Land use and zoning reform in Puna

[Bob Orts]

Dan, what I linked was not the General Plan; it was only to show there is a general plan. The GP calls for the incorporation of any CDP into the GP, so the PCDP will be part of the GP.

Just to give an example the GP calls for improving the current commercial centers
14.3.5.1.2 © Rehabilitation of existing commercial development
and that new areas are to be developed
14.3.5.1.2 (e) Allow the establishment of small neighborhood commercial areas within existing non-conforming, residential-agricultural (rural) subdivisions
All this and a whole lot more are in the full GP.

The real problem is the GP was approved Feb 9th 2006, and is based on the visions between 2002 -2005. Those visions have been widely ignored by people moving to the County and although the GP states what is going to happen, people have changed the dynamics and want something else.

Ten years from now the GP and the PCDP won't be worth the paper it’s printed on because newcomers will have their vision of what Puna should be. That vision may not resemble anything people envision today. No matter what you or anyone has as a vision for Puna's future, it's meaningless when newcomers arrive.

You can set out and design the most appropriate plan to guide Puna for the next 50 years, but in 10 years, it will meet the exact same fate as the current GP is meeting because people will want their Puna, not your Puna.

Just like people today feel the current GP and zoning doesn’t meet today’s need, so shall it be in 10 years. You want it changed to deal with what you want and ignore what the people in the past wanted, so shall they do to you.

[JWFITZ]

I can't believe I agree with Bob.

Ten years is a pipe dream. Try five.

Anyway, as a thought experiment. In 2015. Project: 1) What will be the cost of a gallon of gasoline. 2) What will be the cost of in KW from Helco 3) What will be the unemployment rate 4) What will be the price of a median home in Puna 4) What will be the base interest rate that such homes can be purchased at 5) What then? Do you really think you're going to run a local economy on tourism and building houses?

Build out to 250000? Never, ever, going to happen.

Edited to say Bob and I probably have more in common than not. . .

http://sensiblesimplicity.lefora.com/

[Rob Tucker]

Bob,

This is one of the strangest things you've ever posted. And you are one of our most thoughtful posters. Of course it will be different in ten years. What else could happen? What we do or do not do now may affect whether it is better different or worse different. None of us controls the future alone. Together the best we can hope for is to affect it. We already have a pretty good idea what comes from doing nothing - nothing.

Ten years from now this will be the good old days.

[Rob Tucker]

Yeah Jay,

Neva gonna happan is what the developers said in 1959 too.

What is quite possible is that no matter how rough things might get here it may well be much, much rougher on the mainland and people will come if they can.

[JWFITZ]

Sure, but they said that for different reasons. Mostly apathy. I'm saying for fundamental economic reasons. That's different.

Doing nothing is bad?

Not true, really, Rob. Doing nothing can be a very fine investment strategy. One of the best really, and how fortunes are made. Hawaii has a chance to get a piece of that action if we clear our minds and look solidly at the future.

Hey, we can talk about all this, but it requires talking about it, not platitudes. . .

Unfortunately, there's tremendous resistance to even entering the conversation in a meaningful manner. . .

Why?

Believe me, if you want to enter into that conversation, there are many who would enjoy joining you. If you don't you run the risk of being left behind. This is what Bob is getting at, and he's dead right.

http://sensiblesimplicity.lefora.com/

[DanielP]

Thanks Bob,

Are you saying that the problems are being created by the visions of the newcomers? As if they are creating the problems by just showing up?

The planning process is supposed to plan for them TO show up. The population will be determined by the economics. Lot's of parcels...CHEAP... in HAWAII!

The needs of traffic flow and basic services should be obvious. Planners, REAL planners, who look decades into the future, without politics to cloud their judgement, can do this. It has nothing to do with what I want. It should not be based on public opinion. (Bashing expected). It should be based on sound planning; moving people,goods,and services efficiently and safely.

Dan

[Rob Tucker]

If you say so Jay.

Didn't you predict eighteen months ago that in eighteen months money would be worthless? Didn't I predict eighteen months ago that in eighteen months you'd still be shopping at Home Depot? You didn't do nothing. You planted sweet potatoes. If you keep predicting that nothing means anything because it's all coming to an end then eventually you may be right.

I was raised on the end of the world as we know it in the 1960's and 1970's and somehow the sun still came up in the morning and the cow still needed milking.

Zoning is an issue that affects the ebb, flow and direction of growth in Puna. Lack of planning will result in worsening conditions. Some wish for that, I don't.

[JWFITZ]

No: perhaps you could source that? Don't read into my comments what you wish them to be to discredit a viable vision.

http://sensiblesimplicity.lefora.com/

[Rob Tucker]

Sorry Jay. No time for it.

[JWFITZ]

I don't doubt it. You've got a big development to build in Kau and it must take all your time.

http://sensiblesimplicity.lefora.com/