03-07-2017, 06:29 AM
HOTPE, thanks for your comment. However, the situation with respect to the County is quite the opposite (and a demonstration of unintended consequences): their position is that, since the area has been subdivided, they are legally required to issue building permits consistent with the current zoning. If they deny a building permit, they become liable for that denial. The decisions made 40 or more years ago have tied their hands insofar as whether they can prevent building in an area that we now know is a bad idea to build.
As a side note on this, during Harry Kim's prior stint as Mayor, I approached his administration with these concerns and a method to reduce the density of residential development in Lower Puna - at little to no cost to the County - and was completely blown off. They simply refused to engage with the problem.
Unfortunately, this situation will only get worse until disaster strikes and a lot of people are displaced and bankrupted. Anything that is done to reduce the attractiveness of residential development on these at-risk lands, I have to see as a good thing.
As a side note on this, during Harry Kim's prior stint as Mayor, I approached his administration with these concerns and a method to reduce the density of residential development in Lower Puna - at little to no cost to the County - and was completely blown off. They simply refused to engage with the problem.
Unfortunately, this situation will only get worse until disaster strikes and a lot of people are displaced and bankrupted. Anything that is done to reduce the attractiveness of residential development on these at-risk lands, I have to see as a good thing.