HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0658.003 2018-2020 7
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From: Peggy Farias
To: Council Testimonv
Subject: Written Testimony to Planning Committee in SUPPORT of RESOLUTION 432-20
Date: Monday,January 06,2020 11:05:16 AM
Aloha Planning Committee Members,
This email is intended to serve as written testimony in SUPPORT of Resolution 432-20,
scheduled for consideration at your meeting on January 7, 2019.
As head of the family company that is the largest private landowner in Puna, I can state
without question that it is past time for the Subdivision and Zoning Codes of Hawaii County to
be reviewed, updated, and streamlined. Our county will benefit from revised codes that
continue to protect the environment and public interests without unduly inhibiting
development and progress.
The County Department of Research and Development recently hired the consultant firm
Munekiyo Hiraga for a project entitled"Real Estate Development Opportunities and
Challenges in Hawai'i County." In one meeting I attended at which the consultants were
presenting,they posed the question: "What are the greatest obstacles to development in
Hawai'i County?" Several of the landowners and developers present, including myself, .,
answered without hesitation that the subdivision and zoning processes are near the top of that p
list. Subdivision and zoning processes in Hawai'i county are not only cumbersome but are also
expensive. The added time, effort, and expense required here versus in other locations inhibits
development on our island, resulting in lack of housing, lack of jobs and economic
opportunities for our people, and lack of services as well. When development does occur, the
added time, effort, and expense related to subdivision and zoning result in higher costs for
housing and for commercial real estate, which translates into higher costs for products and
services.
Reviewing, updating, and streamlining our Subdivision and Zoning Codes can only benefit the
island. Responsible development can be encouraged by improving the processes while
incorporating modern concepts and environmental protections, and in the long term will result
in more housing availability, better jabs, and improved services for our island community.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Peggy Farias, President
W. H. Shipman, Limited
16-523 Keaau-Pahoa Road
Keaau, Hawaii 96749
Phone: (808)966-9325 x9
FAX: (808)966-8522
email: mefariasPwhshipman com
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