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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> DATE: September 18, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 843/Res. No. 303 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 10:30 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning,to which was referred Resolution 303-12, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution 303-12 transmitted by Council Member Brenda J. Ford via Communication No. 843, <br /> dated September 11, 2012, is a Resolution urging the 2013 Hawai`i State Legislature to repeal <br /> Chapter 171C of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and to effectively abolish the Public Land <br /> Development Corporation. <br /> Council Member Ford stated that the Public Land Development Corporation(PLDC) and it's <br /> proposed rules will eliminate County of Hawaii home rule, will nullify County land use laws, <br /> has no provisions for fair share or impact fees, does not protect cultural or environmental issues, <br /> and has no affordable housing definition. She further stated that the State Department of Land <br /> and Natural Resources and the PLDC will have all of the control over State land use issues with <br /> minimum input from the County Planning Department. She confirmed that Senator Josh Green <br /> and Representative Denny Coffmann have stated publicly that they would support a repeal of <br /> Chapter 171C. <br /> Council Member Smart stated that she initially supported the PLDC as she believed it would be <br /> similar to the National Parks and help to increase public enjoyment and access to recreational <br /> areas. She is now concerned that the rules will allow too many shortcuts, such as Environmental <br /> Impact Studies exemptions, and supports Resolution 303-12. <br /> Council Member Pilago expressed his strong support for Resolution 303-12 and stated that he <br /> believes the County of Hawai`i is leading the way by calling for its repeal. He further stated that <br /> the Hawai`i State Association of Counties had tried but failed to bring forward similar <br /> legislation. <br /> Council Member Onishi confirmed that no one from the PLDC or any State Senators or <br /> Representatives were present. <br /> Committee Chair Hoffmann stated that he understands the PLDC concept but the rules are as <br /> devastating as could be feared in a worse case scenario; and he was unsure what generated this <br /> legislation. He urged the public to utilize the upcoming candidate forums to ask candidates <br /> running for office their views on the PLDC, including the Mayoral candidates, who he believes <br /> PC Rept.No. 65: <br />