HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 040 11/08/2005 2004-2006 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DA"f E: November K, 2005 Rc: Comm. No. 492/Bill No. 161
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: I :30 p.m.
Council ('hair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii
Your Committee on Planning, to which was refer'ed Communication No. 492 and attached
Bill 161, reports as tbllows:
Bill No. 161, transmitted by Communication No. 492 from Pat Engelhard, County of Hawaii
Department of Parks and Recreation, dated October 21, 2005 presents an amendment to
Chapter 14, Article 10, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition) Related to
Exceptional Trees.
The purpose of Bill No. 161 is to remove a Quinine Cinchona sp. located at Kalakaua Park
along Waianucnue Avenue, from Section 14-65 "Designated Exceptional Trees", Chapter 14,
Article 10 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition).
Communication No. 492 reports as tollows:
I . On the night of July 17, 2005, a large section of the Quinine Cinchona sp. tree tell and
was cleared away by the Department of Public Works. Early the next evening
(.luly I R, 2005), the rest of the tree fell into Kalakaua Park and across Waianucnue
A vcn ue.
2. After examination, Parks Maintenance Staff determined that due to termites, 90 percent
of the tree trunk had been reduced to a soft cellulose core. Damage was so complete as to
present safety hazards to pedestrians and vehicles nn Waianucnue Avenue and Kinoole
Street Parks Maintenance Staff commenced emergency removal of the tree.
3. The County of Hawaii Arborist Advisory Committee at its regular meeting on
October 20, 2005 agreed with the Department of Parks and Recreation's emergency
action to remove the tree due to the danger to public safety.
4. 'fhe Hawaii Arborist Advisory Committee recommends that this tree be removed from
the list of exceptional trees.
At the November K, 2005 Planning Committee meeting, Council Member Holschuh and
Council Member Safarik inquired as to why this bill came before the Planning Committee
and not the Committee on Parks and Recreation. Co-Chair Hoftimann stated he had the same
yucstion, but the Code states it is a Planning Committee issue. Co-Chair Pilago explained
PC REPORT NO. 40
Communication 492
Qill 161
Page 2
that because the tree was put on an Exceptional Tree list, it fell under the Planning
Committee. The Planning Committee needs to remove the tree off of the Exceptional 'Tree
List in order for Parks and Recreation to be able to do their part.
There were no statements from the public on this matter.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the intent and purpose of Bill No. 161 and
recommends passage of Bill 161 on tirst reading.
and
ours Hors nor: rx Respectfully submitted,
ARAKAKI X
uu:A X COMM[TTEE ON PLANNING
IIOFFM ANN X _ \
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IIOLSCHL'll J{ ja7G~\yI~(~`
,
X
IsReLL X _ _ Pete Hotfman ; Co-Chair ~
JACOBSON ~ ~
PILAGO X
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tiAF'ARIK J~
K. Angel Pil =o, Co-Chair
PC REPORT NO. 40
A~oPTE~_ NOV 2 2 20QS