Rail development proposal fails to give public a voice

By David Shapiro

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Apr 11, 2012

~~<p>A bill moving through the Legislature to give developers virtual carte blanche around future rail stations has the mark of other major decisions on the $5.27 billion Oahu rail project: an unnecessary rush to action that cuts the public out of the conversation.</p>
<p>Senate Bill 2927, introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, would exempt development around rail and bus centers from city zoning processes, bypass environmental reviews, ease height and density limits, waive state development fees to fund public amenities for the projects, limit avenues for public objection and reduce protections for conservation and agricultural lands, open shoreline, recreational areas and historic sites.</p>
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A bill moving through the Legislature to give developers virtual carte blanche around future rail stations has the mark of other major decisions on the $5.27 billion Oahu rail project: an unnecessary rush to action that cuts the public out of the conversation.

Senate Bill 2927, introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, would exempt development around rail and bus centers from city zoning processes, bypass environmental reviews, ease height and density limits, waive state development fees to fund public amenities for the projects, limit avenues for public objection and reduce protections for conservation and agricultural lands, open shoreline, recreational areas and historic sites. Login for more...