06-18-2012, 02:33 PM
I am quite amazed at the take on this subject. As a contractor who builds developments (all over the mainland) (yes – I do live here – in the Acres with my lovely wife and 3 Rottweiler’s) let me share with you the reality of how matters like this get spiraled out of community control.
Now, again, let me state, I am the contractor. My vested interest in any project comes in actual bricks and mortar. My company does not deal with permit issues – or development issues – just the actual construction.
I have seen time and time again where a developer wants to build something, but the land where he wants to build it is not zoned properly. Knowing that most communities will not welcome what that developer has in mind, the developer works with the property owner behind the scenes and gets the property owner to get the property properly zoned – then sells it – to the developer - at a huge discount over what the developer would pay to get it rezoned for his intended use. Also, the property owner – in addition to the increased price he can now get from the developer for the sale of the property – is also generally paid a “fee” for doing the dirty work.
This is how McDonalds gets built – or Burger King – or KFC. We have built “fast food” restaurants in less than 30 days – from breaking ground to serving the first burger.
Now – I know you can’t do things that fast here in Hawaii, but one must ask – other than this zoning SOLELY generating a higher sale price for the current owner – who has the land listed for sale – how could something “unknown” generate something good for this community?
When you consider the numerous outcomes that would be a disaster to this entire community versus the good that could come.
How about the NEW owner get special tax breaks if the proposed zoning change results in something good for this community, instead of giving a sight unseen potential new owner to decide that a McDonalds in the middle of Pahoa would be better?
Bottom line here – this zoning change if it had been allowed – would only benefit an absentee landowner in the increased price someone would pay for the land.
Call it anti business if you will – I know it seems like that what it is. But let me tell you – in the real business world – this type of rezoning measure is how a lot of big box retail gets built – on the mainland – yes I know – but what would make this place any different?
As for what is anti-business here in Hawaii – well for my Company – it’s called General Excise Tax.
Number 1 reason why my company does not do work here – but is why I live here.
I also think the personality disorders displayed here have a lot more to do with those against the owners of the surf shop next door than that of the actual owners of the surf shop.
As for our elected and want to be elected representation on this matter – well – what more can we expect than what we have already got. The elected rep a no show – and each and every candidate – a mouth shut.
The vote was correct in this one. Surprisingly.
Now, again, let me state, I am the contractor. My vested interest in any project comes in actual bricks and mortar. My company does not deal with permit issues – or development issues – just the actual construction.
I have seen time and time again where a developer wants to build something, but the land where he wants to build it is not zoned properly. Knowing that most communities will not welcome what that developer has in mind, the developer works with the property owner behind the scenes and gets the property owner to get the property properly zoned – then sells it – to the developer - at a huge discount over what the developer would pay to get it rezoned for his intended use. Also, the property owner – in addition to the increased price he can now get from the developer for the sale of the property – is also generally paid a “fee” for doing the dirty work.
This is how McDonalds gets built – or Burger King – or KFC. We have built “fast food” restaurants in less than 30 days – from breaking ground to serving the first burger.
Now – I know you can’t do things that fast here in Hawaii, but one must ask – other than this zoning SOLELY generating a higher sale price for the current owner – who has the land listed for sale – how could something “unknown” generate something good for this community?
When you consider the numerous outcomes that would be a disaster to this entire community versus the good that could come.
How about the NEW owner get special tax breaks if the proposed zoning change results in something good for this community, instead of giving a sight unseen potential new owner to decide that a McDonalds in the middle of Pahoa would be better?
Bottom line here – this zoning change if it had been allowed – would only benefit an absentee landowner in the increased price someone would pay for the land.
Call it anti business if you will – I know it seems like that what it is. But let me tell you – in the real business world – this type of rezoning measure is how a lot of big box retail gets built – on the mainland – yes I know – but what would make this place any different?
As for what is anti-business here in Hawaii – well for my Company – it’s called General Excise Tax.
Number 1 reason why my company does not do work here – but is why I live here.
I also think the personality disorders displayed here have a lot more to do with those against the owners of the surf shop next door than that of the actual owners of the surf shop.
As for our elected and want to be elected representation on this matter – well – what more can we expect than what we have already got. The elected rep a no show – and each and every candidate – a mouth shut.
The vote was correct in this one. Surprisingly.