HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPLUD 007 2024/01/23 (2022-2024)REPORT OF THE POLICY
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING,
LAND USE, AND DEVELOPMENT
DATE: January 23, 2024
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:17 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 678/ Bill 124
Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, to which was referred Bill
No. 124, reports as follows:
Bill 124, transmitted by Committee Member I -leather Kimball via Communication No. 678, dated
December 27, 2023, amends Chapter 5B, Article 2, Section 5B -2-1(D), of the Hawaii County Code
1983 (2016 Edition, as Amended), Relating to Wind Design Criteria for Residential Buildings.
This bill would establish provisions specific to single -story, slab -on -grade residential buildings.
At 7:40 p.m., Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz recessed the meeting. The meeting reconvened
on January 24, 2024, at 2:31 p.m. At this time, they began discussion regarding Bill 124.
Committee Member Heather Kimball stated the piece of legislation is at the request of the
administration, the Mayor specifically.
Public Works Director Stephen Pause presented an overview and responded to questions from the
Kona Chambers. Mayor Mitchell Roth was present in the Hilo Chambers and conveyed his support,
noting the potential for improvements and cost savings in the building permitting process.
Ms. Kimball shared that the bill modifies a section of the County's Residential Building Code to
match the International Building Code standards for wind speeds. The bill proposes to remove
structural engineering requirements for building projects in certain areas of the island that are
within a projected wind speed of 140 Vni,. Mr. Pause presented a map to identify what areas of
Hawaii Island would benefit from this proposed change and assured Committee Members that
removing this requirement would not compromise public safety.
Committee Member Sue Lee Loy expressed her support for the measure and asked for clarity on
structural engineering costs. She asked if areas identified were overlaid on a GIS map to determine if
any parts of communities were completely in or partially out of these areas.
Ms. Kimball disclosed that her husband, an architect, does not confer any direct benefits from this
bill as he works on commercial projects and this bill would impact dwelling units.
PCPLUD Report No.: 7
PCPLUD-7 Page 2 January 24,2024
Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development is in accord with the purpose and
intent of Bill 124, and recommends its passage on first reading.
kj
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
EVANS x POLICY COMMITTEE ON
GALIMBA x PLANNING, LAND USE,
INABA X A DEVEL MENT
KAGIWADA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
LEE LOY X PCPLUD REPORT NO.: 7
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: FEB 0 7 2024