HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 065 09/18/2012 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: September 18, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 843/Res. No. 303
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Planning,to which was referred Resolution 303-12, reports as follows:
Resolution 303-12 transmitted by Council Member Brenda J. Ford via Communication No. 843,
dated September 11, 2012, is a Resolution urging the 2013 Hawai`i State Legislature to repeal
Chapter 171C of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and to effectively abolish the Public Land
Development Corporation.
Council Member Ford stated that the Public Land Development Corporation(PLDC) and it's
proposed rules will eliminate County of Hawaii home rule, will nullify County land use laws,
has no provisions for fair share or impact fees, does not protect cultural or environmental issues,
and has no affordable housing definition. She further stated that the State Department of Land
and Natural Resources and the PLDC will have all of the control over State land use issues with
minimum input from the County Planning Department. She confirmed that Senator Josh Green
and Representative Denny Coffmann have stated publicly that they would support a repeal of
Chapter 171C.
Council Member Smart stated that she initially supported the PLDC as she believed it would be
similar to the National Parks and help to increase public enjoyment and access to recreational
areas. She is now concerned that the rules will allow too many shortcuts, such as Environmental
Impact Studies exemptions, and supports Resolution 303-12.
Council Member Pilago expressed his strong support for Resolution 303-12 and stated that he
believes the County of Hawai`i is leading the way by calling for its repeal. He further stated that
the Hawai`i State Association of Counties had tried but failed to bring forward similar
legislation.
Council Member Onishi confirmed that no one from the PLDC or any State Senators or
Representatives were present.
Committee Chair Hoffmann stated that he understands the PLDC concept but the rules are as
devastating as could be feared in a worse case scenario; and he was unsure what generated this
legislation. He urged the public to utilize the upcoming candidate forums to ask candidates
running for office their views on the PLDC, including the Mayoral candidates, who he believes
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