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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMTTTEE ON PLANNING <br /> <br /> DATE: June 19, 2007 Re: Comm. No. 472/Besolution No. 235 <br /> <br /> PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa <br /> 78-128 Ehukai Street <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 2:30 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 235, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 235, transmitted via Communication No. 472 from Council Chairman Pete <br /> Hoffmann, dated June 1, 2007, transmitting a Resolution requesting that the Planning Director <br /> initiate an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 25, Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as <br /> amended) Relating to Zoning. <br /> Communication No. 472 requests that the Planning Director initiate an ordinance to amend <br /> Chapter 25, article 5, division 16, section 25-5-162(b), Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 <br /> Edition, as amended), be amended to permit wind energy facilities in the Open zoned district, <br /> provided that a use permit is issued for each such use. <br /> Resolution No. 235 states that power rates in Hawaii County are among the highest in the nation <br /> and that private initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and renewable power generation closer <br /> to customer load centers should be encouraged. The Resolution also states that the Waikoloa <br /> Village Association in exploring energy self-sufficiency through photovoltaic and wind power <br /> generation is considering a 250-acre parcel of land it owns in the Open zoned district as a <br /> potential wind power generation site. <br /> At the June 19, 2007 Committee on Planning meeting there were three members of the public <br /> who presented oral testimony. Mr. Rodney Piedvache and Ms. Kathlyn Richardson offered <br /> comments regarding Resolution No. 235 and Mr. Ralph Roland presented testimony in <br /> opposition. <br /> Council Chair Pete Hoffmann stated the Resolution was an outgrowth from suggestions of the <br /> Waikoloa Village Association and that there are approximately 10,000 acres surrounding <br /> Waikoloa Village zoned Open. Chair Hoffmann stated one of the things proven successful in the <br /> Waikoloa area is wind farming and that the Association was moving forward to find reasonable <br /> uses of its Open zoned lands. <br /> Chair Hoffmann stated that currently within the Open zone category, wind energy facilities are <br /> not a permitted use and that as the result of discussions with the Planning Director he was <br /> PC Report No. 34 <br /> <br />