and to understand the challenges it faces.
Based on that study. I have con,auded that a better balance is needed between the tights
of landowners to develop their Pand and the rights of pe~>ple c~~ho live emd ~~or:r here to
enjoy an acceptable quality of life and a reasonable cost of Tieing. I have also come m
understand that the costs of acc~~mmodating neti~ developrrient the? are not paid b}'
developers are passed on to cun~ent and future residents; in the form of increased laves
and fees. That is, the costs of affordable housing. roads std schools that are no: borne
by those vvho directly benefit from County Council planning approvals mir t he borne by
those of us who Gve. attd work here. There is no free lunch.
Pete Hoffmann and rUtgel Pilaeo have proven by their actions that they understand the
need to strike a more lair balan.:e hehreen the po~eerfi~l landowners and the peo ~Ie. The}~
have negotiated precedent-setting agreements with developers that have attempted to
right the balance, and Irespect -hew for their hard work end ?ghteousness.
I understattd that some people r :our comtnunit}~ do n<t I'.ke the change tr appt each that
Pete and Angel represent. Those people apparently watt County residents to subsidize
new development by pacing higJter taxes. Pete and Mtge! wattt new devekpment to pea
its fair share of the costs of its impacts on housing, roads and schools. I ask yvu to allo~c
them to rnntinue in that important mission by allowing tktem to continue to co-chair the
County Council Planning Convnitiee.
Bob Hunter _
Waimea
_e- ~ ~ r ,~~zf~~~ -
Comm No. J J~• ~ I
Ref. To: Q~ ~,j
Ref. Uata_~JOV 2 ? Z0~5