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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 003 12/16/2006 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE COMMTTTEE ON PLANNING DATE: December 19, 2006 Re: Comm. No. 19/Resolution No. 17 PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa TIME: 9:00 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 17, reports as follows: Resolution No. 17, transmitted via Communication No. 19 from Pete Hoffmann, Council Chairman, dated December 5, 2006, transmitting the proposed Resolution to Temporarily Delay Council Action on Rezoning Applications in the District of South Kohala Until the South Kohala Community Development Plan is Adopted by Ordianance, or Until January 5, 2008, whichever shall occur first. Communication No. 19 states that Resolution No. 17 is submitted in response to Kohala residents' repeated expressions of frustration with the lack of infrastructure in the form of roads and the resulting traffic congestion, lack of affordable housing, the loss of open space and agriculture, and the perception that rapid urbanization will lead to a loss of community, culture, and place in their district. Resolution No. 17 states that recruitment for the South Kohala Community Development Plan Steering Committee is underway with a deadline of December 18, 2006 and that the CDP process has created an effective outreach program to define community vision and gather public input. Resolution No. 17 also states that a temporary delay on new rezonings in the South Kohala district will allow the community, through a legitimate and deliberate Community Development Planning process, to define how best to solve existing problems and allocate space for new growth. Rezoning applications that will not be affected by the provisions of Resolution No. 17 include, but are not limited to the following: • State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands housing projects in accordance with its December 30, 2002 "Memorandum of Agreement Between the County of Hawaii and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands"; • State Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawai'I ("HCDCH") program; • Public projects involving schools, water and sewer systems, and any other projects that specifically benefit the public's health, safety and welfare; and PC Report No. 3 Communication 19 Resolution 17 Page 2 of 3 • Habitat for Humanities program, elderly housing projects, and homeless shelters. Resolution No. 17 also provides that Council action on rezoning applications occurring in the district of South Kohala be temporarily delayed until the South Kohala Community Development Plan is adopted by ordinance, or until January 5, 2008, whichever shall first occur. At the December 19, 2006 Planning Committee meeting held in Kona, public testimony was presented by Joel Gimpel in support of Resolution No. 17, Ken Melrose in opposition, and J. Curtis Tyler submitted comments relating to affordable housing. Council Member Brenda Ford raised an issue that impacts the public which was that the West Hawaii Today newspaper stated that public testimony for Resolution 16-07 and 17-07 was to be taken at 2:00 p.m. instead of 9:00 a.m. Therefore, Ms. Ford made a motion that when the Planning Committee adjourns in the morning, that it adjourn to reconvene at 4:00 p.m. today at the Sheraton Keauhou to allow for additional testimony from citizens who intend to present testimony at the wrong time specified in the newspaper. During discussion Council Member Ikeda stated that he did not mind adjourning the two Resolutions, but would like to continue with the remaining agenda items. Ms. Ford clarified that only the two Resolutions (16-07 and 17-07) were misstated in the paper. Discussions took place among Committee Members regarding methods of disposing of the resolutions to a later time to accommodate the public who already plan to testify at 2:00 p.m. County Clerk Casey Jarman stated that after research, the most efficient way to do this is by way of a motion to fix the time of adjournment. Ms. Jarman explained that everything on the agenda can still be taken up as if the meeting is going on. When the resolutions come up they can be fully debated but what would happen is, instead of deciding at the end of that particular discussion, a motion will be made to hear and decide the matter at the adjourned meeting later in the afternoon. This is the method Robert's Rules of Order suggests that would address this particular type of problem. Council Member Higa suggested public testimony be taken at 2:00 p.m. so that the public does not have to wait around till 4:00 p.m. to present their testimony. A motion carried to fix the time for adjournment at 2:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. Planning Committee meeting resumed following Finance Committee recess to allow public testimony on Resolutions 16-07 and 17-07. Committee Chair Pilago noted written comments received from Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference and its President, Jacqui Hoover, cautioning the Council regarding unintended consequences and possible negative impacts should such decision-making be deferred. Chair Pilago notes written testimony received from Janice Palma expressing strong support for Resolution No. 16-07 and 17-07. Mr. J. Curtis Tyler presented testimony with suggestion that the second whereas reflect that the General Plan is the "principal" policy document and notjust a major policy document. With PC Report No. 3 Communication 19 Resolution 17 Page 3 of 3 regard to the housing aspect, thinks there should be an exception for private housing when the majority of housing is truly affordable (that is 100% or less of the median income). Chair Pilago notes written testimony from April K. Bean of North Kohala regarding Resolution 17-07 and her support of that effort and initiative. It was moved by Council Member Ford and seconded to postpone discussion on Resolution No. 16-07 and 17-07 to 4:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. Chair Pilago reconvened the Planning Committee meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Keahou Bay Resort & Spa with the motion on the floor on Resolution No. 17-07. Council Chair Hoffmann stated that the same comments expressed during discussions of Resolution No. 16-07 apply to Resolution 17-07. Council Member Brenda Ford stated her support for this resolution as well as Council Member Emily Naeole. Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 16 and recommends its adoption. and nvES NOES a&E Ex Respectfully submitted, FORD X ffiGA X COMMITTEE ON G HOFFMANN X IKEDA X ~ JACOBSON X y- NAEOLE X K. ANGEL PILA ,CHAIR PILAGO X YAGONG X PC REPORT NO. 3 YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: -IA AI ~ A ~nm