REP PCPLUED 005 2025-07-22 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, LAND USE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: July 22, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 142Bill No. 29 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 2:01 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development, to which was referred Bill No. 29, reports as follows: Bill No. 29, transmitted by Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz via Communication No. 142, dated February 6, 2025, amends Chapter 25, Article 3, Section 25-3-3, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to the establishment of zoning districts. The bill would allow for the establishment of special zoning districts using methods of geographical description other than metes and bounds. On February 18, 2025, as Bill No. 29 was introduced, Committee Vice Chair Michelle Galimba assumed the role of Acting Chair. Chair Kierkiewicz introduced the bill to support the creation of a special commercial district in Downtown P5hoa as part of broader revitalization efforts. She explained that metes and bounds mapping is costly and complex, and noted that such descriptions were not required to establish the special districts in Downtown Hilo or Kailua Village. The bill proposes to allow the Planning Director to approve alternative methods for identifying the boundaries of a special district. Both Planning Director Jeff Darrow and Planner V Tracie-Lee Camero were available in the Hilo Chambers to respond to questions. Acting Chair Galimba inquired about potential conflicts between zoning maps and metes and bounds, particularly in the context of special districts. Mr. Darrow clarified that the bill applies solely to special districts. Both Committee Member Heather Kimball and Acting Chair Galimba voiced their support for the bill. Bill No. 29 was referred to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions on February 18, 2025. PCPLUED Report No. 5