COM 0798.028 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 12,2006 Testimony regarding Bill No. 258 Draft 2 My name is Lisa Dangelmaier, and I am testifying on behalf of Paul Pikini and myself. We are engineers who live in Kurtistown on a small bobby farm, zoned A5-A, where we raise and train show and obedience dogs and keep poultry. We thank the Council for the listening to prior commentary regarding this Bill. This draft provides significant improvements. However we do not support the passing of Bill 258 in its present form for the sole reason that the restrictions on animal noise imposed by Article 2, Animal Nuisances, Section 4-5 do not provide exceptions for animals being kept on properties with agricultural zoning. Despite the fact that many new homes have been built in subdivided agricultural tracts, the Big Island is unique among the major Hawaiian Islands in still having retained a country way of life. The rural areas with small farms are essential to the special character of the Big Island. This Bill, as written, threatens to erode the country life style of the Big Island lifestyle, by making it difficult to continue keeping our farm and pet animals in our rural areas. It is impossible to keep any number of animals, be they dogs, goats, ducks, geese or other typical farm animal and ensure they will not be designated a nuisance due to noise as defined in Section 4-5 items (1) and (2). This bill could recognize and serve to preserve the unique country lifestyle for those who reside on rural properties and engage in farming activities. We wish to be good citizens, and moved into our present rural location to pursue those activities permitted on our land. Our property is not covered under any homeowners association or other additional regulations aside from the zoning. We sold our previous home, located in a residential zoning, specifically to pursue the activities allowed by the agriculture zoning; the keeping of animals. This bill as written threatens our ability to continue using our property as we intended. We do try to be considerate to our neigbbon by keeping noises to a minimum, however we cannot ensure quiet, especially during daytime hours. The potential for newcomers to complain about animal noise is of particular concern as two neighboring large agriculture tracts that were dedicated to farming and pastureland have recently been subdivided for the purpose of building spec homes. Section 4-7, General Requirements, item (a) provides an exemption to the Article 2 for commercial enterprises. We would support this bill if a similar exemption were added for animals maintained on properties with agricultural zonings. p Comm. No. 0741. Z~ . Ref. 7o:lt G' Ref. Date AU-11-MA-