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'1 BRPDInitiatedPla~vlpproval.doo- 11/22/06 COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND REPORT INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 25 The PLANNING DIRECTOR is initiating amendments to Chapter 25 (Zoning), Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) to consider noise impacts in reviewing plan approval applications. PROPOSED ACTION 1. Background: Plan approval is an administrative permit issued by the Planning Department. Plan approval is required for most new buildings, except for single-family dwellings and accessory buildings to those dwellings, and for most agricultural buildings. Plan approval must be completed before the issuance of a building permit for those structures that need plan approval. Plan approval is also required for some changes in use. In addition, Special Permits will usually include a condition requiring plan approval. Plan approval is the point at which the Planning Department checks for compliance with pertinent conditions of zoning, for compliance with the landscaping and parking requirements, for internal traffic circulation, and other issues related to the site. The various criteria for plan approval aze listed in Section 25-2-76. The Planning Director is proposing that the mitigation of noise impacts be included in the criteria for receiving plan approval. Often, noise impacts are among the main community issues with commercial arad industrial buildings. This can be an especially acute problem where industrial buildings or major agricultural processing facilities aze close to residential azeas. RECOMMENDATION For the reasons cited above, the Planning Director is initiating amendments to Chapter 25 (Zoning) and recommends that the Planning Commission send a favorable recommendation to the Hawaii County Council. The accompanying draft bill to amend Chapter 25 is provided for your favorable consideration. -1-