Posts: 8,621
Threads: 1,044
Joined: May 2003
I have lived in a nice New England town that hasn't had it's population change much in 250 years. Life is very good there. I have always questioned the need for growth.
The issue for Puna is that there are tens of thousands of empty lots that are filling up. Each and every property owner has the same right to build and occupy as you do. Growth here is inevitable.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 3
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2013
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
The issue for Puna is that there are tens of thousands of empty lots that are filling up. Each and every property owner has the same right to build and occupy as you do. Growth here is inevitable.
Thats true. Unfortunately, when the lands here were subdivided so densely many decades ago, nobody had the foresight to see where it would lead. So what now?
One idea I had been thinking about for a while - Encourage existing residents to purchase adjacent vacant lots. The county or state could come up with many kinds of incentive programs to make it feasible for people to afford this. For example:
1. Give property tax breaks on the adjacent lots if they are kept by the same owner, or consolidated into larger lots.
2. Provide low/zero interest, low/no downpayment, easy to qualify, government guaranteed vacant land loans to residents with adjacent vacant lots.
Of course, not all vacant lots could be purchased, and some growth would still occur, but I think this would dramatically slow the growth rate and preserve the open space and quality of life. This will cost the county or state money, but it may not cost as much as putting in the massive infrastructure developments that would otherwise eventually be required if all these tens of thousands of empty lots were fully developed.
Just an idea.
Posts: 8,621
Threads: 1,044
Joined: May 2003
Its not a bad idea. There is a institutional indifference to Puna on a county and state level. I am sure you noticed. There would have to be an awful lot of lot consolidation to have real impact.
At the moment rather centrist projections of our population at build out is above 200,000 souls. Puna has also be the fastest growing district in the state.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 14,339
Threads: 426
Joined: Aug 2012
Growth is happening anyway, it just requires a drive to Hilo, which won't be a very good plan when all the cheap gas is gone. Development in Puna is fairly well-controlled by the lack of infrastructure and the planning/permitting "delays". It's really a wonderful place to live once you get used to all the extra driving, especially now that Amazon Prime is available.
Posts: 631
Threads: 53
Joined: Oct 2006
There is a big difference between a wastewater treatment plant and growth in Pahoa, and already-permitted subdivisions filling up. The PCDP designated Pahoa as an appropriate area for a Village Center, so that growth could be concentrated in one convenient area instead of all over the landscape. Pahoa businesses are required by law to hook up to a septic or sewer system, but they are all on cesspools (no longer grandfathered)and technically the EPA can shut them all down and turn Pahoa into a ghost town. There is no room for these Pahoa businesses to put a septic system without tearing down buildings or infringing on another parcel. Then we will all have to drive into Hilo for EVERYTHING. The planned dialysis clinic withdrew its special permit application because the DOH required that they hook up to a nonexisting sewer system. So diabetics have to continue to drive into Hilo 3 days a week. Is a dialysis clinic the type of growth you want to avoid? I think we have to distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' growth. 'Good' growth will provide the needed services and infrastructure that Puna has been deprived of for so long. Our population in Puna has grown 24% since the previous (2000) census, and that means a lot more human waste is leaching from cesspools into the ground water. If we can prevent that with a wastewater treatment system in Pahoa, shouldn't we?
Posts: 14,339
Threads: 426
Joined: Aug 2012
Generally agree that "good" growth means "not driving to Hilo for everything".
Whether Pahoa constitutes "one convenient area" for growth depends on how close you are to Pahoa; for me, Hilo is the same distance, and has more to offer, including a 4-lane highway to drive there with. This means Pahoa's growth is not as "good" for me as it would be for those on the Red Road.
I didn't realize that I'd moved into a "no-growth" section of Puna, nor did I understand the rabid opposition to development, but it is what it is, now I'll adjust, unfortunately this means less "participation" in the local economy, because it cannot grow to offer some of the things I require. I will just have to learn to want different things.
Posts: 1,955
Threads: 100
Joined: Aug 2005
Saw this in a P&Z newsletter today
One is reminded of the three fundamental rules of planning: Let's make a park out of the other fellow's lot. Let's tighten up the building restrictions — after I've finished my building. Let's raise the gangplank — now that I've landed.See Stop H-3 Ass'n v. Lewis, 538 F. Supp. 149 (D. Hawaii 1982). Timeless wit.
Posts: 14,339
Threads: 426
Joined: Aug 2012
This situation isn't permanent, but it's a de facto "no growth" plan:
Development "along the highway" would be sufficiently low-density to make septic possible, but "low-density sprawl" is "bad growth".
Enact a "good growth" plan which requires development to happen in a "conveniently centralized" place, which must then have a sewer system because the density is so high, so everything is on hold until the expensive infrastructure is built (someday).
All existing businesses are conveniently grandfathered; any new construction or "change of use" tends to suffer extensive delays (when allowed at all).
I can't imagine that the sewerage issue is a "surprise", must be all kinds of fun stories about how it hasn't been solved over the years.
I was born in Waikiki, the reason I am moving to Puna is to get away from the city with it's loud tourists, traffic and skyscraper super resorts. There will always be people who have lots of wants and perceived needs and must have a huge store for each of these...what about the people who just want old Hawaii? The ocean, the fruit, nature, the quiet are all things that make Puna paradise. If you want the big stores and skyscrapers move yourself somewhere where that has them things.
Posts: 14,339
Threads: 426
Joined: Aug 2012
quote:
Originally posted by Sun
If you want the big stores and skyscrapers move yourself somewhere where that has them things.
Also if you want a job, or paved roads, or piped water....
|
