HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0110.004 2022-2024 P/CRCOC-
COMM. 110
From: Janice Glennie
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2023 12:00 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 110 zoning/subdivision code update rushed and out of sync with Gerfal c
Plan/CDP progress =-t,
Re: Communication 110 — Planning Department discussion on Zoning/Subdivision Code Update =
Communications, Reports,and Council Oversight Committee; March 7, 2023 2: 00 p.m. cp
w 7.7
Aloha Councilmembers,
Please hear your constituents when we say that the subdivision and zoning code update process needs to slow down, be
more inclusive,and taken in an order and priority that makes more sense, has been demanded for decades (community-
based land use planning), and which will, in the long run, be most efficient and less costly.
A few of the points and questions regarding the need to revisit/slow this process down:
• The process feels top-down which is the antithesis of what residents were demanding when they created the
community development plan paradigm.
• The process is being taken out of order.
o Depending upon the General Plan update,the subdivision and zoning code update may have to be
revisited — a waste of taxpayer money and other resources including staff time.
• The process doesn't feel inclusive.
o The first open house (at least that I was aware of) in West Hawaii was at Old Airport Pavilion which was
comfortable and productive.The next one was held at the West Hawaii Civic Center in a small, confined,
crowded meeting room.With all of the exhibits,there was no way to be comfortably distance from others
during covid times. I didn't take part that night because of it.
o Technical inaccessibility(for some): Online"open house" was extremely difficult to navigate despite my
knowledge of the process and planning. I finally figured it out, but felt that I didn't have enough time after
that to provide the input I would've liked to. How would it be for others less technologically
knowledgeable than myself, no less not knowing about the issues at hand?
• The planning director was unwilling or unable to answer serious questions about the subdivision and rezoning
process at the recent all-island CDP meeting leaving some of the most interested and active community
county public participants feeling like they were left in the dark about this crucial land use issue.
• Why is this process happening when the Planning Department is so short of staff that CDP meetings can't be
hosted by the PD as has been de riguer for almost 15 years and is demanded by,at least,the KCDP ordinance?
I've been chiming in to the planning department throughout what I see as a rushed,out-of-order zoning and subdivision
code update process and feel unheard by the planning director/administration to date. Land use planning affects
everything — everything— in a resident's life from housing,to recreation,to education, health care, a viable native
culture and more. We need our elected officials to step up to help protect citizens and our county's democratic process.
Please require or clearly direct the planning department to make changes to its current priority list to insure that citizens'
voices are heard,that processes are inclusive,that our money and other resources aren't wasted, and that regional
planning becomes —as demanded by ordinance and the voices of the People —the clear driver of land use planning rules
and process and, in the long run, how our communities thrive or suffer.
Mahalo and sincerely,
Janice Palma-Glennie Comm. No.
Ref.To: r G�LO
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Ref. Date MAR 7 2071