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omm. 110
Comments on Communication 110
re. Planning Department discussion on Zoning/Subdivision Code Update
for Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee
March 7, 2023 2: 00 p.m. c
from Cory Harden ?
Aloha Councilmembers " -<
•
I am favorably impressed by the consultants,the open houses, and the inclusion of many valuable c�. c°r"
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comments as the update progresses. --
However, I hope this discussion will proceed differently than the recent Joint Action Committee/
Community Development Plan (AC/CDP) meeting.That was a much-anticipated opportunity for aIle
ACs to exchange information about their efforts and ask questions of Planning. But instead, Director Kern
took up a large chunk of time reporting on general Planning actions and telling personalized stories.This
left little time for each AC to share their thoughts.There was even less time for questions,and these were
not answered in depth.
, Re.today's discussion,there are three major changes now in play.
First,the Zoning/Subdivision update. It's being rushed through in only 18 months.This means the bulk of
the update will be done under the current Mayor and department heads, before any possible changes
from the 2024 election. By contrast, Maui is spending much more time on its Zoning Code update--six
years.
Second,the General Plan is also being updated. But though it's a high-level overview, it's not being done
before the more detailed Zoning/Subdivision project.
Third, despite laws supporting strong ACs and strong CDPs,the ACs have recently been weakened.
Planning paused appointments of new AC members two years ago,with no public notice,and only
resumed appointments after a public outcry. Planning refused to let ACs review certain proposed land
use changes. Planning also reduced staff support so meetings were held less often,then abruptly pulled
away almost all support.
All three changes leave the door wide open for community voices to be stifled and special interests to
have their way with our island.
So please ask these questions:
Who decided to allow only 18 months for our update?What was their authority to do this?
Is it correct that staff stopped assisting ACs because the staff chose to work instead on the Zoning/
Subdivision update? Or was it the Director's decision to re-assign them?
Could staff be freed up to support the Community Development Plan Action Committees by allowing
more time for the Zoning/Subdivision update?
Shouldn't the General Plan re-write,which is a high-level overview, be completed before the more
detailed Zoning/Subdivision re-write? 110
i r I
Comm. No.
Ref. To: P t Ga-00
Ref. Date MAR 7 2023
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What is the plan for outreach on the update to people who are unable to attend open houses or get on
Zoom—people with little Internet access, people with disabilities,the elderly,and people living in
poverty?Will the consultant contact agencies that serve these populations? *
How will the public know what was updated,and why,for both the General Plan and Zoning/Subdivision
updates?The consultants are not using Ramseyer format. However,they promised to reveal changes and
reasons. Please ask exactly how this will be done,with examples.
Will future Zoom meetings require less tech expertise?One meeting required quickly reading a OR code,
or accessing another website without losing the Zoom meeting, in order to vote on priorities.A number
of attendees said they couldn't do this,so votes on priorities were skewed in favor of tech-savvy people.
How about not assuming any expertise beyond getting on Zoom and turning "mute" and "video" off and
on?
Can the information presented at focus groups be spread out over several meetings?At one focus group,
the volume of information was overwhelming, and it was confusing because of jargon and acronyms.
Votes on priorities were probably skewed in favor of people who were familiar with developer
applications.
Mahalo for your consideration.
*About 1 out of 7 Hawai'i Island residents live in poverty, and the same percentage do not have a
broadband Internet subscription.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/hawaiicountyhawaii/1NC110221