HomeMy WebLinkAboutProposed amendment PC Rule 8 & 9 H. Phillips Testimony 04.19.23 DISTRIBUTED AT 4-20-23
JOINT LPC & WPC HEARING
Proposed Amendments to PC Rules 8 & 9
From: Hartley Phillips Testimony H. Phillips 04.19.23
To: WPCtestimonv; LPCtestimonv
Subject: Testimony for 4/20/23 Shoreline Setback Hearing
Date: Wednesday,April 19,2023 10:58:05 AM
Notice of this meeting was first in the Hawaii Tribune Herald yesterday and,when I was finally able to access/read
the proposal(since the link in the article was inoperable)the written comment timeframes had passed. Please
consider these comments and correct your notice practices for the future!
The only provisions that should be eliminated from the proposal are: 1-the definition of"development"including
construction of a private residence,and 2-the notification requirement to everyone within 300'. In an existing
subdivision,the County has allowed all parcels to be established for the sole purpose of constructing residences. If
environmental changes have occurred that influence the ability to construct a residence,that can be handled through
the existing SMA process,rather than imposing new,onerous procedures,like these.
The commissions can actually serve the public by assessing whether the SMA designations should be changed. For
instance,the Kapoho community was overcome by lava almost 5 years ago,placing it 1/2 mile inland and at an 80'+
elevation,yet the County continues to not take the initiative to support the community's recovery tie.removing
Kapoho SMA designation,waiving grading/grubbing fees for community road repair/restoration,not replacing
access timely so the communities can reestablishment their own infrastructure,etc.).
Additionally,why should your rules exempt the County/State from the requirements they impose on the people they
are supposed to serve? An example of this is that they are proposing to battle nature at Pohoiki by massive dredging
the newly formed 1/2 mile natural beach(which they admit will be difficult to keep clear of sand),while at the same
time preventing landowners from minor"hardening"/aka protecting their properties.
Mahalo for your consideration, Hartley and Magdalene Phillips