HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0128.097 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
From: geomike5 @att.net
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2011 3:51 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Bill 270 and related communications
Dear Council members:
The continued postponement of a vote on the building code grows deeper into an
embarrassment for the County Council. There is really no comprehensive way to balance the
pros and cons of arguments being presented so there must be a return to the fundamental
reasoning for building codes.
Codes are developed for the health and safety of the people, not only the original
occupant or user but for subsequent buyers who cannot look inside walls to examine
construction methods. One code cannot address all demographic concerns. Florida may need
special concerns for hurricanes and California special needs for earthquakes. Hawaii
needs to address both.
The argument that the current code as considered precludes the building of affordable
housing is preposterous. Labor and land are the two greatest costs.
If a homeowner, not licensed in any particular trade wants to do the construction to save
on labor costs, would a building department allow him to use lamp cord in the walls in
place of properly gauged and insulated wire for electrical use? One would hope not. Is a
Fort Knox safe room required for every building? Probably not, if a reinforced closet
suffices. That is more important for commercial establishments than homes.
There are some things to consider outside the current discussion. Could a buyer obtain
full property insurance coverage if a house were built to substandard codes? Does the
County want to propagate second class citizens by allowing substandard code to guide
construction of affordable housing?
I recommend that the building code move before Council and it pass the code as presented
or to follow that of the State precisely, with a single amendment that exemptions for
certain issues can be considered when presented at the time of permitting. I suppose the
Council can do nothing until the State mandates a code for the County, but that does
nothing to reduce the embarrassment suggesting a dysfunctional Council.
Simply put, vote for the code, allow exemptions on a case by case basis, and move on.
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-a-r-
Mike Reimer
GeoMike5 @att.net
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