REP PC 010 02/15/2005 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: February 15, 2005 Re: Comm. No. 70 /Bill No. 23 PLACE: Council Chambers TIME: 130 p.m. Council Chair Safarik and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 23 reports as follows: Bill No. 23, transmitted by Councilmember Bob Jacobson, via Communication No. 70, dated January 10, 2005, amends Chapter 14, Hawaii County Code 1983 (1995 Edition), by adding a new article to provide enhanced public notice of proposed development. The purpose of Bill No. 23 is to enhance public participation in government decision making. Enhanced public participation can lead to better decision making. It can also better ensure that customary and traditional practices are protected. Six individuals submitted testimony on Bill 23. All were in support of passage of the bill. Bill No. 23 would require developers to post signs on the property proposed for development. Your Committee heard the Planning Director explain that currently some land use approvals do not require any public notification at all. Other land use approvals may require a legal notice in the newspaper and mailing notice to neighboring landowners. Often, members of the public complain about a development after it has been approved. Bill 23 ensures broader public notification of proposed development prior to approval. The Hawaii County Charter requires Planning Commission review of amendments to the planning and subdivision ordinances. Section 25-2-43(b) spells out a procedure for amending the zoning code. While it is debatable whether Bill No. 23 actually amends these codes, Your Committee voted to forward Bill No. 23 to the Planning Commission for review in order to obtain the commission's recommendation prior to first reading of the bill by the Council. Your Committee also voted to amend Bill No. 23 by replacing it with Draft 2. Committee members concerns with the bill included: ensuring that the signs are weatherproof; questioning whether it would be better to have one provision in Chapter 14, or whether to amend the zoning, subdivision and grading ordinances individually; and whether to make the signs themselves uniform and attractive.