REP PC 100 07/18/2006 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: July 18, 2006 Re: Comm. No. 963Bi11308 PLACE: Hilo Council Room TIME: 1:30 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 963 and attached Bill 308, reports as follows: Bill No. 308, transmitted by Communication No. 963 from Council Member K. Angel Pilago, dated June 16, 2006, presents a Bill for an Ordinance to initiate a Charter amendment to Article VI, Chapter 4, Section 6-4.3, Hawaii County Charter (2000). The amendment relates to bifurcating the Planning Commission into an East Hawaii Planning Commission and a West Hawaii Planning Commission. The intent and purpose of Bill No. 308 is to afford the electorate of Hawaii county the opportunity to vote on this proposed amendment to divide the Planning Commission into east and west Planning Commissions to better address the unprecedented growth and development that has been occurring in West Hawaii. Attached to Communication No. 963 is a request to waive this matter from the Planning Committee to the full Council for immediate action dated June 16, 2006, submitted by Planning Chair K. Angel Pilago. Also attached to Communication No. 963 is a June 23, 2006 letter from Council Chair Higa to K. Angel Pilago, Chair, Planning Committee, advising Bill No. 308 will not be waived noting that an issue of this capacity should be discussed at committee level. At the July 18, 2006 Planning Committee meeting the Kona Council office received public testimony from the following persons in support of Bill No. 308: Jerry Schneyer, David Gazdner, Joel Gimpel, Janice Palma-Glennie, Una Greenaway, Shannon Rudolph and Brenda Ford. Planning Director Yuen stated that the Planning Commission may have comments of its own, however he hasn't had time to discuss this with the Commission. Director Yuen said he was not sure how a split in the Planning Commission would work since matters that come before the Commission have island-wide affects. He has given the proposal some thought and if two planning commissions are created, decisions should be made in unity. As to whether such a split in the Planning Commission would be legal, he said that is a matter for Corporation Counsel to decide. Director Yuen also noted that the proposed four representative districts that comprise the West Hawaii Planning Commission is not a functional number for voting purposes. Committee Chair Pilago stated he believes that adding three "at lazge" members to the West Hawaii Planning Commission and two "at large" members to the East Hawaii Planning Commission would address Director Yuen's concerns regarding a functional number of commission members. in response to Committee Chair Pilago's concern that there is not enough time to get this measure on the ballot, Council Chair Higa stated there still might be enough time to submit this to the voters. Mc Higa noted a certain number of readings must first be held but if the Council called for a special meeting, PC REPORT NO. 100