PD BACKGROUND & RECOMMENDATION REPORT (PL-CCI-2022-000001)

Home

between the adoption of the ordinance and the end of 2023. This requirement increases over time to include more chargers and plugs,with up to at least eight(8)plugs and associated parking spaces by the end of 2029. Existing parking facilities with over 50 parking stalls that apply for Plan Approval after the adoption of the ordinance will have an additional two (2)years to come into compliance with the requirements outlined above. Finally, existing parking facilities with over 50 parking stalls that do not need to apply for Plan Approval,will be required to comply with the requirements of HRS 291- 71, likely enforced by either proactive compliance on the part of the lot owner, or based on a public complaint for violations of the Zoning Code requirements. The bill, as written may have an economic impact on lot owners, however, the bill does allow a site owner to charge a reasonable fee for the use of an EV charger, and the State has a rebate program in place for landowners who install the required EV charging systems, so this may alleviate some of the up-front installation costs and maintenance costs moving forward. Furthermore, the bill gives the Planning Director the authority to require fewer direct current fast chargers, so long as the overall charging capacity is equal to or greater than what would otherwise be required with the required alternating current Level 2 chargers. Finally,there are exceptions and exemptions for parking facilities that have certain site constraints, for example, lack of necessary electrical infrastructure to the site to support the EV charging systems and location of the site in the highest flood risk zone as established by FEMA. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDATION The Planning Director is generally supportive of the intent of Bill 120 and appreciates the time and effort the County Council has taken to draft legislation to address the need for EV chargers and parking spaces in areas of public accommodation in Hawaii County. The Director is recommending various revisions to Bill 120 to address housekeeping changes that are needed to implement the intent of Bill 120, and more substantive changes so to help better enforce the requirements found therein. The Planning Commissions may approve all, some, or none of the Director's suggested recommendations. The Commissions may also offer their own revisions to the -6-