Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE POLICY <br />COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, <br />LAND USE, AND DEVELOPMENT <br />DATE: May 20, 2025 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 10:59 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 110/Bill No. 24 <br />Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, to which was referred Bill <br />No. 24, reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 24, transmitted by Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., via Communication <br />No. 110, dated January 2, 2025, amends Chapter 25, Articles 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7, of the Hawaii <br />County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to telecommunication antennas and <br />towers. <br />The bill, by request of the Planning Department, seeks to remove the requirement for a use <br />permit to establish telecommunication antennas and towers in certain zoning districts, add <br />application requirements, and amend standards for the establishment of telecommunication and <br />towers. <br />On January 2, 2024, Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., via Communication No. 110, <br />forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Council from the Windward Planning Commission <br />as recommended by the Planning Director; and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the <br />Council from the Leeward Commission as recommended by the Planning Director. Both <br />Commissions provided a newly revised bill, respectively, as Exhibit 2B in the record to address <br />legislative format drafting errors and spelling, grammar and formatting errors. <br />Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of February 4, 2025. <br />Planning Director Jeff Darrow and Planner V Tracie-Lee Camero were present in the Hilo <br />Chambers to present the purpose of the bill, which was to be in compliance with State law, and <br />respond to questions. <br />Committee Member Heather Kimball recommended separating definitions of telecommunication <br />towers and antennas, and suggested exploring notification procedures for plan approvals. <br />Committee Member Michelle Galimba expressed interest in incorporating language from <br />Bill 194 (2022-2024) into the current bill. Mr. Darrow addressed confusion on the floor <br />surrounding the simultaneous introduction of both Bill 24 and Bill 194, explaining that while <br />there was collaboration, differences in direction between the introducer and the department led to <br />two separate measures, with the expectation that they would eventually be consolidated. <br />PCPLUED Report No. 4 <br />