Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 094 09/23/2008 2006-2008REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: September 23, 2008 Re: Comm. 1445Bi11365 PLACE: Councilroom Ben Franklin Building, 2"d Floor 333 Kilauea Avenue Hilo, Hawaii TI1V1E: 2:30 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bi11365, reports as follows: Bill 365, transmitted via Communication 1445 from Mayor Harry Kim, dated September 8, 2008, presents the draft North Kohala Community Development Plan as submitted by the North Kohala Community Development Plan (CDP) Steering Committee. Communication 1445 reports that the Hawaii County Planning Commission, as required by Chapter 4, Sec. 6-4.3(C), Hawaii County Charter, considered the above request and conducted public hearings on August 7, 2008, August 22, 2008, and September 4, 2008, to review the draft North Kohala Community Development Plan. The Planning Team for the North Kohala CDP consisted of the Consultant, Townscape, Inc., the County of Hawaii Planning Department, the Office of the Mayor, and the Department of Research and Development. Over the past three years, a number of activities oriented around the Community Readiness Project and the North Kohala CDP were provided to inform the North Kohala community about the CDP program, develop capacity in the district, and gathering input from community members. Community meetings were held on August 8, 2007, January 12, 2008 and April 16, 2008. Approximately 400+ people attended these meetings. Focus Groups were formed to address each of four priority issues: Growth Management, Public Access, Affordable Housing, and Infrastructure. In excess of twenty Focus Group meetings were held between October, 2007 and May, 2008. The Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council for adoption by ordinance of the North Kohala Community Development Plan, together with a proposal to clarify language for six (6) proposed points and two (2) corrections. Communication 1349 notes that on June 12, 2008 the North Kohala CDP Steering Committee voted unanimously to send the Pre-final Draft to the Hawaii County Planning Commission, however, at a subsequent meeting of the Steering Committee held on July 9, 2008, several members noted that corrections to the North Kohala CDP were necessary to accurately reflect decisions that were previously voted upon. PC Report No. 94 Communication 1445 Bi11365 Page 2 of 3 The Planning Director recommended that the Planning Commission send a favorable recommendationto the Hawaii County Council, including the corrections proposed and submitted by the North Kohala CDP Steering Committee. At the September 23, 2008 Committee on Planning meeting, Chris Yuen recognized the Steering Committee Chair Fern White, Consultant Bruce Tsuchida, president of Townscape, Inc., and Alan Salavea. Fern White explained what the Steering Committee referred to as the four "Ps" of the North Kohala CDP process: the "preparation," the "process," the "participation," the "product," and the "promise." Ms. White stated that the end product is a plan that will guide decision-makers and be an informative document for all citizens which can be utilized as a voice to maintain a way of life in the community. Planning Director Yuen explained that the changes proposed by the Steering Committee, the Planning Commission and the Fire Department. Mr. Yuen explained that the corrections suggested by the Steering Committee on pages 20 and 84 have already been approved by the Steering Committee but were not included in the bound copy of the North Kona CDP document. With respect to the Planning Commission's proposed amendments on page 23, after discussions with Corporation Counsel and because Corporation Counsel is not entirely sure that the proposed amendment regarding Key Policies on page 23 will be considered non-substantive, the Director is not recommending that change. However, Mr. Yuen would request that the proposed amendment to Action Steps regarding actions of the Cultural Resources Commission located on page 37 be made as Corporation Counsel agrees this change is non-substantive. Following further discussions and clarifications regarding proposed non-substantive amendments, it was determined and agreed that prior to first reading before the Council, Director Yuen would prepare and transmit the proposed non-substantive amendments. Fern White confirmed the Steering Committee's understanding and concurrence with the proposed amendments. Council Chair Hoffmann expressed his appreciation for the great work accomplished by the Steering Committee and stated that he would be agreeable of moving the bill forward and entertain these amendments at first reading. Councilmember Naeole expressed her feelings with respect to the Puna CDP when she, the Planning Director and Councilmember Yoshimoto proposed amendments and were voted down. Her concern was that she felt that she was shut down with respect to amending the Puna CDP, yet now it appears that Councilmembers are in favor of amending the North Kohala CDP. Councilmember Yagong stated he in fact was supportive of Ms. Naeole's amendments to the Puna CDP, however what he was not in support of was sending the Puna CDP back to the Steering Committee and. the Planning Commission for further deliberations. Mr. Yagong expressed the importance of explaining what transpired. to ensure that the people understood his position. PC Report No. 94 Communication 1445 Bill 365 Page 3 of 3 Planning Committee Chair Pilago also noted the fact that when the Puna CDP came before the Council, the Puna CDP Steering Committee asked that the Council not entertain the proposed amendments, and Mr. Pilago stated he also wanted to make that clarification. Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bi11365 and recommends it pass first reading. and AYES NOES A&E EX FORD X HIGA X HOFFMANN X II~DA X JACOBSON X NAEOLE X PII.AGO X YAGONG X YOSHIMOTO X Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON PL G ~~~ . K. ANGEL PILAG , CHAIIt 6` PC REPORT NO.~ 94 ADOPTED: OCR u 0 (~~Q