HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0039.004 1996-1998 Man7yn Haymore
P.O. Box 437
Kuansnown, W 96760 Rp.CEi,,,,p
966-8865
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To: County Council Planning Committee
Re: Communication#39 County Council/P~_
Date: January 7, 1997
Communication #39 on today's agenda proposes two amendments to the Hawaii
County General Plan. Without knowing the complete background and intent of these
proposals I can neither support or oppose them. I will however comment on important
implications prompted by these proposals.
The first proposal concerns a zoning change to a particular area in Kona. The cost
to the County or DLNR for such a change is not mentioned in this proposal. This aspect is
very important and must be adequately researched before any decision can be made.
The second proposal concerning public trails is tied into an interpretation of HRS
Chapter 264 Highways. A precise interpretation of trails, as currently expressed in the
HRS, is essential. A 1988 change to this chapter, primarily done by inserting reference to
the highways act of 1892, appears to have been made in order to further define and
distinguish trails from highways .This however may serve to extend the range or scope of
what a public trail is. Therefore extending protection for the entire lengths of all trails by a
20afoot wide buffer zone presents an unclear and an uninventoried land use change
effecting the County, State and private land owners as well as all of the tax payers.
The proposal is also not cleaz on jurisdictional matters. It appears the proposal
intents for the County to dictate management of State DLNR trails.
To be responsible, an in-depth assessment of Chapter 264 must be made before
making a decision on this proposal. An inventory of trails (trails as defined by Chapter
264) needs to be done and a corresponding inventory of land use impacts and costs that
would occur to the different government and private parties must be listed and considered.
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