HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0017.021 2020-2022 t .a
From: Sherri Thal
Seat: Monday, March 01, 2021 9:07 AM
To: Council Testimony; Kierkiewicz, Ashley
Subject: Please defer Bill 5
Aloha Councilmembers,
Please defer Bill 5 until provisions for automatic denial are added. At this time, Ms. Kierkiewicz and
Corporation Counsel are working on these provisions for automatic denial, but it would be beneficial to see
how their ideas work with Bill 5 before passing it.
Automatic denial is better than automatic acceptance. If the automatic denial deadline draws near in an
untimely fashion, then an extension can be granted if necessary and agreeable to involved parties. If denial
does happen, the applicant can simply try again later.
The idea of automatic approval presents problems for all. It means projects are approved with no
conditions—such as reducing impacts to neighbors, paying impact fees, citing environmental concerns,
and looking at affordable housing issues. Bill 5 now says automatic approval can only be stopped by a
contested case hearing. These hearings cost two hundred dollars to file and require citizens to spend
valuable time at Planning Commission meetings and legal hearings, often engaging against experienced
consultants and lawyers.
Please refrain from passing Bill 5 until it includes automatic denial.
Mahalo,
Sherri Thal, Kea'au, HI 96749
Comm. .
Ref.To, p W
Ref. Date A LEI
��„ I
1