HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0018.003 2006-2008
DEC-19-2006 08:46 AM HOOVER TWY 808 885 9691 P. 02
HAWAII LEEWARD PLANNING t;ONFEAENCE
PO BDXfIN • IMARIF1A iNwM tAlealN
Statement of
Jacqul Hoover, Presldatrt
Hawaii Leeward Planning ConNrence
Tuesday, 1B Decamtler 2006
9:00 a.m.
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Reacrt 8 Spa
78-128 Ehukal Street, Knllua-Kona. HI
In conalderation of
Resolution No. 18-07
Proposing To Temporsrlly Delay Council AcBon on Rezoning Applications
In the Didrleta of North and South Kona until the
North and South Nona Community Development Plan
Is Adopted b!r Ordinsnee, or Until Aprl11, 2007, Whichever Shall Occur First
The HOrlOrable K Angel POago, Chair
ThB Nonorabls Dominic Yagong, V(ce-Chair
and Msmbaro of the Hawaii County Council
Committee on Plenning
25 Aupunl Street, Advance Coov Via Fagsimile: 18081981-891.2
Hilc, Haweil 88720 Advance Coov VIO_~siRllle;,(8oB) 329-4786
Aloha Chair Pilago, Vice-Chair Yagong and Members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on Planning:
I am Jacqui Hoover, President of the Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference {HIPC) whose members are
committed to sound planning, wise use of our resources, and effective government process.
Numerous members of the HLPC and 1 have, and will continue to participate In the Kona Community
Development Plan (CDP) process which provides the opportunity for public input towards specific areas and
issues for implementation within the broader umbrella of the Hawaii County General Plan. During this process,
wa have heard and indeed voiced our own, frustration and concerns about insufficient infrastructure,
congestion and other issues related to both the current situation as well as, that which is being stimulated by
future growth.
If this resolution is being stimulated in part by such concerns then we would ask that the Council consider Dorn
the stimuli and response(s) in a comprehensive manner. At present, it is unGear how postponement of
rezoning pending updating and implementing by ordinance, the CDP for North and South Kona, will address
existing infrastructure concerns absent discussion of both short-term (to meet current needs) and long-term (to
meet needs stimulated by future growth), commitment to and funding of, identified infrastructure requirements.
Rezoning often provides a mechanism for providing roads, water systems, school and commercial sites, and
ether irlfrastructuro that may be lost to the community if consideration of suet rezoning applications, are
delayed by this resoltAion. The resolution does not provide a mechanism for dealing with the causes of
existing traffic congestion. One way to deal with congestion is to encourage commercial and shopping
development in areas closer to existing residences to lessen commute time and distances, thereby eliminating
some of the traffic on main roads. This theme Is one Utat has been discussed at many of the CDP meetings
(including working groups) in which I have participated.
Comm. No.
Ref. Top
Ref. Uate
DEC-19-2006 09:46 RM HOOVER TWY 808 885 9691 P. B3
To enact "no grortrth" /moratorium-based legislation effectively ensures that we will always be faced with
"catching up" while axduding the very stakeholders (developers and land owners) who can best provide ua
with the opportunities entl resources for RESPONSIBLE Growth and Development. Responsible growth and
development is vNtat we should ba striving for tc ensure that we can provide the opportunity for a lifestyle
consistent with our General Plan as well as, our hopes and desires for our children, their children and future
generations. To establish that growth and development is conducted in a manner that is responsible,
sustainable, and embraces "collective responsibility", it is important that ALL stakeholders including developers
and land owners be engaged in the process.
Rather than providing much needed darity and consistency, the resolution appears to erode property rights
through poor definition, thereby increasing the level of uncertainty for land development, and atfer„;vely
transferring rights to use of property from the property owner through the political process, to the general
public. The problem appears to be related specifically to resource distritwtion. An excerpt from an artide titled
"Growth Management in Florida, Lessons for the National Economy" written in 1990 that reviewed Floritla's
Growth Management Act speaks directly to this and states "When resources are allocated through the private
sector of the economy, distributional issues are secondary because all parties have an incentive to structure
trades so that everyone gains. Otherwise the trade would not take place. When resources are allocated
through the public sector, dlstnbutional issues are important because, unless unanimous consent is required,
there is always die possibility that some indivitluals will impose costs on ocher non-consenting individuals
through the political process." In other worts, by transferring property rigMS from property ovmers to the public
domain, property owners are subjected to political decision making and "as a result, rights that were at one
pima mnro rlonrly doAned booome mono aa..,lr .Mn irw ~.,c+r~~rm or common OWfSOfChrp anrAO".
This is important to the tliscussion as one considers other desired outcomes of the CDP including and not
limited to, affordable housing. An unintended consequence for consideration is whether this resolution may
encourage existing property owners to keep developable land scare thereby maintaining high property values
that discourage deveopment thereby creating a negative impact on affordable housing (both rental arni for
puronase).
One should also consider unintended consequences and negative impact that may result from deferring such
decision-making exclusively in Kona. For example, would this moratorium on rezoning encourage developers
to look at areas outside North and South Kona, thereby exacerbating problems and encouraging sprawl into
ocher regions of the island whero CDPS are not expected for months and/or years after Kona's CDP Steering
Committee has made its recommendations?
To quote Thomas Jefferson, "Delay is preferable to error". I contend that in this case, the delay On rezoning
would in fad, be the error and that the delay that would be preferable to this error is for Resolution 18-07 to
be held In its prosent form, and that efforts be undertaken to work with ALL stakeholders to enhance
collaborative efforts to foster growth and development that is collectively responsible and responsive.
Mahalo for the opportunity to express our views on this matter.
Respectfully submitted,
NAWAlI LEEWARD PLANNING OONrlRENCE
PA. [OOr li[f, KAMUELA, HAWAII 96743
PIpNEr aM.ta/.!!ae
RAX: /Oa.lOS.~a00
b1oCOh~WdlaMd.nd
2