01-24-2008, 10:15 AM
quote:
Originally posted by bodysurf
If the government is responsible for zoning land from say ag to residential...or especially in lava zones 1 or 2 allowing residential development ....does it mean the government also HAS TO supply home insurance so people can build there so easily?
No. Zoning is the County's way of establishing development standards. It does not mean we throw common sense out the window or expect government to fill in the gaps in our judgment. We all have free will. To build or not to build. Slab or post & pier. Below our financial capabilities or above our financial capabilities. Likewise we should all be exercising similar decision making processes on safety, security, and longevity. Those are our decisions, not government. Just because zonings says something can be built doesn’t mean we should automatically build. Avalanches are a fact of life in Colorado, building against a steep slope you take on that risk. Earthquakes are a fact of life in California, building on a fault you take on risk. Hawaii is an active volcano, the threat of lave inundation isn't being hidden, covered up, downplayed, or being brushed aside, so we take on that risk. Truth is, government didn't force us to buy and build in an active lava zone, they just said you can if YOU want too.
To my point,
I read that a developer was going to be seeking a zoning change (in Kona) from agricultural to one that favors denser single family residential. That's the type of growth control fully within the hands of our elected officials. The land is now agricultural which does not permit the type of residential density the developer wants. They have to ask for the change, but are not automatically entitled to it. Hawaii County elected officials can say no. If the concern is growth control, the county has the ability to slow that growth by not authorizing the zoning change.
Just like if a developer comes to the county and wants to rezone land to permit a resort, the elected officials can control tourism growth by denying the rezoning request. Nothing anywhere says they must grant the request. If government wants to see growth controls, limit the number of changes that gives developers the ability to cause growth.
Government holds the key to growth control. They have the tools. Will you demand they use it responsibly?