COM 0762.017 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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JOEL E. GIMPEL 73.4686 Hine Lani Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Testimony Regarding Bill 246 Before the Hawaii County Planning Committee April 18, 2006 1 would like to provide my personal comments regarding one other matter on your agenda this afternoon, Bill 246. This bill, which is described in your agenda as amending "certain time and street requirements" and making "minor 'housekesping'changes" to the Subdivision Code, in farI makes major, not minor, changes. Significantly, it appears to grant the Planning Director complete discretion to approve a subdivision application that lacks information needed for public analysis and comment, such as the subdivision's location, approximate layout, acreage, number of lots, highway access, water course location, existing and proposed easements, deed restrictions, water system, and provisions for sewage disposal, drainage and flood control. To suggest that this information need not be submitted, and that the director has sole discretion to deride what information is needed, goes too far and disempowers the community. And although the current Planning Director may well recognize the public's need to know the detailed information required for informed analysis, we cannot know how future Planning Directors, who are appointed, not elected, will exercise the unfettered discretion granted by this bill. Furthermore, there appears no urgent need to amend the Subdivision Code at this time. Accordingly, I recommend you reject Bill 246 as drafted If, however, you believe that some amendment to the Subdivision Code is required, I urge that you amend Bill 246 to carefully delineate and limit the Director's exercise of discretion by specifying that the above-mentioned information be required in new subdivision applications for consideration by the Department. Mahalo for your attention. I'll be pleased to answer your questions. Comm. No. (OX Ref. To: ff Ref. Date