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+--- Thread: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos (/showthread.php?tid=16894)
code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - kalakoa - 02-14-2016
Someone is working their grudge out by complaining about "unpermitted" situations in Ranchos -- 96 of them:
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/multiple-ocean-view-homeowners-turned-building-code-violations
Predictably, impact is worst for those who can least afford it:
The man said he and his wife aren’t living in an illegal 576-square foot cabin to flaunt the law, but out of necessity. "We lost everything in the recession," he said. "We moved in as soon as we got the roof on it."
Meanwhile, there's a shortage of affordable housing:
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/summit-aims-open-doors
I suggest that the permit-license-fee-inspection regime and ever-more-complicated building codes aren't really solving the problems faced by lower-income residents -- nor am I convinced that those who reap the "value" of permitted construction are necessarily willing to subsidize those who can't afford a roof over their heads.
RE: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - Tink - 02-14-2016
If all of a sudden they start enforcing unpermitted structures after years of looking the other way they should at least have an amnesty program in place. Reduced permit fees, enforce the critical life/safety issues and let the rest slide. So what if a licensed plumber didn't do the work. If it meets code, and functions properly let it go. Electrical? Have the staff electrical inspector check for safety items, or have licensed electricians hired on as needed to certify existing electrical for safety and done. Base Code on owners first receipt of materials for dwelling if they want to get technical.
Community begins with Aloha
RE: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - Chunkster - 02-14-2016
Tink says: "If all of a sudden they start enforcing unpermitted structures after years of looking the other way they should at least have an amnesty program in place. Reduced permit fees, enforce the critical life/safety issues and let the rest slide."
This is entirely too sensible for this county government to figure out or for our politicians to rework. When the current, stricter building codes were adopted, advocates for affordable housing and people with just plain common sense argued against the cookie cutter mainland code that was cut and pasted into our law. Now we get this. It is only part of our homeless problem, but it all adds up.
RE: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - Rob Tucker - 02-14-2016
Our county government has a direct hand in most every chronic problem on the island... and it's not a hand in solving the problems. It is a hand in creating and maintaining them.
I am astounded at the amount of public debt Kenoi has created while solving basically nothing.
RE: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - Kapoho Joe - 02-14-2016
quote:
Originally posted by kalakoa
Someone is working their grudge out by complaining about "unpermitted" situations in Ranchos -- 96 of them:
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/multiple-ocean-view-homeowners-turned-building-code-violations
Predictably, impact is worst for those who can least afford it:
The man said he and his wife aren’t living in an illegal 576-square foot cabin to flaunt the law, but out of necessity. "We lost everything in the recession," he said. "We moved in as soon as we got the roof on it."
Meanwhile, there's a shortage of affordable housing:
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/summit-aims-open-doors
I suggest that the permit-license-fee-inspection regime and ever-more-complicated building codes aren't really solving the problems faced by lower-income residents -- nor am I convinced that those who reap the "value" of permitted construction are necessarily willing to subsidize those who can't afford a roof over their heads.
So do you agree with the basic premise of Building Codes?
RE: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - kalakoa - 02-14-2016
the amount of public debt Kenoi has created
There's something like $135M in "approved" bonds yet to be issued...
enforce the critical life/safety issues and let the rest slide
I keep thinking "safety sticker", similar to vehicle inspection.
RE: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - kalakoa - 02-14-2016
So do you agree with the basic premise of Building Codes?
I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all Code that must be universally applied, nor do I support arbitrary and capricious enforcement that has little or no relevance.
Look no further than Uncle Robert's as an example: blatantly unpermitted non-compliant structures/electrical/plumbing in which unlicensed food preparation and alcohol sales take place. County and State are "selectively" not bothering to enforce any of the rules and regulations which are inflicted upon others elsewhere, and in so doing, they undermine their own legitimate authority.
Safe bet that Uncle Robert's is taking in plenty of money; entirely possible that no GET is being collected. Meanwhile, County goes after people who can barely afford a shack.
The even bigger irony is that County has aerial photos and expensive software (that we paid for with our tax dollars) that can identify new construction as it appears -- and they use this information selectively at their (not our) discretion.
We pay for the rules to be written and enforced, but somehow the process has its own agenda, whether we agree with it or not.
RE: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - Seeb - 02-14-2016
First step the people there need to do is file a stalking complaint against the John Doe that wrote the complaints.
RE: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 02-14-2016
County has aerial photos and expensive software that can identify new construction as it appears -- and they use this information selectively at their (not our) discretion.
...
Uncle Robert's as an example: blatantly unpermitted non-compliant structures/electrical/plumbing in which unlicensed food preparation and alcohol sales
So we have a government that doesn't pay close attention, and people on the "Do Not Call About Code" list.
I believe you have hit on a way we can all benefit by this situation kalakoa. Want to open a bakery in Keaau? Name it Uncle Robert's Ohana Bakery. Start a restaurant without expensive stainless steel appliances? Put up a sign "Uncle Robert's Ono Grinds."
Build a house? List everything under "Uncle Robert's Extended Family Living Trust."
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard
RE: code enforcement circus comes to Ranchos - kalakoa - 02-14-2016
file a stalking complaint against the John Doe that wrote the complaints
Such action would probably require a subpoena to discover the identity of said Doe.
Related issue: presumes that complainant can see the "unpermittedness" from a public view and/or without trespassing upon private property. Inevitably, someone will come up with the bright idea of using a drone to accomplish this, opening an additional can of worms.
Name it Uncle Robert's Ohana Bakery.
Followed by lawsuits when it turns out that this "unwritten exemption" applies only to a specific TMK in Kaimu... entertainment at its finest.