HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0099.016 2002-2004 40,p1Y Oi y,~'
Harry Kim ,i~ ~ Christopher J. Yuen
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Roy R. Takemoto
Deputy Director
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PLANNING DEPARTMENT
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-3043
Aptil 22, 2004 (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
Honorable Leningrad Elarionoff, Chair
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Planning Committee s
Hawaii County Council
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25 Aupuni Street ~ ~
Hilo, HI 96720 z ~ rv
Dear Chair Elarionoff:
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SUBJECT: BILL 231 -RELATING TO SCENIC CORRIDORS ~ ~ ,
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I am writing in response to your letter of March 12, 2004, concerning Bi11231, which
would establish a "Scenic Comdor" program in the County of Hawaii.
Because roadside views are a big part of the beauty of the island, I support a program that
would establish standards for some roadside areas, and hopefully allow the county to tap
into some of the federal funding for such scenic comdors. Bi11231 is meant to authorize
this program in Hawaii County.
Under Bill 231, the actual creation of a scenic comdor would occur in two stages. In the
first stage, the Council or the Planning Director would introduce a resolution to study the
establishment of a scenic comdor. Notice would be given to the affected and
neighboring property owners. If the Council passed the resolution, the Planning
Department would begin a study and prepaze a Corridor Management Plan. The
resolution itself would not create any new regulations or controls on property within the
corridor. At this point, the corridor is only a "proposed" Scenic Corridor. The study
would result in a Corridor Management Plan. This would go to the Planning
Commission and then to the Council for review. If the Council enacted the Corridor
Management Plan by ordinance, the CMP would then function as an overlay district in
the Zoning Code: any regulations in the CMP would supplement or replace those in the
Zoning Code for the affected properties. For example, the CMP could have height limits
or setbacks that varied from the Zoning Code. But the CMP would take effect only if the
Council enacted it by ordinance.
Comm. No. ~
P.ef. To:
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Honorable Leningrad Elarionoff, Chair
Planning Committee
Hawaii County Council
Page 2
Apri122, 2004
Public notice under Bi11231 should be clarified. At the initial stage, when the corridor is
being considered by resolution, it maybe enough to notify all owners of property within
300 feet of the boundaries of the road in question. But notice should be broader when the
CMP is being considered. At that time, we will know the boundaries of the proposed
CMP, and notice should be given to all owners of property within the CMP boundaries
and all those with property within 300' of the proposed CMP boundaries.
I was also asked to comment on the Mazch 4, 20041etter from the Legislative Auditor.
I agree with comments nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16. Re no. 3: the
detailed study should be done after the initiation of the process by resolution, to lead up
to the CMP. Re no. 8, sec. 25-5-63 should be reworded to read: "Within the scenic
corridor all Zoning Code regulations applicable to the zoning district or districts in
question remain in effect unless differing regulations aze contained in the Corridor
Management Plan as adopted by ordinance, in which the Corridor Management Plan shall
apply." Re no. 9, on funding: the Planning Department supports the concept that an
appropriation should accompany the resolution, because it would probably be difficult to
prepare the CMP entirely in-house, but it might unduly limit the Council to require this in
the ordinance. Re no. 15: the term "enabling ordinance" is being used in two senses. In
one sense, Bill 231 is an "enabling ordinance", because it authorizes this program and
sets up the process. But Bill 231 also refers to an ordinance that adopts a specific CMP
as an "enabling ordinance." Re no. 18, which refers to potential issues with utilities: the
utility companies should get notice of the initiation of a scenic comdor, and of the
consideration of a CMP, so that they can give input.
I apologize for the delay in answering this request.
Sincere
CHRISTOPHER J. YU
Planning Director
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Wpwin60/Chris/Scenic Comdor.doc
cc: Ms. Connie Kiriu, Legislative Auditor
Ms. Nancy Pisicchio