REP PC 044 2020/01/07 2018-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: January 7, 2020 Re: Comm. No. 658/Res.No. 432-20 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:31 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 432-20, reports as follows: Resolution No. 432-20, introduced by Committee Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz and transmitted via Communication No. 658, dated November 29, 2019, urges the County to establish funding in fiscal year 2020-2021 for a comprehensive audit and analysis of Chapter 23, Subdivisions, and Chapter 25, Zoning, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended). Planning Chair Kierkiewicz explained that the zoning and subdivision codes are outdated and that previous amendments made to the Code that were meant to help have, in reality, created issues and inconsistencies. She stated the need for simpler, clearer and more interactive codes, and pointed out that the last major overhaul of the zoning code took place in 1996. Chair Kierkiewicz called the audit as "timely" as the General Plan was underway and would help guide the code refresh. She thanked the Planning Department for their collaboration on the resolution. Hawaii County Planning Department Director Michael Yee and Acting Deputy Director April Surprenant, were invited to testify, echoing the need to update these codes. They explained the audit was the first step in a comprehensive rewrite that would take approximately four years to complete. Council Members Valerie Poindexter, Tim Richards, and Maile David all offered words of support. Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder questioned the need for the audits; his concerns were addressed by Director Yee, who encouraged his support. Chair Kierkiewicz explained she wanted unanimous support of the Committee so that the Administration is aware of the Council's priority and can include an appropriation in the FY2020-2021 Operating Budget. PC Report No.:44