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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPLUED 010 2025-05-04 2024-2026REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, LAND USE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: May 4, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 9:08 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 372Bill No. 66 Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development, to which was referred Bill No. 66, reports as follows: Bill No. 66, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda via Communication No. 372, dated April 7, 2025, adopts the County of Hawaii General Plan 2045 and repeals Ordinance No. 05-025, as amended. On May 15, 2025, Committee Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz issued Communication 326 outlining the process and schedule for special meetings of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development. Communication 326.2 further outlined a proposed meeting cadence from July 2025 through March 2026 to allow for public testimony and Committee deliberation on each section of the bill. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Special Meeting of July 9, 2025. The Committee accepted public testimony on the Draft General Plan 2045. Chair Kierkiewicz introduced a proposed amendment via Communication 372.1, which incorporated recommendations made by Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow and Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions. Bill 66 was amended to Draft 2, with six "ayes" with Committee Members Michelle M. Galimba, Jennifer Kagiwada, and Dennis "Fresh" Onishi absent. Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba acknowledged Chair Kierkiewicz's leadership on the General Plan review, noting that a comprehensive update had not occurred in two decades. Committee Member Heather L. Kimball requested clarification regarding the Committee's review process. Chair Kierkiewicz explained that given the scope and breadth of the bill, Committee review and deliberation would continue through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, after which the bill would advance to the full Council for the two readings required for enactment as an ordinance. The Special Meeting of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development was recessed until its next scheduled meeting on July 29, 2025. PCPLUED Report No. 10 PCPLUED-10 Page 2 May 6, 2026 Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Special Meeting of July 29, 2025. Long -Range Planning Program Manager Bethany Morrison presented the "Introduction" and "Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship" sections. Discussion focused on plan organization, implementation tracking, public accessibility, and the feasibility of long-term implementation. Questions were raised regarding the authority to revise the plan following transmittal to Council, community engagement efforts, and formatting changes from prior General Plans. Concerns were raised regarding the absence of a Hilo Community Development Plan (CDP) and the lack of an Action Committee to provide input into the plan. Questions were raised regarding the rationale behind the revised formatting of the proposed plan compared to previous General Plans. Ms. Morrison explained that the format was influenced by community development plans and national planning models recognized by the American Planning Association. She stated that the Planning Department received technical support from third -party consultants and that departmental staff completed overall drafting, with support from artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT. Chair Kierkiewicz expressed interest in evaluating implementation feasibility and examining how actions contained in prior General Plans, dating back to 1971, had historically been carried out. Bill No. 66, Draft 2, was postponed to August 20, 2025. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Special Meeting of August 20, 2025. Vice Chair Michelle M. Galimba assumed the role of Acting Chair. Following public testimony, Chair Kierkiewicz highlighted Communication 372.31, which requests departmental feedback regarding how the General Plan informs operations, budgeting, and decision -making, and Communication 372.32, which was prepared in response to public requests for a comparison of past and current General Plans. The Special Meeting of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development was recessed until its next scheduled meeting on August 25, 2025. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Special Meeting of August 25, 2025. Vice Chair Michelle M. Galimba assumed the role of Acting Chair. Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow, Long -Range Planning Program Manager Bethany Morrison, and Planner IV Janice Hata presented the "Addressing Climate Change for Islandwide Health" section. Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience Administrator Laura Acasio, Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen, and Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell were present in the Hilo Chambers to respond to questions. PCPLUED Report No. 10 PCPLUED-10 Page 3 May 6, 2026 Discussion focused on the practicality of implementing the Draft 2045 General Plan, including staffing capacity, policy application, legal implications, and maintaining flexibility in implementation. Chair Kierkiewicz questioned whether the County currently has the capacity to carry out the plan's climate initiatives and community engagement objectives. Ms. Acasio noted the County lacks staffing and has considered the use of third -parry contractual support. Ms. Kagiwada emphasized the importance of identifying clear priorities to ensure the plan functions as an active guiding document. Ms. Kimball stated that the plan should provide policy direction without becoming overly rigid or prescriptive, noting that implementation decisions are shaped by budget constraints, administrative priorities, and available resources. She suggested incorporating clearer benchmarks and performance metrics within the plan. Mr. Inaba asked how non -binding provisions within the bill would function once formally adopted. Ms. Campbell explained that while the General Plan primarily serves as a policy and guidance document, it still carries legal weight by informing Planning Department actions, including permit reviews, land use decisions, and related administrative determinations. Chair Kierkiewicz referenced public testimony expressing concern regarding the potential acquisition of private property by government entities. Ms. Morrison clarified that references to land acquisition tools would be for public purposes and do not independently authorize eminent domain actions. Bill No. 66, Draft 2, was postponed to its next scheduled meeting on September 17, 2025. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Special Meeting of September 17, 2025. The Special Meeting of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development accepted public testimony and was recessed until its next scheduled meeting on September 23, 2025. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Special Meeting of September 23, 2025. Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow, Long -Range Planning Program Manager Bethany Morrison, and Planner IV Janice Hata were in Hilo Chambers to present on the "Sustainable & Resilient Communities" section. Discussion focused on land use planning, infrastructure coordination, growth management, and environmental hazards. Committee Member James E. Hustace inquired,whether the General Plan maps identified potential hazards and environmental risks in relation to planned development areas. Mr. Darrow responded that mapping hazards and risks presents challenges because environmental conditions are subject to change over time. PCPLUED Report No. 10 PCPLUED-10 Page 4 May 6, 2026 Committee members also expressed concerns regarding infrastructure capacity, transportation systems, and the pace of development relative to the availability of supporting public facilities and services. Ms. Morrison demonstrated the General Plan map comparison tool, which allows users to compare existing and proposed land use designations across Hawaii Island. The Special Meeting of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development was recessed until its next scheduled meeting on September 30, 2025. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Special Meeting of September 30, 2025. Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow and Long -Range Planning Program Manager Bethany Morrison were in Hilo Chambers to resume presenting the "Sustainable & Resilient Communities" section. Discussion focused on implementation, maintenance, and long-term operational capacity. Questions were raised regarding funding mechanisms for zero -waste initiatives, deferred maintenance, and capital priorities, and departmental coordination related to implementation and fiscal impacts. Discussion also addressed the importance of establishing long-term operational standards that remain consistent through future administration transitions. Chair Kierkiewicz referenced Communication 372.55, which included feedback from County departments on the plan's operationalization and implementation. She added that the Finance Department was expected to join the Planning Department at a future meeting to discuss fiscal and implementation considerations. Bill No. 66, Draft 2, was postponed to October 8, 2025. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Special Meeting of October 8, 2025. The Special Meeting of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development accepted public testimony and was recessed until its next scheduled meeting on October 27, 2025. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Special Meeting of October 27, 2025. Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow and Long -Range Planning Program Manager Bethany Morrison were in Hilo Chambers to present the "Thriving, Diverse, and Regenerative Economy" section. Discussion focused on the plan's economic strategy centered on tourism and agriculture, the lack of sector diversification, agritourism, land use policy, infrastructure concentration in urban areas, and alignment between housing and economic development patterns. Finance Director Diane Nakagawa and Deputy Finance Director Malia Kekai were in Hilo Chambers to present on fiscal alignment, administrative feasibility, and implementation considerations for the plan. PCPLUED Report No. 10 PCPLUED-10 Page 5 May 6, 2026 Bill No. 66, Draft 2, was postponed to the next Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development meeting on March 10, 2026. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of March 10, 2026. Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow, Assistant Corporation Counsel J. Yoshimoto, and Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell were present in the Hilo Chambers. Chair Kierkiewicz introduced an amendment via Communication 372.192, which intends to preserve the core concepts of the Draft 2045 General Plan while simplifying language to improve clarity, public understanding, implementation feasibility, and accountability. Mr. Darrow opined that the amendment constituted a rewrite of the draft plan and outlined procedural options for advancing the proposal, including referral back to the Planning Department and both Planning Commissions for additional review and public meetings. Additional discussion took place in Executive Session. Ms. Kierkiewicz withdrew her amendment via Communication 372.192, pending further research Bill No. 66, Draft 2, was postponed to April 7, 2026. Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of April 7, 2026. Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen and Long -Range Planning Program Manager Bethany Morrison were present in Hilo Chambers. Discussions focused on the process for forwarding the contents of Communication 372.192, which was introduced by Ms. Kierkiewicz at the previous meeting, to the Planning Director and the Planning Commissions, and the procedural framework governing amendments to the General Plan. Ms. Schoen stated that the County Charter serves as the County's overarching legal authority and supersedes ordinances and Code in the event of a conflict. She noted that the current 2005 General Plan includes an amendment procedure that could serve as a reference point, but that the legislative authority granted to the Council through the Charter prevails over conflicting provisions in Code or ordinance. Ms. Schoen further stated that it is the Committee's responsibility to determine whether proposed changes constitute substantive amendments requiring referral to the Planning Department and Planning Commissions. Ms. Kagiwada reiterated concerns about insufficient representation from the Hilo District in the broader plan development and amendment process because of the absence of a Hilo CDP. Ms. Galimba and Ms. Kimball expressed a preference for advancing and amending a single General Plan draft rather than advancing multiple versions simultaneously. Mr. Inaba concluded the discussion by acknowledging Chair Kierkiewicz's efforts to streamline the General Plan, improving clarity and efficiency in the document's structure. Bill No. 66, Draft 2, was postponed to May 4, 2026. PCPLUED Report No. 10 PCPLUED-10 Page 6 May 6, 2026 Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of May 4, 2026. Vice Chair Michelle M. Galimba assumed the role of Acting Chair. Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen and Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow were present in the Kona Chambers to respond to questions. Ms. Schoen clarified that the General Plan does not transfer or cede County authority to any external entity. Mr. Darrow further confirmed that the plan does not independently mandate zoning changes for private properties, emphasizing that the General Plan functions as a policy - guiding document rather than a regulatory instrument. Ms. Kimball encouraged the Committee to advance the bill in its current form while reserving specific policy refinements for future amendment cycles. Mr. Hustace expressed concern regarding unresolved inaccuracies in land use designation maps. Ms. Schoen advised that the Council retain authority to proceed with substantive amendments and recommended that significant revisions be forwarded to both the Planning Commissions and the Planning Director for their review and input. Mr. Inaba stated his intent to collaborate with Chair Kierkiewicz on future amendments establishing clearer parameters within County Code for the General Plan review and update process. Chair Kierkiewicz closed the discussion by thanking members of the public for their ongoing engagement. She also expressed opposition to the bill as drafted, citing concerns regarding implementation capacity and the County's ability to effectively operationalize the plan's policies and proposed actions. Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 66, Draft 2, and recommends its passage on first reading. k9 AYES NOES ABS EX GALIMBA X HUSTACE X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X ONISHI X VILLEGAS X Respectfully submitted, POLICY COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, LAND USE, L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR PCPLUED REPORT NO.: 10 ADOPTED: MAY 2 n —�zvcu