HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0128.053 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
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From: christy welsh [thepathofdevotion @yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 8:17 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Bill 270
Aloha County Council members,
When considering Bill 270, remember:
I'll SEP 20
Page 1 of 1
It is SHAMEFUL to consider making criminal penalties for non -
permitted buildings, and those built without following the standard
code!
I currently live in a permitted home with my family, but when I first came to the islands 13 years ago, I rented a small
cozy cabin in a rural location, which was not permitted. Over the years I rented three other non permitted dwellings,
all in rural locations, before I bought a home in Nanawale Estates. All of the non permitted dwellings were safe, well
made, and attractive buildings. They generally were made simply and suited their locations well. They were
affordable for my family as we got onto our feet here in Hawaii.
I fully support a proposal for a future alternative Rural low density building code.
The two most important issues on this Bill are:
1. The inclusion of an amendment stating "adoption of this regulation does not limit or prevent the adoption of
alternative codes and building regulations by Hawaii County, nor does it require a future amendment to this bill."
2. Removal of the section 5 -48 -5 on Page 17 that changes infractions from a civil to a criminal offense.
Why would you penalize people for trying to live within their means? There needs to be a re- evaluation of the
purpose and necessity of the specifics of building codes in rural Hawaii. These codes need to support people, not
undermine them in creating affordable, sustainable housing for everyone. If I or my husband we a carpenter, we
would have built such a simple, affordable, sustainable building ourselves, rather than be shouldered with the long
term mortgage we must now pay.
Mahalo nui,
Christy
Comm. No. (2'• J3
Ref. To: Prowled Council
l
Ref. Date SEP 21 2011
9/20/2011