HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0936.015 2008-2010 mow
October 18, 2010
Honorable Councilman Guy Enriques
Chairman of the Public Works Committee
Re: Written testimony in support of the proposed changes to Chapter 27 of the Hawaii County
Code regarding Flood Management
Sent via Email
Dear Councilman Enriques:
I am writing to you in support of the proposed changes to Chapter 27 regarding flood
management.
The Hara family has owned property on the makai side of Kilauea Avenue since sometime in the
50's, which was managed by Stanley Hara until his recent passing. Unfortunately the building
has a large amount of deferred maintenance that we are just beginning to assess.
It is our understanding that the FEMA flood inundation line currently lies just makai of our
parcel. However when the 50 foot buffer is added, we fail under Chapter 27. It is also our
understanding that the 50 foot buffer is not required by FEMA. We are unclear that this buffer
helps us in any way and actually will cause us quite an additional expense.
Our buildings are old and will require substantial new investment. We want to improve them
but clearly the cost to do so is important. Although we have not yet done any complete
inventory of what needs to be repaired nor prepared any plans, we believe that we will need to
upgrade the roof and other building elements and improve the parking around the building. We
are very concerned that the current definition of "substantial improvement" will limit our ability
to make these repairs in an efficient, well planed, cost effective way over the next several years.
We like the look and feel of downtown. We are not looking to change that. But we must fix our
building over time. Our family has been part of downtown for a long time and we want to stay
there.
We ask the Council to eliminate the 50 foot buffer zone and to return to the definition of
substantial improvement back to 50% every 3 years.
Thank you for your consideration.
Janet W. Hara
Ref. To, W C..
Raft Date 201