SB2274-Sustainable Living

[kjlpahoa]

I am very surprised that nobody has been commenting on this Bill. It is becoming very controversial especially since the latest newspaper article. It appears that it could have some negative impacts on some existing subdivisions. Any comments or opinions on this subject?

[kalakoa]

I don't believe "sustainability" should be codified as a "Special Use".

[rainyjim]

“The Department of Agriculture supports efforts to increase food production and promote agricultural education,” said Agriculture Department Chairman Scott Enright in testimony to the committee. “However, we feel that agricultural production should be the primary activity on agricultural lands.” - See more at: http://m.westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-...kgkGA.dpuf

- am I missing something? Wouldn't the main focus of these "sites" be food production?

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"The state Office of Planning had similar concerns in its testimony. Planning officials said there are already mechanisms in place for just such experiments. Officials also worried that allowing more such experimental living sites could further dissuade farmers from working and investing in their farms because of fear of ensuing development. - See more at: http://m.westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-...kgkGA.dpuf"

Can anyone explain the "worried...dissuading farmers from working and investing...because of fear of ensuing development" ?

Once again - am I missing something? What does this even mean? Is it a misquote? An incomplete thought/sentence? I don't even get what it is they are trying to say.

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I understand the county opposition - due to loss of power/control. But I don't understand (nor actually see any) opposition from anyone else - exception being anti-ruderman people who want to attack ruderman and don't actually care about the bill one way or the other.

[kalakoa]

They're trying to convince everyone that "sustainability research" is actually thinly-veiled "eco-tourism" which will not contribute to food production -- which would almost be reasonable if there were a huge shortage of agricultural land, such that these "research sites" would displace actual farming.

As usual, whenever "sustainability" and/or "agriculture" are mentioned, it's all talk, they have no intention of allowing any self-sufficiency because it's a clear threat to their power/authority regime.

What's next, people making their own electricity without permits, licenses, inspections, fees, and taxes? How can that possibly be good for "the community"?

[kjlpahoa]

quote:

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Originally posted by rainyjim


- am I missing something? Wouldn't the main focus of these "sites" be food production?


I understand the county opposition - due to loss of power/control. But I don't understand (nor actually see any) opposition from anyone else - exception being anti-ruderman people who want to attack ruderman and don't actually care about the bill one way or the other.
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What you are missing is full knowledge of the contents of the Bill. There is a lot of opposition developing as people become more knowledgeable of the Bill. They are not anti Ruderman but very concerned residents who do not want all the different types of occupancies and uses the Bill will allow.

I think most people do not really understand the contents of SB2274. It is 17 pages of disjointed convoluted language. Here is the link to it and I encourage everyone to read it.


http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session201...B2274_.HTM


Section 3 covers what uses and occupancies that can be considered in a “Sustainable Living Research Site”. To try and summarize, the following would be allowed in the research site. How many people would like to have some of these as your neighbor?

Geothermal resources exploration and geothermal resources development
Cultivation of crops, crops for bioenergy, orchards, forage and forestry
Animal husbandry and game and fish propagation
Aquaculture
Wind generation – public, private, and commercial use
Biofuel production
Solar energy facilities
Bona fide agricultural services and uses that support the agricultural activities
Wind machines and wind farms
Small-scale meteorological, air quality, noise, and other scientific and environmental data collection
Agricultural parks Agricultural tourism
Agricultural tourism activities including overnight accommodations
Open area recreational facilities
Agricultural-based commercial operations
Retail activities in an enclosed structure
Retail food establishments
Farm dwellings, employee housing, farm buildings
Public institutions
Public & private open area types of recreational uses (day camps, picnic grounds, parks & riding stables)
Buildings and uses including mills, storage and processing facilities, maintenance facilities
Plantation community subdivisions
Construction and operation of wireless communication antennas
Agricultural education programs

As you can see, under this Bill, a huge amount of different uses will be permitted, many of which are not compatible with a neighboring residential community. Do residents of Seaview, Puna Palisades, Leilani Estates, Nanawale Estates, etc. want these in their backyards?

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[rainyjim]

I read the Bill, (all 3 versions) and the testimony submitted before commenting. Thanks though.

I am curious about who is upset - you keep alluding to a possibly (large) group of people.

I don't see a problem with progress towards sustainability.

Poor neighbors exist; see roosters, sex offenders, huge semi truck fleets parked on property lines. This legislation won't change that - nor do I believe it would supercede for instance leilanis strict ccrs.

I am failing to conceive a problem (only benefits) perhaps you could illustrate the issue as it appears to you - in your own words.

[kalakoa]

quote:

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As you can see, under this Bill, a huge amount of different uses will be permitted, many of which are not compatible with a neighboring residential community. Do residents of Seaview, Puna Palisades, Leilani Estates, Nanawale Estates, etc. want these in their backyards?

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It's very telling that the above-mentioned subdivisions tend towards high-density "residential-style", many of which have existing CC&Rs that would already prohibit these "new" activities. Repeat after me: agricultural subdivisions are not "residential".

That said ... almost all of the "new" uses defined by the Bill are already allowed on ag-zoned land, and those that aren't can already be permitted through SUP.

[peteadams]

There seems so much to criticize, or scratch your head over, in this bill. Much of it seems to be circumventing any or all building standards and allowing for smaller subdivisions in agricultural zoning. Hard to know where to start. I was wondering what in the world they mean by "sustainable" since that term is largely used to imply reducing dependence on fossil fuel. So I looked at the Definitions section, found seven items and added some comments:

"Sustainable living" means a live-in environment composed of structures and systems that inherently produce utilities and life-support systems that conserve resources and may include:

(1) The provision of on-site energy needs via renewable resources;

Like geothermal? Or do they mean solar panels from China? Or maybe burning more strawberry guava?

(2) The provision of water needs while minimizing the withdrawals from ground water and surface water systems in accordance with county and state water law and the rules and policies of the county and state engineers;

We are so short of water here in Puna, we need new laws for sure. And if there’s limited rainfall and you can’t use groundwater, you do what?

(3) The provision of sewage treatment needs with minimal discharge;

Composting toilets are already approved by the county so this law is adding…what? Pit trenches? Not much discharge from them.

(4) The reuse of materials discarded by modern society;

The new Austerity policy: living on discards, what every family shared living unit wants!

(5) The development of organic foods;

Limited to those with the money or leisure time to buy or cultivate it, of course.

(6) The development of renewable fuel; and

Rather repetitious. Like geothermal? Or solar panels from China? Or maybe burning more strawberry guava?

(7) The development and testing of shared living situations.

Communes are so 70’s. Now we have CCR’s. Anyway, what government entity is saying you can't share living situations? What is the bill adding? Support for condos in ag zoning?

[Russell]

kjlpahoa, It might be helpful for you to understand how these types of bills are written. The underlined words are to be added, and the striked ( crossed out) words are to be deleted. For example, 'geothermal' was already one of the uses of ag land, and I would never have put such a thing in there! Few of the items you list are changes made by my bill.
Rainyjim, thank you for hitting the nail on the head! That is, we are hearing from the usual 3 or 4 "anti-ruderman people who want to attack ruderman and don't actually care about the bill one way or the other."
pahoated, I realize I can never do anything correct in your worldview, but when you say "because his buddy that gets a big payoff is on Maui" I really have no idea WTF you're talking about. If you want to know why only Big Island and Maui are included, perhaps you should ask before throwing your mud around.
If anyone has a legitimate question about the bill I will try to answer them.

Russell

[kalakoa]

quote:

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If anyone has a legitimate question about the bill I will try to answer them.

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If the bill leverages the existing "Special Use" process, there is effectively no end-run around County authority, which suggests that the existing SUP process will keep these uses from "suddenly moving in next door" (if they are allowed to happen at all).

County's posture seems to be "we encourage people to follow the process, but we're not really going to approve anything". How does this promote sustainability?

Opinion: upon reading the bill, my first thought was "Hmm -- this could be used to create a sustainability model as an art installation for the tourists to visit, probably in the side yard of an art gallery in Volcano." It's really not much help otherwise.