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REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br />DATE: November 17, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 606/Bill No. 170 <br />PLACE: Council Room <br />Ben Franklin Building <br />333 Kilauea Avenue, 2"a Floor <br />Hila, Hawai°i <br />TIME: 4:50 p.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill 170, reports as follows <br />Bill No. 170, transmitted via Communication No. 606, transmitted by Mayor William P. Kenoi, <br />dated October 29, 2009, proposes an amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning Code), Hawa'i'i County <br />Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) relating to solar energy facilities. The amendment will <br />allow solar energy facilities within the County's Agricultural zoned district provided that the <br />property is within the Land Study Bureau's class D or E soils. <br />Mr. Norman Hayashi appeared before your Committee to provide information regarding the <br />amendment. Mr. Hayashi informed your Committee that in 2008, the State legislature passed <br />legislation to include commercial solar energy facilities as a permitted use. This amendment <br />reflects the change. <br />Council Member Brenda Ford requested a definition of solar energy facility. Mr. Hayashi <br />informed her that a solar energy facility is a commercial facility. Ms. Ford stated that she wants <br />residential photovoltaic units in class B and C soils to be included. <br />Council Member Dominic Yagong stated that he was very concerned about the aesthetics of such <br />facilities, and requested that aesthetics and landscaping requirements be incorporated in the <br />amendment. <br />Committee Chair Donald Ikeda slated that he will work with the Planning Department to <br />determine if the requested amendments are appropriate, and if so, will make the amendments, <br />and will propose amendments at Council. <br />PC Report 53 <br />