A million-dollar bathroom still stinks
There has been much written about affordable housing. But what about affordable public bathrooms?
TGI reported on July 9 that Kauai county is working on a proposal for a new comfort station to replace the Blackpot park bathrooms destroyed in the April flood. The new comfort station is estimated to cost one million dollars!
Let’s not kid ourselves, a comfort station is a bathroom. Even if the bathroom was to be as large as 400 square feet the cost works out to be around $2,500 per square foot, $2500/sq ft . That hardly seems affordable.
Could it be this expensive because, according to the article, the federal government (FEMA) and insurance are expected to pay for it?
Peter Nilsen, Princeville
Respect private property rights
Again, Gary Hooser bats from the left side of the plate, while I bat right-handed.
Gary’s recent article on the Lihue density increase proposal by the County Council suggests this attempt to alleviate the high cost of housing is a “give away.” Landowners stand to reap a windfall from the increased housing density allowance. That’s based on the assumption that granting a private property owner the right to use their property is a “gift,” when in fact, the act is actually giving back a “right” previously taken, without compensation.
Private property rights can be understood as the inherent right to own, use and convey private property. Many countries enjoy NONE of these rights. These are often termed our “bundle of rights.”
Each infringement on these rights limits our right to own, use, and convey our private property, which has been the foundation of our country’s prosperity. We’re motivated by the opportunity to own, use and convey our private property, our homes.
One of these rights is to use private property. Each limitation to this use is an erosion of our right. Zoning is one of those limitations imposed by our governments. The County of Kauai has enacted the Comprehensive Zoning Ordnance, and the State of Hawaii Land Use Commission defines limits of rural, urban, open and conservation uses.
So, when Gary mentions a “gift” and windfall of increased density, it really amounts to relieving the property owner of onerous limitations to that “bundle of rights,” previously imposed.
Gary’s approach of negotiating a give and take with our private property bundle of rights is what has created our current lack of affordable housing, and indeed the housing shortage we’re suffering from now.
More government is not the solution, it’s the problem.
Mike Curtis, Koloa
I absolutely agreed with Mike Curtis.
How many of you own a F250 Ford truck? Do you charge your neighbors $150 dollars to drive your truck when not in use? Some residents do. I see this a lot.
Mike Curtis; Your premise fails for several reasons. First, a “taking” of real property does not occur legally if one purchases or inherits real property that is already zoned (as all property is) for specific uses, ie ag, single family, commercial. A taking only happens when the government tries to change the zoning of property you already own. Secondly, there is no absolute right to use your property any way you want. If that were true, your neighbor may open an all hours nightclub or maybe a motocross track. Finally, Gary is correct. Most landowners would consider an increase in density a benefit, allowing more dense development and hence, more profit, which increases the value of the land. You may swing from the right, but you missed this pitch.
Amen, Mike!
RG DeSoto
While Mike kind of has a point, I might ask if he is for or against the dairy. There are a lot of folks in Poipu who don’t like the idea. I’m pretty sure my neighbors wouldn’t be happy if I were to put up a hotel.
The truth is that there are too many people on Kauai for the kind of life we yearn for. There are too many people in the Bay Area for the kind of life they yearn for. I could go on, but I assume you recognize by now that the fact that there are 9B people in the world at this moment, is just too many.
So, what is America doing about it? Apparently starving children in Yemen is but one of the options.
BRAH POPULATION STAY 7.5B
https://www.census.gov/popclock/world
Mr. Nilsen. Didn’t you know that the floor will be of marble stone, diamond edged windows, and it will be tacked together with gold nails, gold nuts & bolts.
Peter the million dollars covers less than you think. At the last County Council meeting it was brought up that it would be more if it weren’t for the fact that the septic system was not damaged and had a high capacity.
Only more reason not to elect a Mayor that has the endorsements of all the unions that build these buildings for such a ridiculous price and is in bed with big money businesses and corporations.
GO MOVE NIGERIA BRAH, DEY NO CAN MAKE UM PROPERTY LAWS. U STAY TRASH ALL DA LAND THEY NO BOTHA U