COM 0042.073 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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History of the Plan General [plan] Plan studies in the County of Hawaii were initiated in the late 1950's[.] and were limited to particular regions of the island such as the Hilo. Kona. Kohala. Hamakua. and Puna Districts. As such, these initial general plans lacked a comprehensive, coordinated, and integrated overview of the entire County. The first of these studies, "A Plan for Kona was completed in 1960 and encompassed the districts of North and South Kona. "A Plan for the Metropolitan Area of Hilo" was completed in 1961 for the districts of South Hilo and Puna. "The Kohala-Hamakua Region General Plan" was completed in 1963 and covered part of the district of North Kona and the districts of North and South Kohala, Hamakua and North Hilo. These regional plans were adopted by Ordinance No. 317 in July 1965, as the General Plan for the County. The district of Ka'u was the only area in the County not covered by this plan. With the adoption and ratification of the County Charter in 1968, the General Plan emerged as a major policy document. Section 3-[16] 15 of the County Charter states: "The county council shall adopt by ordinance a general plan which shall set forth the Council's policy for Zong-range comprehensive physical development of the County. It shall contain a statement of development objectives, standards and principles with respect to the most desirable use of land within the County for residential, recreational, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural resources and the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites; the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the County; a system of principal thoroughfares, highways, streets, public access to the shoreline, and other open spaces; the general locations, relocations and improvement of public buildings, the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned, for water, sewers, light, power, transit and other purposes, the extent and location o~'public housing projects, adequate drainage facilities and control; air pollution; and such other matters as may, in the Council's judgment, be benefzeial to the social, economic, and governme~ual conditions and trends and shall be designed to assure the coordinated development of the County and to promote the general we~dre and prosperity of its people. ~ The Council shall enact zoning, subdivision, and other such ordinances, which shall contain the necessary provisions to carry out the purpose of the General Plan. l~ No public improvement. protect, subdivision, or zoning ordinances. shall be initiated or adopted unless the same conforms to and implements the General Plan. ~ Amendments to the General Plan may be initiated by the Council or the Plannine Director. " 4 Introduction