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<br /> 07/17/06 HON 14:37 FAX 808 988 8522 WH SHIPMAN 11001 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> -Ja; <br /> W.H. Shuman <br /> <br /> 2006 JUL 17 PM 2 ti l.in- ted <br /> <br /> <br /> COUN I ` Date: July 17, 2006 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Couneilmember Stacy Higa, Chair and Presiding Member <br /> County of Hawaii, County Council <br /> County of Hawaii Building <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> <br /> Re: Resolution 381-06 to postpone actions on rezoning in North and South Kona <br /> <br /> Dear Councilmember Higa, <br /> <br /> My name is Bill Walter and I am President of W. H. Shipman, Limited, a land owner in <br /> Keaau, Puna District, Island of Hawaii. The above referenced resolution proposes to <br /> freeze all zoning in North and South Kona until completion of the Community <br /> Development plan for that district - now being worked on. <br /> The intent of the resolution is to improve the overall planning process, among others, and <br /> the proposed delay is set to be no more than six months. The intent would appear to be <br /> appropriate and the delay benign in the long run. However, all legislation takes place in a <br /> context. Depending on the context what appears to be benign can often be significantly <br /> destructive. <br /> <br /> The context of our zoning process is complex, as you know, including: <br /> <br /> • State of Hawaii zoning changes start at the State level with State land use <br /> classifications. Following State classifications are County General Plans and <br /> finally zoning itself. With few exceptions all levels must be in alignment. <br /> Moving land through this process averages more than seven years according to <br /> recent studies. A seven year lag time between when demand is registered and <br /> land use comes in line with that demand explains no small part of the high cost of <br /> property in the State. <br /> • Affordable and moderately priced housing are in serious deficiency in the State. <br /> On the Island of Hawaii this is more so in Kona than in other districts, although <br /> all districts suffer from prices higher than most residents can afford. <br /> • Additional services at most government and non government organizations are <br /> struggling to keep up with demand. Those primarily affected by resulting <br /> 16-523 Keaau-Pahoa Road Keaau, HI 06749 <br /> lei.: 808-966.9325 • fax: 808.966,8522 <br /> www,whshipman.com Comm. No. 9 L7. 3t <br /> Ref. To: Pre•eaW <br /> Ref. Uate JUL 19 2006 <br />