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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PCPLUED 2025/07/22 (2024-2026) Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development 14t' Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii July 22, 2025 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and ORDER: Economic Development was called to order at 2:01 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Mr. James E. Hustace, Acting Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair(via videoconference from Hilo) Mr. James E. Hustace, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member Absent & Excused: Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Vice Chair Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Mr. Matt Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member STATEMENTS The Acting Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business. FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individual registered to speak and came forward when called by the Acting Chair: Sara Steiner: Bill 29 (Comm. 142), in opposition. ACTING CHR. HUSTACE: Thank you. Can we move to our item on the agenda,please. BILLS FOR The Acting Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. PCPLUED-14 July 22,2025 Bill 29: AMENDS CHAPTER 25, ARTICLE 3, SECTION 25-3-3, OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS Allows for the establishment of special zoning districts using methods of geographical description other than metes and bounds. Reference: Comm. 142 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Referred to Planning Commissions: February 18, 2025 and Comm. 142.1: From Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., dated June 23, 2025, transmitting for Council's consideration and action, recommendation letters from the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions. ; and Comm. 142.2: From Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow, dated June 25, 2025, transmitting presentation material relating to Bill 29. ; and Comm. 142.3: From Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, dated July 2, 2025, transmitting proposed amendments to Bill 29. Motion to Approve: Mr. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend passage of Bill 29 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Kimball. ACTING CHR. HUSTACE: Council Member Kierkiewicz,the floor is yours. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Really appreciate the favorable recommendation by the Planning Department and both of the Planning Commissions regarding this request to update this section of the Code to allow for flexibility regarding the establishment of Special Districts and whether or not it's necessary to include a metes and bounds type map. As you know, I have been working with the Puna community following the 2018 eruption to find ways to revitalize the downtown Pdhoa area. And you know, some of the research that we have been doing, noticed that both downtown Hilo and Kailua(Kona)both have Special Commercial Districts that were created with different landmarks, street names, and different designations. When our office worked to establish a Special District for Pahoa, we were met with this reality that we needed to do a metes and bounds map. Fortunately, downtown Hilo and Kailua Village districts were established before this requirement was put into the Code. So,just looking for parity. And this would Page 2 PCPLUED-14 July 22,2425 allow other Council Members to work in partnership with their communities to establish Special Districts. I know that Planning Director Darrow is here and that they have a friendly amendment that they would like to offer up. So I'm going to ask him to explain that, and then we can move with an amendment to the bill. Thank you, Chair. ACTING CHR. HUSTACE: Thank you, Council Member. Director Darrow did you want to go ahead with your presentation? Is that part of the agenda? Members is it alright to hear his presentation this morning, or did you want further discussion. Alright, Director Darrow, the floor is yours. (Note: At this time, Planning Director Jeff Darrow came forward to address the members of the Committee and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the presentation, see the DVD copy of the proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office, or online at http://hawaiicounty.granicus.com. A copy of the presentation is made part of the record, see Comm. 142.2.) MR. DARROW: That concludes our presentation,thank you. That was a lot of words, sorry about that. ACTING CHR. HUSTACE: Thanks Director. Appreciate you going through all of that with us. To the members, any additional questions or comments for the Director or the maker? Quite on this side, Council Member Kierkiewicz. So, if you want to continue with your conversation? Council Member Kierkiewicz. Motion to Amend: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to amend Bill 29, with the contents of Comm. 142.3. Seconded by Ms. Kimball. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Director Darrow has already described the need for this friendly amendment. So, I will direct any questions members might have to the Planning Department. But I'm in support of it. Thank you, I yield. ACTING CHR. HUSTACE: Thank you, Council Member. Any other questions? We did walk through some of the slides here. And thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz for the amendment here to mirror language from Director Darrow. Any other discussion? Okay, those in favor of the amendment please say, "aye." And those opposed with a nay? Page 3 PCPLUED-14 July 22,2025 Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 29 with the contents of to Amend: Comm. 142.3 was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Committee Members Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Acting Chair Hustace—6. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Galimba, Inaba, and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder— 3. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. HUSTACE: Back to the main motion. Any further discussion? Okay, seeing none, all those in favor please say, "aye." Any opposed? Vote on Bill 29: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 29, as amended Draft 2) to Draft 2, on first reading was carried by the following (Approved) voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Acting Chair Hustace—6. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Galimba, Inaba, and Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder— 3. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. HUSTACE: That is the last item on the agenda for this committee. This meeting adjourns at 2:20 p.m. Thank you. ADJOURN- There being no further business, Acting Chair Hustace adjourned the meeting MENT: at 2:20 p.m. Approved: 61 LO Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair (Date) Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development AKldt Page 4