HomeMy WebLinkAboutINDIVIDUAL COMMENT EMAIL - 128776Mori, Ashley
From:
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2019 10:00 AM
To: General Plan
Cc:Yee, Michael
Subject: Comments on Draft 2040 GP
Attachments: Comments of draft 2040 GP KM 10282019.pdf
Good morning April, Bethany and Kamu,
As promised, here are my written comments on the draft GP. I look forward to continued participation in 1 L
A eupcomingongoingreview. Aloha,
OD
I 287 6
1
October 25, 2019
To: Planning Dept., Long Range Planning Division
Subject: Comments on Draft General Plan 2040
Thank you for this opportunity to provide comments on the Draft GP. I have
participated in a couple speak outs and focus topic work sessions and wish
to summarize the comments provided there.
The GP is the policy document to provide the Vision of our future, the
desired outcome, and the GP should seek to ENABLE that outcome not
create obstacles to its realization or to grow the size and policy reach of
government. I believe as drafted the GP provides a fuzzy picture of the
desired future and a convoluted overreach of a scattered mix of policy,
standards and regulations with too many sticks and not enough carrots. I
perceive that this will actually hold back implementation of the desired
outcomes and lead to growth following a path of least resistance onto
Agricultural lands, which is counterproductive to the goals. A major re-write
is necessary and careful consideration warranted.
Please evaluate each and every use of the words "shall", "require" and
ensure". They create significant obligations and financial commitments by
the County that I do not believe are realistically attainable or sustainable. A
prime example is in Policy 578 wherein is the proposal to limit growth within
the SMA. In Kona and Kohala, that SMA line is at Queen K and Kuakini,
below which major infrastructure exists and growth has been directed by
the Kona CDP.
The concept of Rural should be more fully defined and then encouraged,
since outside a couple of the island's more urban areas like Kailua and
Hilo, the inherent character of the Island of Hawaii is Rural. Methodologies
for enhancing and reinforcing that Rural character should be incorporated
to reinforce our existing Villages and small towns. I do not think Rural is
concentric" around Urban centers, but rather expanding the edges of our
existing small towns. Some modest density and low impact uses should be
encouraged, perhaps allowing 4 plex density and small-scale visitor
accommodations- Inns, B & B that reinforce the economic viability of our
existing rural communities.
The concept of Urban Service Areas, previously Infrastructure Preferred
Areas, is appropriate, if we are to direct and afford future growth. But, the
mapping needs much attention and a matching with desired growth areas.
This was tried with marginal success in the Kona CDP when desired
growth opportunity areas transitioned to urban style transit-oriented
development nodes. If we identify where we can afford to grow, we can
decide how to fund it and who the partners are to help realize the desired
outcomes. Water is the true limitation on growth, who has access to it and
where it can be delivered. DWS needs to be a key participant in this
evaluation and become an active participant in developing new source
capacity. Roads can follow to accommodate. Wastewater treatment for
critical areas, like along the shoreline, becomes a limiting factor as well.
The County is correct to be concerned about managing sensitive resources
but should not be proposing to take the lead on projects like cultural sites,
water quality or anchialine ponds which are statutorily in the purview of
State agencies and resources. Rather, the County should seek better ways
to collaborate and cooperate to more efficiently manage the process of
protecting sensitive resources.
IF Sea Level Rise is to be a primary consideration, then it should be overtly
implemented in policy for land use and infrastructure, e.g.: like along Alii
Drive; for Kailua and Hilo Redevelopment; and, what retrofit actions are
appropriate- like mauka makai connectors such as Lako Street extension
and alternative lateral access routes outside its reach like Keauhou to
Kahului parkway corridor.
The GP is a long-range policy plan and the inclusion of specific standards
therein is a mistake which is more appropriately dealt with in zoning and
other codes. The GP should not be proposing to get the County into new
business like a native plant nursery but rather to encourage private sector
to take the risks and rewards.
The new Land Use Maps need LOTS of work. The maps should start by
upholding the goals and visions of the CDPs already adopted. The Urban
Growth Boundary and Urban Service Areas need to be further developed
and Rural areas better defined. Elimination of the Urban Expansion
designation, replacing it with Low Density Urban, is a BIG mistake, that
displays sprawl where it is`not desired or appropriate! The policy 572 on no
use of SLU Conservation lands is also a mistake, given the history of its
creation as one of the catch all designations after Urban and Rural were
designated in its initial creation. Future use within the SLU Ag and
Conservation designated areas within the Urban Growth Boundary, and
particularly when also within Urban Service Areas, should be seriously
considered and supported where sensitive resources are appropriately
accommodated. Why is Light Industrial being extended into Kainaliu-
Honalo, policy 529, and not listed in Kaloko-Honokohau or Kailua where it
exists today? There is so much more to get right here, so much re-work to
do.
Lastly, the greatest missed opportunity is in the Actions not creating the
much needed tools to effectively implement the desired transfer of
development rights and Eco System credits or of creating the much needed
financing tools of Tax Increment Financing, Community Facility District and
Impact Fees which are used so effectively in other jurisdictions.
This GP update is the opportunity to get the future right and much needs to
be done to it to enable a bright future. I look forward to seeing refinements
of the Draft and to continuing to be a participant in that effort.
Aloha,