The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0840.006 2008-2010 William P. Kenoi ..o0-MtvoF,, „,, BJ Leithead Todd Mayor :' \11 . Director _ -►'ri' I' Margaret K. Masunaga =- ` Deputy County of Hawaii PLANNING DEPARTMENT Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 '+ ` _' ■ Phone (808) 961 -8288 • Fax (808) 961 -8742 c--, MEMORANDUM October 26, 2010 TO: Mr. J Yoshimoto, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council FROM: BJ Leithead Todd, Planning Director , f : SUBJECT: Comm. 840 (Res 352 -10) "EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025: A Community -Based Vision and Living Action Plan 5- Year Action Plan Update” (May 2010 DRAFT) Dear Chairperson Yoshimoto and Members of the Council: This is to clarify our previous correspondence dated October 18, 2010 regarding Communication 840 (Res 352 -10) to adopt the EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025: A Community -Based Vision and Living Action Plan 5 -Year Action Plan Update. As you recall, at the August 2, 2010 Committee on Planning, this matter was postponed to allow the Planning Department to meet with landowner and discuss their concerns regarding the 5 -Year Action Plan Update. On September 29 we met with Caleb Yamanaka and a group of landowners /stakeholders where we discussed the attached non- substantive Revisions that were then mutually agreed upon by all parties. In order to save paper, once the EDH 2025: 5 -Year Action Plan Update is adopted by the County Council, the Planning Department will incorporate all revisions to finalize the document for publication. Attachments (16 copies of October 18, 2010 letter and Revisions) SG:ct Coma No. U `. 0 . (Q R Tn. _. Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer r , y NOV 4 21111___ William P. Kenoi � �'�r, BJ Leithead Todd Mayor '7 , Director . S 1 , / • • r: Margaret K. Masunaga =4' De •. • � �.� PAY rr a»' County of Hawa • PLANNING DEPARTMENT Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Phone (808) 961 -8288 • Fax (808) 961 -8742 October 18, 2010 Mr. Donald Ikeda, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council . Committee on Planning Hawai'i County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 SUBJECT: Comm. 840 (Re 352 -10) Proposed Amendments to "EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025: A Community-Based Vision and Living Action Plan 5 -Year Action Plan Update (May 2010 DRAFT) Dear Chairperson Ikeda and Members of the Council Committee on Planning: On August 2, 2010, the Committee on Planning continued the hearing for Communication 840 (Re 352 -10) to adopt the EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025: A Community-Based Vision and Living Action Plan 5 -Year Action Plan Update - May 2010 Draft (EDH 2025: 5 -Year Action Plan Update May 2010 Draft). At that meeting, Council members received testimony as well as a presentation by the Planning Department. Based on public testimony, the hearing was postponed to the first Planning Committee meeting in February of 2011, to enable the Planning Department to meet with a group of landowners to hear their concerns. Due to our progress in meeting with concerned landowners, we request that 1) the Committee on Planning be waived and 2) the EDH 2025: 5 -Year Action Plan Update May 2010 Draft be placed, as soon as possible, preferably, on the November 4 full Council agenda, rather than wait until February 2011. Many community individuals, organizations, and agencies have participated and contributed to the development of the 5 -Year Update and would like to move the adoption process forward. We are pleased to inform you that a meeting was held on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 with concerned landowners and Caleb Yamanaka, as their spokesperson. We have reached an agreement of understanding on specific Strategies and Actions of concem. Mr. Caleb Yamanaka has co- signed this letter in concurrence with our agreements. Attached is a list of the proposed amendments to the EDH 2025: 5 -Year Action Plan Update — • May 2010 DRAFT. These amendments are non - substantive and do not reflect significant Hawai 'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer 1 Mr. Donald Ikeda, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on Planning Hawai'i County Council Page 2 October 18, 2010 changes to the language or intent of the strategy or actions in the May 2010 Draft. In most cases, the language of the strategy or action remained the same, with the addition of "Landowners" as Potential Partners. Although currently, a formal landowner representation organization does not exist, this will ensure that landowners continue to be involved in further implementation of the EDH 2025 Plan. In addition, Downtown Hilo Improvement Association (HDIA), an active Lead Solution Partner in the EDH 2025 Plan and represented at the meeting, was also added to these specific actions. Two (2) VisionKeepers — James Leonard and Tom Goya were also present at the meeting to ensure that the proposed amendments were consistent with the Overarching Vision, Focus Area Vision Statements, Strategies, and the broader community input. Attached are thirteen (13) proposed amendments to the EDH 2025: 5 -Year Action Plan Update (May 2010 Draft). Again, we request that this matter be scheduled with the full Council at your earliest convenience. We continue to ask for your favorable consideration to incorporate the attached proposed amendments into the May 2010 Draft and to move forward with passing a Resolution to adopt the EDH 2025: Community -Based Vision and Living Action Plan 5 -Year Action Plan Update. Sincerely, BOBBY JEAN LEITHEAD TODD Planning Director Concurred Agreement: (fetes / -2a Caleb Ya a, Spokesperson, Date on behalf of the Landowner and Stakeholder Group SG:cs P: \wpwin601SUSAN\EDH Phase 111 Implementation \Council APU _Landowner Next Steps\Landowner Mtgs1Record of Changes_CouncilLtr Dlkeda final.doc Attachment Mr. Donald Ikeda, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on Planning Hawaii County Council Page 3 October 18, 2010 cc: Mr. Caleb Yamanaka, Spokesperson for Landowner and Stakeholder Group Ms. Alice Moon, Executive Director — HDIA Mr. Jeff Melrose — Chair, Planning and Govemment Affairs Committee — HDIA EDH 2025 VisionKeepers Network 1 EDH 2025: A Community -Based Vision and Living Action Plan Proposed Amendments To The EDH 2025: S -Year Action Plan Update May 2010 DRAFT Submittal to the County Council * = New actions in May 2010 Draft Proposed Non - Substantive Amendments to Strategies and Actions (note: deleted language is bracketed with strike through; new language is underscored) All revised language for Actions will be inserted in the Action Plan Matrix upon adoption. 