HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 139 2024/05/14 (2022-2024) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: May 14, 2024 Re: Comm. No. 760/Bill No. 138
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 1:00 P.M.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Bill No. 138, reports as follows:
Bill No. 138, introduced by Member Cindy Evans and Member Holeka G. Inaba via
Communication No. 760, February 23, 2024, amends Chapter 2, Article 7, of the Hawaii County
Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to Planning.
This bill requires the Planning Director to submit semi-annual reports to the County Council
indicating those properties for which: (1) a change of zoning district ordinance has expired
without completion of all conditions; (2) an initial time extension for the performance of
conditions on the change of zone has been granted; (3) applications have been approved for
zoning variances, subdivision variances, subdivisions, `ohana dwelling unit permits,
nonsignificant zoning changes, approval of plans for telecommunication antennas, or additional
farm dwelling agreements; and (4) the Planning Director retains exclusive authority to grant the
right to build.
This bill was previously heard and postponed on March 19, 2024.
Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee Meeting of March 19, 2024
The introducers explained the provisions contained within the bill.
Member Inada made a motion to postpone Bill No. 138 to the Governmental Operations and
External Affairs Committee meeting of April 2, 2024. The committee passed the motion.
Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee Meeting of April 2, 2024
Hawaii County Planning Department Director Zendo Kern was present in the Hilo Chambers to
provide comments and communicated that the Department currently produces reports for public
view. The introducers explained that it would benefit the County if these reports could be
consolidated into one document and presented to the Council.
Member Inaba moved to postpone Bill No. 138 to the Governmental Operations and External
Affairs Committee meeting of April 30, 2024, which was rescheduled to May 1, 2024. The
committee passed the motion.
GOEAC Report No. 139
GOEAC-139 Page 2 May 14,2024
Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee Meeting of May 1, 2024
Member Inaba moved to postpone Bill No. 138 to the Governmental Operations and External
Affairs Committee meeting of May 14, 2024. The committee passed the motion.
Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee Meeting of May 14 ,2024
Member Cindy Evans led the discussion and moved to amend Bill No. 138 with the contents of
Communication 760.6.
Hawai`i County Planning Department Deputy Director Jeffrey Darrow was present in the Hilo
Chambers to provide comments on the amendment and explained that the Planning Department
staff is working with a new system to generate reports. He also expressed his concern that
including Short Term Vacation Rental applications would largely increase the size of the report.
Member Kagiwada stated that Short Term Vacation Rental information should be included in a
separate report and would not support the amendment. Member Kimball concurred.
Member Evans withdrew Communication No. 760.6 and moved to amend Bill 138 with the
contents of 760.7, with a second from Member Inaba. After some discussion, the motion passed
unanimously.
Member Kimball noted that given the timing of when this bill would go into effect, it would not
be reasonable to expect the Planning Department to produce a meaningful report in that short of
a time. Member Sue L.K. Lee Loy agreed and suggested that the bill go into effect July 1, 2024,
so that the Planning Department could present their report to the Council in
January 2025.
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Bill No. 138, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
EVANS X
GALIMBA x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
INABA x OPERATIONS AND
KAGIWADA x EX RNAL AFFAIRS
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X L--�
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL x CINDY E S, CHAIR
LEE LOY X GOEAC REPORT NO.: 139
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: JUN 0 5 2U 4