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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0073.001 2012-2014 comments on Comm. 73 (Bill 25) re. ag tourism for Hawai'i County Council Committee on Planning 1 PM Tuesday, January 22, 2013 West Hawai'i Civic Center by Cory Harden, Sierra Club, Moku Loa Group, PO Box 1137, Hilo. Hawaii 96721 mh@interpac.net 808-968-8965 Thank you for continuing the work on ag tourism. As you know, the original ag tourism bill, Bill 266, comes before Council tomorrow. It's our understanding that some amendments we want for Bill 266 cannot be added at this point, because of Council rules. We hope Council members can figure out a way to get a final bill, no matter what number it has, that focuses on growing more food here on our island, and protecting neighbors from ag tourism impacts. We urge that the final bill include the following: From Bill 25 • The definition for"non-agriculturally related uses" From Bill 266 • Everything in the "draft 6"we received from Ms. Ford yesterday, with some minor exceptions From community ideas • A broader title to allow necessary amendments • A requirement that the ag tourism operator be the owner, operator, or occupant of the farm, to keep local control • Strong protections for special places, more than the "no-four-wheel drive" provision • Limits on property size to minimize impacts to neighbors • Limits on number of operations in one neighborhood • A requirement for plan approval for minor, as well as major, ag products processing facilities • A requirement for a completed or accepted application, not just an application, within six months if the visitor count rises • Lower numbers of visitors allowed in single day--perhaps ten for each acre • Use of per-day limits for visitors and vehicles. not per-week or per-year, so they can't all come on one day • Requirements for adequate smoke detectors and exits in buildings visitors use • Requirements for general liability and product liability insurance • Ways for neighbors to raise concerns about ongoing operations • Sufficient fees to fund enforcement Mahal() for your consideration. Comm. No. 7 Ref. � Ref. To:te Da JQ P 2 2'3'2013 TRANSMISSION VERIFICATION REPORT TIME : 01/22/2013 12: 59 NAME : COUNTY CLERK FAX : 808-961-8912 TEL : 808-961-8255 SER.# : BROE3J414915 DATE,TIME 01/22 12: 58 FAX NO. /NAME 93294786 DURATION 00: 00: 24 PAGE(S) 01 RESULT OK MODE STANDARD ECM comments on Comm.73 (Bill 25) re.ag tourism for Hawai'i County Council Committee on Planning 1 PM Tuesday, January 22, 2013 West Hawaii Civic Center by Cory Harden, Sierra Club, Moku Loa Group, PO Box 1137, Hilo, Hawaii 96721 rnh( interpac.net 806-968-8965 Thank you for continuing the work on ag tourism. As you know, the original ag tourism bill, Bill 266, comes before Council tomorrow. Its our understanding that some amendments we want for Bill 266 cannot be added at this point, because of Council rules. We hope Council members can figure out a way to get a final bill, no matter what number it has,that focuses on growing more food here on our island, and protecting neighbors from ag tourism impacts. We urge that the final bill include the following: From Bill 25 • The definition for'non-agriculturally related uses" From Bill 266 • Everything in the "draft 6"we received from Ms. Ford yesterday, with-some minor exceptions From community ideas • A broader title to allow necessary amendments • A requirement that the ag tourism operator be the owner, operator, or occupant of the farm, to keep local control • Strong protections for special places, more than the "no-four-wheel drive" provision • Limits on property size to minimize impacts to neighbors • Limits on number of operations in one neighborhood • A requirement for plan approval for minor, as well as major, ag products processing facilities • A requirement for a completed or accepted application, not just an application,within six months if the visitor count rises