1. Existing Language: Action 1.23: Amend County Code to allow restaurants to have sidewalk seating in designated areas Proposed Amendments: Keep existing language of Action Add under Potential Partners column: Landowners and Hilo Downtown Improvement Association (HDIA) Rationale: Other commercial uses on the public sidewalk will require further discussion and; permit. A comprehensive discussion on permits and type of sidewalk uses can occur when action is initiated. 2. Existing Language: Action 1.32: Demolish derelict buildings and target suitable vacant Tots for mixed use development Proposed Amendments: Revised Language o #Action 1.32: [tisf►] Encourage demolition of derelict buildings and target suitable vacant lots for mixed use development[s] Add under Potential Partners column: Landowners and HDIA Rationale: Landowners concerned with property rights. Existing wording implied building could be demolished by someone other than a landowner. New language focuses on outcome. 1 3. Action 1.64 *: Recognize businesses that adopt Zero Waste goals Action 1.65 *: Identify and Promote "Green" businesses Action 1.66 *: Create an educational kiosk about the impact of plastics on the marine environment Keep existing language of Actions Move from Focus Area 1 to Focus Area 2, 'Strategy 2.4 Reduce disposable waste in Downtown', and renumber as Action 2.45, 2.46, 2.47, respectively Rationale: These 3 Actions were originally included in Focus Area 1: Creating Economic Vitality as a benefit to business owners. However, appropriate to move to Focus Area 2: Preserving Our Environment 4. Action 2.22 *: Protect and restore significant view corridors Revised language for Action 2.22: [ ] Identify significant view corridors Change Action Type column: from Program to Study Add under Potential Partners column: Landowners Rationale: Slight rewording to define a more preliminary first step. 5. Action 2.23: Amend existing building height limitations in the CDH District in the Zoning Code Revised language from November 2005 Version: [ - - _ - ' . _ . _ 1 the CD" Distr i th. Z CocJ^] Establish a committee to review existing building heights in the Zoning Code Add in Potential Partners column: Landowners and HDIA Rationale: Concerned Landowners stated this action hinders revitalization by curtailing residential growth. Existing language does not provide for specific height limits. Replacing with language from the November 2005 Plan will allow further dialogue. 6. Strategy 3.2: Promote implementation of the Downtown Hilo Vision and Living Action Plan through collaborative stakeholder efforts Revised language for Strategy 3.2: Promote implementation of the Downtown Hilo Vision and Living Action Plan through collaborative stakeholder efforts and private - public partnerships Rationale: Important to emphasize "building private - public partnerships ". 2 7. Action 3.21: Develop a Tong -term framework to sustain the Visioning and Implementation process Revised language for Action 3.21: Develop a long -term strategic implementation plan Add under Potential Partners column: All Lead Solution Partners (LSPs) and Potential Partners (PPs) Rationale: New language provides clarity and moves us toward a CDP. 8. Action 4.21: Identify buildings, structures, and sites with historic preservation potential Keep existing language of Action Add under Potential Partners column: Landowners Rationale: Not everyone would want their building to be labeled as 'historic'. Action acknowledges history and value of existing buildings. 9. Action 6.32 *: Amend the CDH District and Plan Approval sections of the Zoning Code to be consistent with the Overarching Vision for 2025 Delete Action from Matrix and move to Parking Lot (Managing Growth) on Page 94 Rationale: The Planning Department initiated this action and submitted proposed amendments to the Planning Commission. Due to opposing testimony it was withdrawn. The 'Parking Lot' (beginning on Page 91 of Plan) is a placeholder for community initiated ideas or actions which require further dialogue, vetting, or criteria conformance to bring more specificity and agreement in order to include in the Action Plan Matrix. 10. Action 6.42: Research options for designating Downtown Hilo as a "historic district" Revised language for Action 6.42: Research and evaluate options for designating Downtown Hilo as a "historic district." Add under Potential Partners column: Landowners and HDIA Rationale: Landowners concerned with mandating a historic district. Intent was information gathering. Adding the word 'evaluate' identifies another step before designating Downtown. 11. Action 6.43: Develop Community Design Guidelines for Downtown Hilo Keep existing language of Action Add under Potential Partners column: Landowners and HDIA Rationale: Landowners concerned with how Design Guidelines will be implemented. This can be addressed when this action moves forward. 3 12. Addition to Potential Partners List on Page 97: Downtown Hilo Landowners This is a comprehensive list of Potential Partners listed in the Action Plan Matrix. 13. Strategy 3.1: Correct wording of strategy on second page to match first page. Corrected wording: Develop and promote ongoing family land youth] - centered activities and programs for all ages. 14. Amendment to Action Plan Quick Reference List on Pages 83 -90: This is a comprehensive list of all the actions in the Action Plan Matrix. The above action amendments and minor corrections to language, including moving actions, would be revised in the Quick Reference List to reflect the changes. 15. Other minor corrections to final document: Typographical errors, amendments to action status (add /delete stars, dots, check marks) due to recent progress of action. Concurred Agreement on Amendments: Qa V /oh a is by Caleb Yaman aka, Spokesperson Date for the Landowner and Stakeholder Group 4