HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-15 Leeward Exh C (Public Testimony re Amend Zoning Code - Use Permit) LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
HEARING TRANSCRIPT
OCTOBER 15, 2020
Public testimony regarding the application of PLANNING DIRECTOR INITIATED
AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 25 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE, RELATING TO
USE PERMIT was called to order at 11:24 a.m. via live-stream online meeting, with Chairperson
Nancy Carr Smith presiding.
COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Nancy Carr Smith, Barbara DeFranco, Perry Kealoha,
Max Newberg, Mark Van Pernis, Michael Vitousek and Faith"Faye" Yates
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: J Yoshimoto, Esq. (Counsel for the Commission), Michael Yee
(Planning Director), John Mukai, Esq. (Counsel for the Planning Director), Jeff Darrow
(Planning Program Manager), Alex Roy (Planner), Jessica Andrews (Planner),
Tracie-Lee Camero (Planner), Rachelle Ley (Secretary to the Planning Director), Kim Tanaka
(Secretary to Boards and Commissions) and Noriko Sauer(Leeward Planning Commission
Secretary)
INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR
An ordinance amending Chapter 25 (Zoning Code), Article 2, Division 6 of the Hawaii County
Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), to update the time and revocation requirements for the
Windward Planning Commission and Leeward Planning Commission to act on and revoke a Use
Permit to be consistent with the Planning Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Secretary's Note: "- - -" indicates that there were technical and/or internet difficulties, which made
the conversation inaudible.
CARR SMITH: I believe we are at our last testifier Leslie you win a prize for patience here.
You are going to testify on agenda Item 45 I believe. You can go ahead with your testimony
when you are ready.
COLE-BROOKS: Okay, thank you so much Chair and members of the Commission. I have
learned a lot this morning so there is something to be said for that. So, I'm okay. This is Leslie
Cole-Brooks, I am an attorney in private practice, and I am here testifying just to my own behalf
and I am very concerned about agenda Item 45. Where the "- - - " are change "- - -" I
appreciate you "- - -"wait to get a approved. "- - -" what's going on right now. In several ways,
first of all the fact that times are very uncertain, look at us right now what we are having for the
meeting. I think if"- - -" be looking, they can get themselves a little more leeway than make
decisions rather than speeding up the process.
We don't know if we are going "- - -" shortening the time period is not wise. Also, there's the
fact that as we kind of heard with the other testifiers that now more than ever I've been hearing
from my colleagues and friends that the real estate market is really hot here on the Big Island. I
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think that we are rightfully seen as being safer, as being more friendly, we have more space
around us, we don't have a lot of Covid and the political unrest as well on the Mainland I think is
a big concern. There are fires in California and so on. I mean there is a parade of horribles
going on and I think if anything that the Commission should be expecting to see even more
applications for use permits rather than less.
So, it does not make sense to shorten the time. "- - -" recommend change was to make it so that
a written "- - -" that the person or organization would have to go through a contested case. I
don't think that's fair, I think that if"- - -" because Commission was busy, and they couldn't get
to your application. I think the public should be able to do something just as simple which is to
submit something in writing. Otherwise, you have to do a contested case, someone has to hire
some like me, and I just don't that's fair. I think that the action and the remedy should be you
know fairly similar.
So, thank you so much for your time and patience in your service.
CARR SMITH: Thank you very much appreciate it. Commissioners, any questions? Very good
thank you Leslie, appreciate it.
COLE-BROOKS: Alright, bye bye.
CARR SMITH: Bye, bye.
The public testimony ended at 11:28 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador
Secretary to Boards and Commissions
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