2019-06-20 Leeward Exh B (Amend Kona CDP)

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VITOUSEK: So there are no like guidelines, codes or anything like that dictate how the CDP is updated after its ten-year period, is that right? PLUNKETT: Bethany Morrison from Long Range, Planning Department. MORRISON: Good afternoon, Commission. Bethany Morrison from the Planning Department. So, the context for the CDP is really coming from the 2005 General Plan that laid out what they would be and how they would function and operate. So that’s the only guidance that we have for moving them along, and it just mentions so they should be comprehensively reviewed but it doesn’t mention a structural process. And so part of our General Plan comprehensive review is looking at our planning structure, and the lessons that we’ve learned in the past ten years since we had CDPs and how they function with the General Plan, and part of that really was part of this Missler conversation and recognizing their proper authority. VITOUSEK: So while the review of the General Plan is happening now, is that something that’s going to be built into that on providing guidelines for how to review the CDPs— MORRISON: Yes. VITOUSEK: —and will we be reviewing that as well? MORRISON: Absolutely. So the General Plan comprehensive review is outlining the planning structure just as it did in 2005, but again, with more detail from the lessons that we’ve learned through these past ten years. So, that will be part of the General Plan that comes before you, obviously before we would move, forward to County Council for adoption. VITOUSEK: Okay, I guess, for me, going into the kind of specifics of “should”s and “shall”s in the, in the document and how that kind of relates to South Kona where I live. Number, what I’m looking at is on Page 10, “To the extent practicable, pedestrian improvements and/or bicycle accommodations” – “shall” is removed – “should be added to existing public streets when repaving or doing other repair or maintenance work ….” And along the same lines, you know, “Every public elementary school in Kona” – “shall” crossed out – “\[should\] have a Safe Routes to School program.” You know, I feel like, as we are looking through these and prioritizing what is important to the community, I feel like the public safety issues of being able to safely walk to school and having, being able to safely walk along the street is something that we don’t have in South Kona. You know, I wouldn’t let my children go anywhere near the roads, you know, I think about the, Ulu Kaaloa, the girl who was killed walking home from school in Hōnaunau because the crosswalk went from the school to off of a cliff and there was no place for them to walk. And I feel like if we are picking and choosing what’s important to our communities, then that’s something that is of the most important to the South Kona community of being able to walk safely along the streets. And I understand that there are restrains versus, State versus County roadways, but, you know, it already says, “To the extent practicable,” and, you know, if the State is requiring County permits for doing roadway improvements on any form, then that would be the opportunity to, for the County to assert itself and uphold these requirements of the CDP. 19 EXHIBIT B