Land use and zoning reform in Puna

[james weatherford]

This is to bring focus to identifying the problems with current County policy on land use and zoning in Puna.
In particular,
What are the problems with current County policy on land use and zoning in Puna?
What are the solutions to these problems?

James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[DanielP]

James,

Moving from the SPACE thread...

To begin the discussion, does anyone know how many parcels of land currently exist in Puna? What the population is?

Dan

[Rob Tucker]

Interesting questions.

The number of parcels would be a finite number ranging in size. There was a number determined for population at the 2000 census but that is ten years ago and there's been substantial growth. Since 2000 there have only been projected population figures. This years census is actually quite important.

[DanielP]

After reviewing Bob's link to the General Plan Maps (SPACE topic), I think that some sharper tipped crayons are needed.

The broad brushed attempt to create a GP map might have been my High School project.

Painting over hundreds of acres and classifying it "orchards" is pretty sophomoric. The proposed changes were a bit helpful, now many are to be Rural. Wow, there is a big change.

Every parcel of land will probably have at least 3 residents with needs beyond that of a tree. The Ag designation is a cop-out, as is the Rural designation. This is not planning. It's grazing at the trough.

Clearly the roadways need to be mapped out first, using "build-out" scenarios for the criteria.

This ain't gonna be cheap, but it is how things need to be done for long-term efficiency.

Dan

[Rob Tucker]

Daniel,

If you are trying to gauge projected population in the Puna District at build out the figure is in the 200,000 to 250,000 range. That is if we do not allow any more residential subdivision creation. On average Puna is about at 20% build out now. So for every car you see on the road now - picture four more.

There is no mechanism available to "roll back the clock" and uncreate the tens of thousands of AG1 lots. On the PCDP work we had to assume that every individual property owner had the right to build and someday would.

A hidden mystery is that there are thousands of acres mostly in large parcels, not yet subdivided, which are zoned AG1.

[DanielP]

Rob,

Yes, that is exactly my point. That 200-250,000 population is what needs to be figured on. What is projected for 50-100 years from now. THAT IS PLANNING. Not that BS General Plan map that exists. That is why I call the County gov't lazy and short-sighted.

The County should start creating a serious traffic circulation plan and start to create easements while the build-out is only 20%, not wait until it gets easier*. It will NEVER get easier than it is now.

In my armchair quarterback view of the map of Puna, I see a need for 3 primary traffic arteries parallel with hwy. 11 and 3 parallel with hwy. 130, to really handle the future needs.

After the traffic circulation plan is figured out, then zoning and other infrastructure can be addressed.

I think that all of the community input is nice, but only serves to placate the citizenry. This should be addressed by PROFESSIONALS.

If the County is going to continue on it's current course of broad-brush zoning with SUPs, then the problems that exist with SPACE will continue and worsen.

From the armchair, Dan

[missydog1]

Hope, the # means minimum acres per parcel. 20 acre parcel of ag1 could be subdivided into 20 lots theoretically. If it were Ag 10 then only into two.

[Obie]

Can't all of the problems with zoning and planning be remedied with the rules that are in place ?

If an area is lacking in services can't the zoning be changed by going through the processes that are in place ?

There are plenty of commercial enterprises along 130 and close to Pahoa that are on AG land that are operating under a SUP.

Others like Malama and Woodland were rezoned.

I see that in Pahoa the site of the Future Cash and Carry is being rezoned to an office complex.Isn't this how it is supposed to work ?

I don't see where we need to throw out the existing zoning and start over.
I would like to see better enforcement of existing rules.

[JWFITZ]

The problem with planning is that you have to plan for the future, and unless you want to understand the future, you can't plan for it. If you're not willing to take the responsibility of defining the future, please don't plan for it.

Meanwhile:

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/breaking/83570207.html

Which is what Countrywide had 2 days before it blew up.

http://sensiblesimplicity.lefora.com/

[Rob Tucker]

Daniel, You are just scratching the surface.

Now you see why we describe the professionally prepared plan for Puna as "Drive To Hilo". There has been no plan for Puna except to tax it.

The history here is not one of professional thoughtful planning but one of catering to special interests. Most often the large landowners. This catering I mention is still taking place as I type this post. The basis for that lack of planning was that they never expected people to actually move here. They just wanted to make some quick money and not be hassled with responsibility. If mainlanders bought the land and never moved to such substandard tracts then they would just pay taxes without needing services.

The Puna Community Development Plan, imperfect as it may be, is the closest thing that has ever occurred here for long term planning. The population projections are simple and factual - there are currently x number of empty lots that will one day be occupied by x*3 people on average.

Things that many of us are fighting for that will take fifteen years to do should have been done 20 years ago.