HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 048 05/01/2012 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: May 1, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 670/Bill No. 230
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Comm. No. 670/Bill No. 230, reports as
follows:
Bill No. 230, transmitted by Mayor William P. Kenoi, via Communication No. 670, dated
April 11, 2012, is a Planning Director initiated ordinance amending the County of Hawai`i
General Plan as adopted by Ordinance No. 05-25 and amended by Ordinance No. 06-153 by
amending map 15 of the Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) map by changing the
Land Use Designation from Urban Expansion to Extensive Agriculture, Low Density Urban,
Medium Density Urban and from Low Density Urban to Medium Density Urban and Urban
Expansion for Pahoa Village and the immediately surrounding Pahoa, Puna Island of Hawai`i.
Also enclosed was a favorable recommendation from the Windward Planning Commission Chair
Zendo Kern and Leeward Planning Commission Chair Geraldine Giffin.
Council Member Blas stated that there is tremendous growth in his district and asked all Council
Members for their support, and that Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan Steering Committee
Members Robin Stetson and Jon Olson were present in the Pahoa office to answer questions.
Council Member Yagong expressed the drastic change to the Pahoa area zoning and asked how
the community felt about it. Mr. Olson responded stating that this was an outgrowth of the Puna
Community Development Plan, which had lots of community input. He also added that the only
area of concern were areas around the school complex and the road leading to Kapaho.
Council Member Yagong verified that they were working with Council Member Blas and
Planning Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd to amend the bill to address those areas of
concerns. Council Member Ford confirmed the locations of concern to be in the vicinity of the
Pahoa school complex and roads leading towards Kapoho.
Council Member Pilago also expressed his concern about this radical change to the Pahoa area.
He stated that changes to the LUPAG map would also affect the General Plan and could open up
the area for development. He stated that he is apprehensive about that but would support the bill.
Council Member Ikeda stated that this would be a great opportunity for the people of Puna and
that the Steering Committee can assist in coordinating the vision.
PC Rept. No.: 48
PC-48 Page 2 May 1, 2012
Committee Chair Hoffmann inquired if the Puna Community Development Plan Action
Committee approved this bill. Mr. Olson replied that the concept was well received during the
community meetings regarding the Puna Community Development Plan.
For informational purposes, Council Members Ford and Smart voted "kanalua"twice.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 230, and
recommends its passage on first reading.
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AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
HOFFMANN X -�
IKEDA X
ONISHI X te,,
PILAGO X I m
SMART X PETE HOFFMANN, H A R
YAGONG x PC REPOR Oh 4,
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: MAY 1 5 2Lt', 2