HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0110.003 2022-2024 p/cecoc
COMM. I l0
From: tawn
Sent: Sunday, March 05, 2023 7:34 AM 47)
CD
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Communication 110 - Testimony
Testimony: Communication 110 - Requests discussion with the Planning Department
regarding the status of the Zoning and subdivision code updates cz
Seeing this communication gives me confidence that the function and process of rept'esenfative
government is alive and healthy. There have been questions raised regarding the reasons for the,
what appeared to be precipitous, decision to revise the Zoning and Subdivision Codes. Those
questions, at least in my mind, might be gathered as follows:
1. For a number of years (at least five, and possibly seven or eight) the Planning Dept. and County
had been working on revision.to the General Plan. It would seem that the General Plan should have
been completed and presented to the Public prior to the diversion of attention to the Zoning and
Subdivision Codes. What was the need to tackle the Z & S codes prior to presentation of the General
Plan?
2. Along these same lines the Planning Dept. has merely stated that the Zoning and Subdivision
Codes are getting old and it is time for an update. The Planning Dept. seems to have avoided
answering the question of, "What is actually wrong with the Z and S Codes as they exist now?".
3. As a reflection of this same question, comments have been offered that the proposed format for
the Z & S Code revision will embody entirely new constructions. This subverts the obvious
advantages of comparison of the proposed changes with the existing elements of Code that would
would be apparent using Ramsayer format to modify the existing Code. At the very least the
Planning Department must be asked to be specific in any proposal for Code revision as to what
elements of the existing code are intending to be changed and why those elements are inadequate as
they currently exist.
4. Why, with the services of the Planning Department so substantially inadequate to their current
responsibilities (for example, limitation and then withdrawal of ordinance prescribed administrative
support from the Community Development Plans' Action Committees), was it felt there to be an
urgency in committing its overburdened resources to Code revision? It has been commented that the
County of Maui devoted six years to Zoning and Subdivision Code revision. If this is the case (which I
don't know), would it not be wise to slow down the process? Complete and present the draft of
General Plan revisions and then resume work on the Zoning and Subdivisions Codes in the light of
the General Plan's directives.
5. And, of course, it is clearly the case that the Council, representing the citizens of the Islands
districts, should be working together with the Planning Department in the process of revision, rather
than being expected to be a 'rubber stamp' at the end of any revision process.
Mahalo for consideration of the above comments.
Tawn Keeney MD
Comm. Ito, t0'�
Ref.To: G LVo
1 Ref. Date MAR - 7 2UZ3