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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0745.026 2010-2012 • October 16, 2012 Hawaii County Council : 25 Aupuni St. Hilo HI 96760 Re: Comm. 745.19 re. Bill 266, draft 3, re.agricultural tourism Hawai'i County Council 9 AM Wednesday, October 17, 2012, Hilo County Building Aloha, I am Deborah Ward, speaking on behalf of the Moku Loa Group of Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter. Mahalo nui to Brenda Ford. for addressing many concerns raised by the public. The draft#3 reflects many, if not most, of the concerns raised by farmers and other members of the community. Please consider concerns that were not addressed— For Hawai'i County, permit applications should include proof of: • Legal road access • Adequate road and site access for fire, ambulance, and police • Ability and plans to repair wear and tear on roads, or proof the County or State are responsible • Plans for signs clearly designating the site • Designated loading/unloading areas in parking lot • Plans to control dust • Measures to prevent trespass and theft on neighbors' property • Adequate smoke detectors and exits in buildings quests will use • Adequate confinement for any animals • Clear designation of areas off-limits to visitors • Adequate restrooms and sewer services • General liability and product liability insurance , • Compatibility with character of neighborhood Regulations should include: • Requiring the operator of the tourism business to be the owner, operator, or occupant of the farm • Requiring notice of proposed agritourism to neighbors by letters and signs • Avenues for neighbors to raise concerns and contest proposed agritourism • Counting as agritourism revenue: revenue from selling items that include agricultural products grown or processed by the associated agricultural activity or agricultural processing facility Bill 266, draft 3 (6) on p. 7 • Simple noise limits (e.g. if you can hear it from a certain distance, it's too loud) • Required annual evidence that agriculture income is greater than agritourism income (e.g. . Schedule F, general excise tax declaration) • Provisions (but not automatic approval!)for what to do if a proposal isn't reviewed in 60 days* • Fees to fund enforcement Please note that in cutting the approval period to to 30 days, from 60, the code should specify what happens if there is no approval in 30 days. Also, clarify whether plan approval is needed for farm market/ roadside stand for ag products raised solely on that land, if parking is available. Thank y �� • Comm. S, 2 N Ref.To: rl Cai,t.tn Ref. Date OCT 1 7 2012