HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-05 General Plan Public Comment Meetings -- press release
Harry Kim Michael Yee
Mayor Director
Wil Okabe Duane Kanuha
Deputy Director
Managing Director
East Hawai‘i Office
West Hawai‘i Office
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
County of Hawai‘i
Phone (808) 961-8288
Phone (808) 323-4770
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Fax (808) 961-8742
Fax (808) 327-3563
PRESS RELEASE – DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
August 5, 2019
Hawai'i County Planning Department to Release General Plan,
Meetings Set for Public Comment
The County of Hawai‘i Planning Department will release a draft of the updated Hawai‘i
County General Plan on August 9, 2019, which will govern land use and development
on Hawai'i Island for the next 25 years.
The County’s General Plan is the policy document that guides long-term development,
including local plans, zoning ordinances, and infrastructure projects on Hawai‘i Island.
The General Plan is given a comprehensive review every 10 years. The last
comprehensive review of the General Plan was in 2005.
This update of the General Plan incorporates emerging issues that were not addressed
in the 2005 General Plan, such as climate change, healthy communities, integrated
water resource management, renewable energy, food security, equitable housing, and a
place-based economy.
According to Planning Director Michael Yee, “This plan is the first County plan to focus
on sustainability with specific goals of self-sufficiency, social equity, economic mobility,
and community well-being. These concepts are woven throughout the plan.”
Yee added, “The plan incorporates the concepts of Urban Growth Areas, which will be
used to prioritize infrastructure investment. This shifts the approach for rural areas, so
they provide a transition between our productive agricultural lands and our urban uses.”
To update the General Plan, the Planning Department conducted a comprehensive
review of the existing 2005 General Plan and Community Development Plans (CDPs)
from each of the districts around the Island. Throughout the process, County agencies,
CDP Action/Steering Committees and the general public have been asked for input.
Following release of the Draft General Plan, the Planning Department will host
community events around the island during the month of August to solicit public
comments. The public can drop into any of the events between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
www.hiplanningdept.com Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov
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August 10 – at the Waimea Middle School Gym; 67-1229 Māmalahoa
Hwy, Waimea.
August 11 – at the Aupuni Center in Hilo; 101 Pauahi St., Suite 1.
August 24 – at the West Hawai'i Civic Center Council Chambers in Kona;
74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy, Building A.
August 25 – at the Nā‘ālehu Community Center; 95-5635 Māmalahoa
Hwy.
The Planning Department will also be holding other smaller events in September
focused on specific topics. “We encourage residents to review the draft plan and share
their thoughts. The public comment period will close on September 30, 2019. The
public can review the General Plan online at http://www.hiplanningdept.com/general-
plan/
After providing the opportunity for public feedback, the Planning Director will submit the
revised Draft General Plan to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions for
review, and then submit it to the County Council for final review and adoption.
For more information contact the County of Hawai`i Planning Department, 101 Pauahi
Street, Suite 3; Hilo, HI 96720. Phone: (808) 961-8288. Email:
generalplan@hawaiicounty.gov. Those interested in keeping current with upcoming
events, progress, and process can sign up for the Department’s eNews at
http://www.hiplanningdept.com/general-plan/connect/.