HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 044 2020/01/07 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: January 7, 2020 Re: Comm. No. 658/Res.No. 432-20
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:31 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 432-20, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 432-20, introduced by Committee Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz and transmitted
via Communication No. 658, dated November 29, 2019, urges the County to establish funding in
fiscal year 2020-2021 for a comprehensive audit and analysis of Chapter 23, Subdivisions, and
Chapter 25, Zoning, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended).
Planning Chair Kierkiewicz explained that the zoning and subdivision codes are outdated and
that previous amendments made to the Code that were meant to help have, in reality, created
issues and inconsistencies. She stated the need for simpler, clearer and more interactive codes,
and pointed out that the last major overhaul of the zoning code took place in 1996.
Chair Kierkiewicz called the audit as "timely" as the General Plan was underway and would help
guide the code refresh. She thanked the Planning Department for their collaboration on the
resolution.
Hawaii County Planning Department Director Michael Yee and Acting Deputy Director
April Surprenant, were invited to testify, echoing the need to update these codes. They explained
the audit was the first step in a comprehensive rewrite that would take approximately four years
to complete.
Council Members Valerie Poindexter, Tim Richards, and Maile David all offered words of
support.
Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder questioned the need for the audits; his concerns
were addressed by Director Yee, who encouraged his support.
Chair Kierkiewicz explained she wanted unanimous support of the Committee so that the
Administration is aware of the Council's priority and can include an appropriation in the
FY2020-2021 Operating Budget.
PC Report No.:44
PC-44 Page 2 January 7,2020
Council Member Sue Lee Loy offered her support and pointed out that the Office of Hawaiian
Affairs (OHA) and Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) may be interested in
participating in the audit, as they have a unique mandate to support the Native Hawaiians.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 432-20,
and recommends its adoption.
cc
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG x
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
EOFF X
KIERKIEWICZ x
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER x
LEE LOY x
POINDEXTER x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.:_ 44
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: JAN �