James Weatherford: Bill 209 Yes? or No?

[Rene Siracusa]

At the present there is a committee working on a Pahoa Plan. I understand that they have had over 600 respondents to their survey so far. There is also a design plan committee. It would be nice if there were a moratorium on new changes of zone until these two community initiatives are completed and carved in stone.

Each zoning designation has a whole list of uses that are allowable, and some of them might really not be appropriate for certain areas. A Pahoa plan, if enacted, could eliminate some of these. These are not detailed uses, such as MacDonald's/fast food restaurants, but broader uses - restaurant. At present, for example, an allowable use in CV are crematoria and funeral homes. I doubt that anyone would want to see a crematorium on Pahoa Village Rd., which cannot handle the traffic generated by a good sized funeral.

However, absent a temporary moratorium pending the enactment of these plans, change of zone is legal. Opposing a legal activity like change of zone could be seen as discriminatory.

[Kapohocat]

quote:

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Originally posted by Rene Siracusa

At the present there is a committee working on a Pahoa Plan. I understand that they have had over 600 respondents to their survey so far. There is also a design plan committee. It would be nice if there were a moratorium on new changes of zone until these two community initiatives are completed and carved in stone.

Each zoning designation has a whole list of uses that are allowable, and some of them might really not be appropriate for certain areas. A Pahoa plan, if enacted, could eliminate some of these. These are not detailed uses, such as MacDonald's/fast food restaurants, but broader uses - restaurant. At present, for example, an allowable use in CV are crematoria and funeral homes. I doubt that anyone would want to see a crematorium on Pahoa Village Rd., which cannot handle the traffic generated by a good sized funeral.

However, absent a temporary moratorium pending the enactment of these plans, change of zone is legal. Opposing a legal activity like change of zone could be seen as discriminatory.

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Some good points Rene. The only thing I see is the moratorium continuing on indefinitely. A definate end date would need to be set.

For quite awhile in an area I work a lot with, there was a moratorium. It did not appear to be lifted until a couple of property owners threatened law suits. I dont necessarily agree with the way the outcome was set by the Planning Commission at the time, but it is what it is now. (Yes, Rene, you were on the commission then but just one of the too few rational voices. )

[Rene Siracusa]

@ Kapohocat

You are right about a drop dead date for a moratorium. I mentioned that it should only last until the Pahoa Plan is finalized and in place. In a discussion I had yesterday with Larry Brown of Planning Dept., he informed me that he was drafting something which would make the moratorium end either upon finalization or 6/30/13, whichever comes first. He said that the Planning Director does not oppose this and there is, of course, precedent. As I understand it, the Pahoa Plan Steering Committee will submit this reso to Fred Blas and ask him to introduce it. If he does so, feel free to testify in support.
A clear list of allowable uses for Pahoa Village Rd. would not only protect the community from unsightly and/or inappropriate development, but would also help developers by letting them know prior to making substantial investments in time/money/energy, where and what they can develop with community support. Hopefully a win win.

[Rob Tucker]

I was not aware that a zoning moratorium was in effect. How and when did that occur?

[opihikao]

FYI: As of Tuesday's unanimous NO vote, this bill is dead.

[Rob Tucker]

I expect it will come up again, Either in that location or another. I will be interested to see if Tiffany is only interested in opposing new commercial zoning next door to her store or anywhere in Pahoa.

[Kapohocat]

So this brings up across the street from the post office. I havent seen a rezoning app on it at Planning - maybe its in - but that is residential zoned as far as I can tell, and it looks like a lot of commercial-type grading going on.

[Rob Tucker]

Yeah, lots of people interested. No one seems to know. Most likely they are just doing some obvious property improvements.

[Rene Siracusa]

@Rob - sorry if I did not make myself clear. A moratorium is not in effect YET. The Planning Dept. is working up something to present to the county council, and it would have a drop dead date as mentioned above, so it would not go on indefinitely.

[riverwolf]

Re: across from the post office....
from what I understand its two parcels one commercial and one residential. However the grading seems strange if that's the case.
Perhaps its just a training exercise..."D-9 operators in training".
enjoy.

riverwolf