REP PCPLUED 010 2025-05-04 2024-2026

Home

PCPLUED-10 Page 5 May 6, 2026 Bill No. 66, Draft 2, was postponed to the next Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development meeting on March 10, 2026. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of March 10, 2026. Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow, Assistant Corporation Counsel J. Yoshimoto, and Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell were present in the Hilo Chambers. Chair Kierkiewicz introduced an amendment via Communication 372.192, which intends to preserve the core concepts of the Draft 2045 General Plan while simplifying language to improve clarity, public understanding, implementation feasibility, and accountability. Mr. Darrow opined that the amendment constituted a rewrite of the draft plan and outlined procedural options for advancing the proposal, including referral back to the Planning Department and both Planning Commissions for additional review and public meetings. Additional discussion took place in Executive Session. Ms. Kierkiewicz withdrew her amendment via Communication 372.192, pending further research Bill No. 66, Draft 2, was postponed to April 7, 2026. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of April 7, 2026. Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen and Long -Range Planning Program Manager Bethany Morrison were present in Hilo Chambers. Discussions focused on the process for forwarding the contents of Communication 372.192, which was introduced by Ms. Kierkiewicz at the previous meeting, to the Planning Director and the Planning Commissions, and the procedural framework governing amendments to the General Plan. Ms. Schoen stated that the County Charter serves as the County's overarching legal authority and supersedes ordinances and Code in the event of a conflict. She noted that the current 2005 General Plan includes an amendment procedure that could serve as a reference point, but that the legislative authority granted to the Council through the Charter prevails over conflicting provisions in Code or ordinance. Ms. Schoen further stated that it is the Committee's responsibility to determine whether proposed changes constitute substantive amendments requiring referral to the Planning Department and Planning Commissions. Ms. Kagiwada reiterated concerns about insufficient representation from the Hilo District in the broader plan development and amendment process because of the absence of a Hilo CDP. Ms. Galimba and Ms. Kimball expressed a preference for advancing and amending a single General Plan draft rather than advancing multiple versions simultaneously. Mr. Inaba concluded the discussion by acknowledging Chair Kierkiewicz's efforts to streamline the General Plan, improving clarity and efficiency in the document's structure. Bill No. 66, Draft 2, was postponed to May 4, 2026. PCPLUED Report No. 10