HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0088.043 1998-2000 • Kona 2 O • 0
From: Robert Mullane Lrmullane ®soest.hawaii.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 1999 8:45 PM
To: ptp @ilhawaii.net; ctyler @interpac.net
Cc: dmerway @ilhawaii.net; Sara Peck; Mike Varney
Subject: Re: Critical Zoning Issue
Aloha Curtis and Nancy,
As you know, Duane Erwsry alerted me to this proposed change in Hawaii
County's Zoning Ordinances. A list prepared by Judith Graham states that
one of the proposed changes will reduce the County's minimum building
setback:
`A section that established a 40- foot -wide shoreline setback in ordinance,
which is allowed by state law, was deleted. State law only requires a
minimum 20 foot setback. This setback preserves open space along the
shore. Now, as a Planning Department rule, the width of the setback could
be changed by the department with the Mayor's approval. Former section
25 -42 deleted." RECEIVED •
alma ----
If this is indeed being considered. I hope that you two will help DOre._�,__ . _ - ��-
reestablish section 25 -42. Reducing the building setback will put
shoreline developers at increased risk of coastal hazards such as C o :jMy Council /1'- c
hurricanes, tsunamis, larg 3 swells, and other high wave events, as well as
chronic and episodic coastal erosion. Furthermore, shallower setbacks
provide less open space and erosion buffers along shorelines undergoing
coastal erosion, and puts beach users in greater danger during high wave
events.
Additionally, it is my observation that the surveyors on the Rig Island
often delineate the shoreli ie too far makai of where the annual high wash
of the waves and this further the effectiveness of shoreline setback. To
decrease the distance req.rired for setbacks will further compromises
public safety. If anything, the Hawaii County Council should be requiring
'deeper" shoreline setbacks, not narrower setbacks.
If your fellow Councilmem,ers are skeptical of my recommendations in this
email, I would be happy to meet with them and discuss this issue in more
detail. Thank you for your time.
Robert A. Mullane
Hawaii Sea Grant Extension
Maui Community College
310 Kaahumanu Ave.
Kahului, HI 96732
ph. (808) 984 -3254
fax (808) 242-8733
email: rmullane @soest.htrwail.edu
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Ref. Date MAR 9 1999