11-21-2009, 12:26 PM
quote:If you read the zoning codes, buried within it is a little known fact that all zoning types (with the exception of Conservation) allows resort development. Technically, you can put a resort right smack in the middle of residential or agricultural zoned land. The only thing holding it back is the cumbersome and expensive process of getting a special use permit for the project. Additionally, the way the code is written, these projects must integrate with the community, not harm the community.
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
I would be very curious to know how Mayor Kenoi intends to increase tourism. Was some idea or proposal mentioned and I missed it? He did take a west coast tour for that purpose. I am unaware of any innovative ideas being brought forth.
But, over the years, the people have been manipulated into allowing projects that should not have been approved, to be approved because of the skill of the developers/project marketers to make people see value in a project and ignore the negative. So, all government has to do is streamline the special use permit process, and devalue community input in that process. By doing this, developers of resorts and entertainment venues are no longer held back because of concerns about community opposition. The people will have less information available initially and their opposition can now be weight against the financial gains. Remember, the Council and Planning can take into consideration the positive financial value of a project over the negative impact of individual citizens. The time is now ripe for manipulating the code to move economic impact from a low consideration, to a high consideration.
You tell me where the current leadership will go with this.