2019-08-05 General Plan Public Comment Meetings -- press release

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Harry Kim Michael Yee Mayor Director Wil Okabe Duane Kanuha Deputy Director Managing Director East Hawai‘i Office West Hawai‘i Office 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 County of Hawai‘i Phone (808) 961-8288 Phone (808) 323-4770 PLANNING DEPARTMENT Fax (808) 961-8742 Fax (808) 327-3563 PRESS RELEASE – DRAFT GENERAL PLAN August 5, 2019 Hawai'i County Planning Department to Release General Plan, Meetings Set for Public Comment The County of Hawai‘i Planning Department will release a draft of the updated Hawai‘i County General Plan on August 9, 2019, which will govern land use and development on Hawai'i Island for the next 25 years. The County’s General Plan is the policy document that guides long-term development, including local plans, zoning ordinances, and infrastructure projects on Hawai‘i Island. The General Plan is given a comprehensive review every 10 years. The last comprehensive review of the General Plan was in 2005. This update of the General Plan incorporates emerging issues that were not addressed in the 2005 General Plan, such as climate change, healthy communities, integrated water resource management, renewable energy, food security, equitable housing, and a place-based economy. According to Planning Director Michael Yee, “This plan is the first County plan to focus on sustainability with specific goals of self-sufficiency, social equity, economic mobility, and community well-being. These concepts are woven throughout the plan.” Yee added, “The plan incorporates the concepts of Urban Growth Areas, which will be used to prioritize infrastructure investment. This shifts the approach for rural areas, so they provide a transition between our productive agricultural lands and our urban uses.” To update the General Plan, the Planning Department conducted a comprehensive review of the existing 2005 General Plan and Community Development Plans (CDPs) from each of the districts around the Island. Throughout the process, County agencies, CDP Action/Steering Committees and the general public have been asked for input. Following release of the Draft General Plan, the Planning Department will host community events around the island during the month of August to solicit public comments. The public can drop into any of the events between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.hiplanningdept.com Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov