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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0070.001 2014-2016Plfc Go ui 0.7o Leslie, Earlanne From: Joel Cohen pcohen8@hawaii. rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2015 8.27 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: Bill 281 Testimony- 2/3 Planning Committee Attachments: Bill 281 testimony to County Council Dec. Leeward Planning Comm. Testimony.docx Attached is my written testimony relating to PDD procedures for Planning Committee discussion at tomorrow's meeting. I am a member of the South Kohala Community Development Plan Action Committee, however my testimony is my own behalf. No reference to being a member of the Committee is mentioned in my testimony. The attachment does not have my signature. I do not have fax capabilities from home. I've made arrangements with Council member wille's office to assist me in making copies, if necessary. Please call me at 769-4490 Mahalo, Joel Cohen Comm.N 70•� Ref. To • G t RaE Dat. FFB January 31, 2015 Testimony relating to County Council Bill 281 County Council Planning Committee February 3, 2015 Joel J. Cohen 67-1292 Pua'ena Street Kamuela HI 96743 Testifying as an individual =. Aloha Chair (lagan and Members of the Planning Committee L� Please consider the following commentary in making your decision regarding Bill 281. In my opinion, Bill 281 is about assuring that the County has a process that encourages open public input and that clearly defines the roles of County staff and decision makers. Public trust and having a system in place that works on behalf of all parties, is critical. Here are some specific thoughts and recommendations: Regarding the PUD review process, I feel that the role of the Planning Director and department staff is best limited to thoroughly reviewing, analyzing, and making recommendations to decision-making bodies, in this case, the Planning Commissions and the County Council. The Planning Department has the professional expertise and historical reference to review the application and provide adequate information for the Commission and Council to make a final decision. I also feel that it is important that the general public has an opportunity to review the Department's analysis and recommendations prior to public meetings. This enables community representatives and other interested people to view all aspects of the application. The Planning Department needs flexibility when reviewing PUD applications. Different circumstances including location, project size, cultural issues, and long- term environmental challenges such as available resources for water supply, wastewater treatment, solid waste, traffic and necessary open space need to be considered to ensure the application is compliant with the County General Plan and local community development plans. Having said this, effective public policy also requires PUD standards to be clearly defined, fairly, and consistently applied. Applications May have different levels of impact. They can be for as small as 2 acre parcels with minimal impact to adjoining properties. Although the opportunity is needed, public input is unlikely. On the other hand, PUD applications have been as large as 500 acres or more. PUDs often effect long term strategic planning and may become political. Unfortunately, special interest groups and the power of money can have undue influence. I believe that public trust in government is now in question. This is evidenced by the results of the recent election, which indicated apathy and lack of confidence in government in general to make impartial decisions. I want to have trust that the County administration, the County Council, and the Commissions make decisions that protect our island's identity and natural resources. Without a truly open review process, however, questions regarding political influence will occur. This leads to a lack of public trust, anger, frustration, and lengthy public testimony which benefits neither the developer nor the County. Public notification of Planning Department hearings is now limited to parcels in very close proximity of the project. Surrounding communities that can be affected need to be made aware of pending applications. Regional issues may include, as previously noted, a host of sensitive environmental, safety and cultural issues. Therefore, it is very important that the County go the extra mile in ensuring that notification of public hearings reach as many of those potentially affected as possible. In closing, I strongly feel that the public policy defined in Bill 281 is in the best interests of all parties. We are blessed to live in a special place. I feel that working together in open discussion, decisions will be made that honor our island's values, protect our natural resources, and recognize the special identity of local communities and the island as a whole. Mahalo for listening, Joel J. Cohen Community Activist