HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 069 02/05/2008 2006-2008 ~ , . .
REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: February 5, 2008 Re: Comm. No. 945/Resolution No. 499-OS
PLACE: Councilroom
Ben Franklin Building
333 Kilauea Avenue, 2"d Floor
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 499-08, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 499-08, transmitted via Communication No. 945 from Council Member Dominic
Yagong, dated January 18, 2008, transmitting a Resolution encouraging the commercial
Eucalyptus Forestry Industry and the Department of Land and Natural Resources to work
together to promote better management practices by implementing setbacks and/or buffer zones
where eucalyptus trees border residential homes, State highways, and County roads.
Resolution No. 499-08 states that due to the proximity of the highly-combustible eucalyptus trees
and maintenance of falling leaves and branches, homeowners have expressed concerns relating
to the threat of forest fires and safe exit of their homes through County roadways during a forest
fire emergency. It further states that these concerns could be mitigated if residential homes,
State highways and County roadways aze buffered by implementation of a 120-foot setback from
property lines and roadways during reforestation.
Resolution No. 499-08 also notes that the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division
of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) encourages Best Management Practices through its Forest
Stewardship program and that all Forest Stewardship Program participants must adhere to these
practices to prevent harm and damage to people and property. Resolution No. 499-08
recommends that the commercial eucalyptus forestry industry work with DOFAW to complete a
reforestation plan that delineates specific setbacks and/or buffer zones of 120 feet from
residential homes, State highways and County roadways.
At the February 5, 2008 Planning Committee meeting, Council Member Yagong recalled that at
the start of the industry many community discussions were conducted and that he was happy to
see that ten years later, community awareness meetings among the industry and Kamehameha
Schools Bishop Estate have proved promising. Mr. Yagong stated he felt that bringing forwazd a
Resolution as opposed to an Ordinance provides the opportunity for working together to
determine and develop azeas that should require setbacks. He also felt that if this measure came
forward as an ordinance, it may result with cutting trees in azeas we didn't want it to happen
preferred not to end up with unintended consequences.
PC Report No. 69
COmmnnlCation 945
Resolution 499-08
Page 2 of 2
Council Member Ikeda agreed with the intent of the resolution however expressed concern
whether the 120-foot buffer may be inadequate or might be too much. Mr. Yagong recalled
discussions between the industry and the State in which a decision was reached that
determination of setbacks be left up to the industry and the State. Mr. Yagong concluded that he
hoped the resolution would bring the issue of setbacks back to the forefront and that hopefully
DOFAW would address setbacks "island-wide."
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 499-08
and recommends its adoption.
and
nYES NOES A&E Ex Respectfully submitted,
FORD X
HIGH X COMIvIITTEE ON PLANNING
HOFFMANN X
IKEDA X
JACOBSON X
NAEOLE X K. ANGEL PILA ,CHAIR
PII.AGO X
YAGONG X PC REPORT NO. 69
Yosxrnzoro X AnoPTEn: FEB ~ 1 7nnA
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