Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE POLICY <br />COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, <br />LAND USE, AND DEVELOPMENT <br />DATE: January 23, 2024 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 1:17 p.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 678/ Bill 124 <br />Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, to which was referred Bill <br />No. 124, reports as follows: <br />Bill 124, transmitted by Committee Member I -leather Kimball via Communication No. 678, dated <br />December 27, 2023, amends Chapter 5B, Article 2, Section 5B -2-1(D), of the Hawaii County Code <br />1983 (2016 Edition, as Amended), Relating to Wind Design Criteria for Residential Buildings. <br />This bill would establish provisions specific to single -story, slab -on -grade residential buildings. <br />At 7:40 p.m., Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz recessed the meeting. The meeting reconvened <br />on January 24, 2024, at 2:31 p.m. At this time, they began discussion regarding Bill 124. <br />Committee Member Heather Kimball stated the piece of legislation is at the request of the <br />administration, the Mayor specifically. <br />Public Works Director Stephen Pause presented an overview and responded to questions from the <br />Kona Chambers. Mayor Mitchell Roth was present in the Hilo Chambers and conveyed his support, <br />noting the potential for improvements and cost savings in the building permitting process. <br />Ms. Kimball shared that the bill modifies a section of the County's Residential Building Code to <br />match the International Building Code standards for wind speeds. The bill proposes to remove <br />structural engineering requirements for building projects in certain areas of the island that are <br />within a projected wind speed of 140 Vni,. Mr. Pause presented a map to identify what areas of <br />Hawaii Island would benefit from this proposed change and assured Committee Members that <br />removing this requirement would not compromise public safety. <br />Committee Member Sue Lee Loy expressed her support for the measure and asked for clarity on <br />structural engineering costs. She asked if areas identified were overlaid on a GIS map to determine if <br />any parts of communities were completely in or partially out of these areas. <br />Ms. Kimball disclosed that her husband, an architect, does not confer any direct benefits from this <br />bill as he works on commercial projects and this bill would impact dwelling units. <br />PCPLUD Report No.: 7 <br />