HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0325.025 2016-2018 MVP RG
eOttM. 326
COUNTY RK
Murashige, Laura
COUNTY F wm.
From: Steph Bath <stephbath@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday,July 02, 2017 12:07 PM MU JUL _3 AM 8 58
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 47 uncertain/rethink this one
Aloha council folks,
The idea of local farmers being able to sell their goods is great!
The concern I have about this bill is that public parks will turn into commerce stations with non locally grow
items and all manner of imported items and non farm related services.
The concern is that public parks will become flea markets.
Many island families, and I imagine visitors,enjoy our parks as a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of
media commerce and consumption.
Additionally there is a health and safety issue that potentially arises if the bill passes.
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For example, Kurtistown park is very small. There is limited parking and there is also steady traffic to and from
the water spicots.
Can you imagine the traffic hazards and lack of parking created when as little as three vendors are selling.
Imagine one car per vendor at any given time.
Where will they set up. Where will customers park? On highway 11?
Where will those wanting to use the sports facilities and playground and pavilion park. Will a farmers market
create an environment that effects the other park uses?
Consider shipman park. During soccer season and when folks use the pavilion as a gathering place, general
public traffic and impact will effect the balance of this site. What about sanitation?
Please consider these scenerios!
I am not one to 86 an idea without offering up an alternative viable option if possible.
Here is something to consider:
In the PCDP, connectivity and some of the connectivity locations (CL)have been sited as potential sites for
linear parks. These sites can be aquired,possibility with P and R aquiring adjacent parcels to the CL with the
intent of"planning" for linear parks and services more centrally located to communities. They can consider
these sites as farmers markets:)
This will allow families to jog,walk, cycle, ride horse and...drive to the market.
The intent is to keep it local.
The highway 11/hirano store park will be a logistical and safety nightmare if this Bill passes.
Lets focus on short and long term solutions consistent with the voice of the people through our PCDPs. The
County gave us the opportunities to plan what we wanted for our future.Now would be an ideal time for county
departments to get together and look at the implementation chart included in the PCDP.
Each department can identify goals their department can assist in providing.
They can make a list that applies to their specific department.
Next each other department can review the other departments lists and overlay their projects with the other
departments list,pooling resources and collaborating with each other to realize a vision proposed by
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Ref. To: C_
Rif. Dote • .8
those they serve. They can concurrently work together in creating sites that can provide levels of services
which include farmers markets.
Ie: CL/linear park. Within the linear park might be a structure that can serve as a senior center and
farmers market for vendors!
Are you understanding this idea?
we hope so:)
Above all we must consider the health and safety of our keiki!
Supporting local farmers is consistent with the Hawaii 2050 sustainability plan. I am not sure our parks are set
up for or intended for this use.
Warmly,
Stephanie Bath
Kurtistown
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