2024-09-25 PL-INT-2024-008750 GP 2045 Draft Comments - C. Flaherty

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The 2022 working sessions were conducted to review land use designations categorically. Using a live working session format, questions were explored about map designations in real time, identifying areas to flag for review. Comments from the previous online review platform were also reviewed to determine appropriate responses and actions. In sessions exploring urban designations, uses near centers and development plans were considered. Inclusion of the Urban Expansion designation as a proposed land use provided an opportunity to revisit appropriate locations for that use: • Review areas of LUPAG within Urban Expansion. • Look at undeveloped existing land use • Exclude areas that are already at capacity, map those at the capacity • Exclude state owned conservation, critical habitat, county parks. • Within TODs, use the appropriate high or medium urban designations. The next sessions explored rural and agriculture uses for consistency with State Land Use, zoning, and the 2020 UH-Hilo Agriculture data. Conservation and Natural areas were reviewed for consistency with State Land Use, native habitat landcover data, and area plans for conservation. These review sessions highlighted areas for potential changes to better align with intended criteria. After incorporating recommendations to the GPLU map in the spring-summer 2023, an interactive mapping platform was designed to provide a single location for public users to review the proposed map and add comments.The mapping platform links to the Konveio General Plan document review platform directly, allowing users to derive document searches from the map and to query the map based on questions in the document.The public review process concluded on April 1, 2024. Over 200 comments were provided on the GPLU maps. From the public review process, a few considerations were identified and reviewed. Consideration: Some areas assigned Urban Expansion land use are currently developed as urban. Action: Review existing development in Urban Epansion to identify areas that are built or at capacity and assign consistent urban designations. Consideration:The Kona CDP identified areas at high elevation for consideration of protection to help with water protection, landslide risk, and native habitat. Action: Review lands in the County above 2,500 feet elevation for possible Natural designation. Property in public ownership identified for Natural designation. Consideration: Lands identified by the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) should be designated as conservation lands. Action: Map the PONC lands and reclassify to Conservation Land Use. Consideration:The coastal buffer for the island was initially proposed to have Recreation as the universal designation. Many coastal areas are in SLUD Conservation areas. Focused Planning Solutions LLC Page 5 of 18