HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 010 02/15/2005 2004-2006 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: February 15, 2005 Re: Comm. No. 70 /Bill No. 23
PLACE: Council Chambers
TIME: 130 p.m.
Council Chair Safarik and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 23 reports as follows:
Bill No. 23, transmitted by Councilmember Bob Jacobson, via Communication No. 70, dated
January 10, 2005, amends Chapter 14, Hawaii County Code 1983 (1995 Edition), by adding a
new article to provide enhanced public notice of proposed development.
The purpose of Bill No. 23 is to enhance public participation in government decision making.
Enhanced public participation can lead to better decision making. It can also better ensure that
customary and traditional practices are protected.
Six individuals submitted testimony on Bill 23. All were in support of passage of the bill.
Bill No. 23 would require developers to post signs on the property proposed for development.
Your Committee heard the Planning Director explain that currently some land use approvals do
not require any public notification at all. Other land use approvals may require a legal notice in
the newspaper and mailing notice to neighboring landowners. Often, members of the public
complain about a development after it has been approved. Bill 23 ensures broader public
notification of proposed development prior to approval.
The Hawaii County Charter requires Planning Commission review of amendments to the
planning and subdivision ordinances. Section 25-2-43(b) spells out a procedure for amending
the zoning code. While it is debatable whether Bill No. 23 actually amends these codes, Your
Committee voted to forward Bill No. 23 to the Planning Commission for review in order to
obtain the commission's recommendation prior to first reading of the bill by the Council.
Your Committee also voted to amend Bill No. 23 by replacing it with Draft 2. Committee
members concerns with the bill included: ensuring that the signs are weatherproof; questioning
whether it would be better to have one provision in Chapter 14, or whether to amend the zoning,
subdivision and grading ordinances individually; and whether to make the signs themselves
uniform and attractive.
Communication 70
Bill 23
Page 2
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 23, Draft 2, and
recommends it pass first reading after receiving the comments of the Planning Commission or in
120 days, whichever comes first.
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AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
ARAKAKI X
HIGA X MMIT ~E O NING
HOFFMANN R
HOLSCHUH R
IKEDA X ~te Ho - m C fir
ISBELL X
JACOBSON X K. ige i g i ~
PILAGO R
SAFARIK X PC REPORT NO. 10
ADOPTED: