HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWPC 121 08/18/1998 1996-1998 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
DATE: August 18, 1998 RE: COMM. NO. 454.13 /BILL NO. 280
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Parks, to which was refereed Communication No. 454.13, and
attached Bill No. 280, reports as follows:
The purpose of Bill No. 280 is an ordinance amending Chapter 3, of the Hawaii County Mode, by
repealing Article 1 relating to signs, by adding a new Article I relating to signs, and amending Article
2 relating to Kailua Village Signs.
Communication No. 454.13 is from Joe Reynolds, Vice Chair of the Committee on Public Works &
Parks, dated August 6, 1998, transmitting Bill No. 280, which represents the next step forwazd in the
process to improve the sign law.
This process began in September 1997, when the County Council passed Resolution No. 148-97,
requesting that the Department of Public Works, Building Division, the Planning Department, the Office
of the Corporation Counsel and the Legislative Auditor's office conduct a review of Chapter 3, relating
to advertising and signs, of the Hawaii County Code. The Council requested this multi-agency task
force to clarify and address the following areas of concern: defmitions, sign permit and variance process,
enforcement of the sign code, constitutionality of the sign code, continuity between sign regulations set
out in special districts.
After holding numerous interagency meetings, reseazching regulatory approaches of other
municipalities, examining the County's current variance process, receiving public input at meetings
in Waimea, Hilo, Kona and Naalehu, a preliminary draft bill was developed by the task force for
discussion purposes and presented at the Committee on Public Works & Pazks workshops in Kona and
Hilo. Using comments received at these workshops and subsequent agency discussions, Bill No. 280
was formulated and introduced.
According to a "Summary of Changes" submitted by Council Member Reynolds, the following
proposals represent a major clarification or constitutional change to the existing law:
l . Added "signs" to the category of "Temporary Banners."
2. Defined "business establishment."
3. Added new definition of "street."
4. Clarified multifaceted sign requirements.
5. Clarified exempt sign types by eliminating reference to political campaign signs,
charitable and religious signs (content-based).
Committee on Public Works & Parks
August 18, 1998
Page -2-
6. Clarified what signs require permits and in what zoning districts.
7. Required that a permit be kept on the premises.
8. Promoted practice of applying for sign permits in conjunction with building permits.
9. Specified sign permit process, thus, assuring due process.
l0. Increased fees from $5.00 to $25.00, and $100.00 for an afrer-the-fact permit.
l 1. Allowed Council to adopt sign regulations that implement special community design
plans.
12. Changed approval of Kailua Village Design Plan variances to the Planning Director,
not the Planning Commission.
One of the concerns that were discussed in Your Committee was the amount of time given for
community input on the measure. It was explained that Bill No. 280 is the result of numerous hours
of listening to and examining public and agency input. This was to serve as the initial phase of a
multi-phased project. Your Committee felt that this measure in its present form would serve as a
vehicle for the interested public to be involved in future phases of community partnering.
Your Committee is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 280, and recommends it pass
first reading.
la
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted
YAGONG X CO ITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS & PARKS
REYNOLDS X
CHUNG X
LEITHEAD-TODD X DOMINIC YAG
RAY PW&PC R O 121
SANTANGELO X
SMITH X ADOPTED:
ARAKAKI E.O.M. X