HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0042.003 2002-2004
TO: County Council
FROM: Elizabeth W. Meyerson
A. Lee Meyerson r RECElVEO
DATE: March 18, 2003 ~1me•----°-~_~--•-By...__..._..._---...
(kite.-..-._.--. f.-v.~=
)».._..."r^ ; _
County Coundt,
RE: Bill 280 -Draft 3
We would like to testify in favor of Bill 280 -Draft 3, an ordinance amending
Chapter 3, of the Hawaii County Code. The existing code relating to signs needs
modification. There now exists, on the island, a proliferation of illegal signs which
the current code, evidently, cannot deal with. Part of the reason for this is that
the current code is both difficult to understand and even more difficult to enforce.
On top of this, there are sections that we feel are unfair to businesses in certain
areas.
The revision, which is being proposed by Council Member Tyler, is based on a
proposed revision initially advanced by Council Member Reynolds. Both Council
Members have realized that a revision is necessary. This proposal appears to
rearrange the code so that it reads in a more logical manner, thus making it more
easily understood, by those to whom it would apply.
The revision also proposes sign sizes which are more in line with those that are
actually used on the island, rather than utilizing arbitrary sizes. I! also corrects
an inequity in the current code, which has the signs in the Kailua Industrial
District conforming to the same restrictions as those in Kailua Village, of which it
is a part. While we believe signs in the Kailua Industrial District should not be as
large as those on the rest of the island, we do believe an intermediate size is
appropriate to this business area. This will allow a transition from the restricted
Kailua Village area to the rest of the island.
A major change in the code is the addition of administrative enforcement. The
existing code necessitates legal proceedings for ultimate enforcement. The
revision allows the code to be enforced in the same manner in which the Building
Code is enforced. Essentially, the Building Division of the Department of Public
Works will be authorized to issue citations to violators. Of course, safeguards
are included to prevent abuse of such power, just as in the Building Code.
These changes will provide the County with a much more effective means of
dealing with the problem of illegal sign proliferation. We urge that you approve
this revision.
Comm. No.
File ~N,,o.....~.~ .~i
Ref. T w~ RC
n~ bA@ 18 2003