HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0798.028 2004-2006
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-
Article 2, as written, is reasonable and appropriate to city and residential areas. Persons
who do not wish to be subject to the sounds of animals and farm work could choose to
locate in a residential neighborhood, away from farms and agricultural property, or
choose a home within a subdivision with CC&R's that support their desired lifestyle.
We would like to offer a few comments on other Articles of the bill.
We support Article 3 as written. We were happy to see the proposed dog license fees
reduced to a more reasonable amount. We like that a reduced fee is used to encourage
microchipping. We can accept the proposed $10 fee for our dogs, who are all micro-
chipped, as part of the cost of responsible dog ownership.
We support Article 4 as written and thank the Council for the exceptions made to
accommodate supervised off-leash activities including working, hunting, competing, and
training.
We support Article 5, "Regulation of Dangerous Dogs" as written. We also can support
Article 5, "Cat Identification Program". However, it would be more reasonable to treat
cats in the same manner as dogs and require a license, with a similar fee schedule as
proposed for dogs in Article 3. Cat license fees, could be used to help pay for the costs of
addressing the large feral cat population and impounding stray cats.
Thank you for your time.
Lisa Dangelmaier
Paul Pikini