COM 0351.000 2016-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT KA'O COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN BACKGROUND REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION The Planning Director recommends that the Windward Planning Commission send a favorable recommendation to the Hawai'i County Council for adoption by ordinance of the Ka'u Community Development Plan (CDP), as presented in Planning Department (P.D.) Exhibit 1, incorporating non - substantive revisions to the draft recommended by the Ka'u CDP Steering Committee. CONTEXT The General Plan (2005 edition, as amended) establishes the County's CDP program to create a framework for regional planning that provides residents and other stakeholders the opportunity to actively participate in planning for their communities. CDPs are adopted by ordinance. The Ka'u CDP is a fine example of robust collaborative planning among community, consultant, and County partners. It is firmly grounded in the community's objectives and has been vetted by a diverse array of stakeholders at each step. It was also developed with practicality and clarity in mind, using existing planning "tools" whenever possible and structured to expedite implementation. Bearing that in mind, the Windward Planning Commission and the County Council are encouraged to take great care when considering revisions. Perhaps most importantly, before proposing revisions to any CDP strategy, review the rationale behind that strategy in CDP Appendix 5 (P.D. Exhibit 2). This approach would be most consistent with how challenging issues have been addressed throughout the CDP process — by focusing on community objectives, accurate information, and good analysis rather than on parochial interests and the number, passion, and volume of commentary. PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES The Ka'u CDP planning process built on the strengths and lessons -learned from the first round of CDPs adopted in 2008. Specifically, it: Used many communication channels: Stakeholders were engaged via mail, local newspapers, neighborhood newsletters, bulletin boards, email, a web site, social media, video, tours, small group meetings, summits, workshops, focused discussions, and speak -outs. ■ Built on shared community values, vision, and goals: Those were the foundation and drivers of the planning process. They were developed based on unprecedented, representative community input, and they were used to evaluate the quality of the CDP. ■ Balanced perspectives: "Community" is never homogenous, so the volunteer, community-based CDP Steering Committee was diverse, and many community sectors and interests were engaged.