HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPLUED 016 2026-10-06 2024-2026 t 1t
REPORT OF THE POLICY
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING,
LAND USE,AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: October 6, 2026 Re: Comm.No. 866/Bill No. 154
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo,Hawaii 96720
Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, to which was referred
Bill No. 154, reports as follows:
Bill No. 154,transmitted by Council Members Holeka Goro Inaba and Rebecca Villegas via
Communication No. 866, dated April 14, 2026, amends Chapter 25,Articles 1, 5, and 7 of the
Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended),relating to commercial parking lots and
garages.
The bill removes commercial parking lots and garages as a permitted use in the general,village
commercial, industrial-commercial mixed, limited industrial, general industrial, and Downtown
Hilo commercial zoning districts.
Planning,Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of May 4,2026.
Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow was available in the Kona Chambers.
Mr. Inaba explained that the bill responds to predatory paid parking practices while allowing
existing commercial parking operations to continue as nonconforming uses.
Committee Members raised concerns about potential impacts on parking availability,particularly
during public events and in Downtown Hilo. Mr. Darrow confirmed that existing operations
would be grandfathered.
Bill 154 was referred to the Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions and the Planning
Director on May 4, 2026.
On August 24, 2026, Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr.,via Communication
No. 866.3, transmitted favorable recommendations from both Planning Commissions, including
recommended amendments.
Planning,Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of October 6,2026.
Committee Member Inaba proposed an amendment via Communication 866.6,which would
require a use permit for commercial parking lots and garages in resort-zoned districts, ensuring
Planning Commission review. Bill 154 was amended with nine"ayes."
PCPLUED Report No. 16
PCPLUED-16 Page 2 October 6,2026
Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada proposed and amendment via Communication No. 866.5,
which retains commercial parking lots and garages as permitted uses in Downtown Hilo. She
noted that Downtown Hilo does not require off-street parking for new businesses and that
commercial parking facilities may help address parking needs. Bill 154 was further amended
with nine"ayes."
Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development is in accord with
the purpose and intent of Bill No. 154, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends its passage on
first reading
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
GALIMBA x POLICY COMMITTEE ON
HUSTACE x PLANNING,LAND USE,
INABA x AND ECONO C DEVELOPMENT
KAGIWADA X
KANEALII-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
ONISHI X PCPLUED REPORT NO.: 16
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: OCT 2 1 2026