HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0936.010 2008-2010 WILDFIN SEA GRILL
59 -916 Kohala Ranch Road
Kamuela, Hawaii 96743
Telephone: (808) 987 -7336
October 18, 2010
Hawaii County Council
Committee on Public Works
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Chair and Members of the Committee
Subject: Proposed amendments to Chapter 27, Article 2 and Article 4 of the Hawaii County
Code related to Floodplain Management
This is to offer our support for the proposed amendments to Chapter 27 of the Hawaii County
Code. We are in the process of building a new restaurant in Kawaihae, South Kohala, a small
portion of which is within the current 50' buffer zone but not within the designated flood zone.
Upon completion in approximately 2 years, the restaurant will provide employment for
approximately 60 employees (45 full -time equivalent positions).
While we understand the importance of floodplain management, we strongly support the
elimination of the 50 foot buffer area to the FEMA flood zones. The FEMA flood zones have
been carefully developed to provide the necessary controls to prevent improvements in one
area from increasing the impact on another. The added 50' buffer is arbitrary and imposes
unforeseen and unintended limitations on the flexibility of landowners to improve and maintain
their properties. In our case, placing a relatively small amount of material to level an area by
raising low spots in the existing grade a foot or two would be denied, even though the area is
not within the actual flood zone.
While we are just one case in which the current regulations constrain activities outside of the
flood zone, we are aware of other situations where development costs would be increased
and/or the best use of land is constrained without providing significant benefit or protection.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with our comments on this matter.
Sincerely,
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Sc o' Be, in' roject Manager
WildFin Sea Grill
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Date 2010