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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-21 KCDP Minutes DraftMitchell D. Roth Mayor Lee E. Lord Managing Director Zendo Kern Director Jeffrey W. Darrow Deputy Director County of Hawai‘i PLANNING DEPARTMENT KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742 Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Page 1 Tuesday, February 21, 2023 1 DRAFT Meeting Minutes 2 CALL TO ORDER 3 This meeting was attended by members of all Community Development Plan (CDP) Action 4 Committees (AC) in the County of Hawaiʻi. Long-Range Planner, Heather Bartlett serving as a 5 non-voting Chairperson for the island-wide convening of CDP ACs, called the Kona Community 6 Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) to order at 5:00 P.M. Due to provisions set by 7 Sunshine Law, this meeting was held via the Zoom interactive video platform with one on-site 8 location at the Aupuni Center Conference Room. 9 ROLL CALL 10 Action Committee Members Present: Marisa Bankston, David Huerta, Kari Kimura, Roselyn 11 Molina, Shane Palacat-Nelsen, Janice Palma-Glennie, Charles Young. 12 Planning Department Staff: Zendo Kern (Planning Director); April Surprenant, Heather Bartlett, 13 Kim Tanaka, and Courtney Vincent (Long Range Planners) 14 Members of the public attended the meeting via Zoom. The meeting was also available for 15 synchronous viewing via the COH Planning Department YouTube Livestream. The livestream is 16 available at Island-Wide Action Committee Meeting February 21, 2023 - YouTube. 17 PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: 18 Five (5) members of the public provided oral testimony. 19 1. Community member Cory Harden, representing herself, provided testimony with regard 20 to Sunshine Law and the Planning Department’s lack of staff. She provided two 21 suggestions to all Action Committees, the first that they request a formal opinion from 22 Corporation Counsel on Sunshine Law, and the second to reason that the Planning 23 Department cannot fulfill its obligations to the ACs due to lack of staff. Ms. Harden 24 explained that AC members have been told that no more than two members are allowed 25 to go to the same community meetings outside of an Action Committee meeting or 26 discuss topics that may become subject at a future Action Committee meeting. She 27 expressed that people have a constitutional right to freedom of speech and assembly and 28 stated that other people in government bodies attend various meetings, but make it 29 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 2 known they are in attendance representing themselves only. She noted that if 30 Corporation Council is sticking to this strict interpretation of Sunshine Law, then people 31 should seek to amend it. Ms. Harden also informed that it is required by law for the 32 Planning Department to administer support to the ACs and questioned the legality of the 33 department providing support in a way that the ACs cannot fulfill their legal obligation. 34 She suggested that the ACs inform Corporation Counsel of this issue so they can help 35 Planning find a solution. Ms. Harden hoped that the original intent for the ACs as strong 36 advocates for the community could be fulfilled. 37 Note: Information about the State Sunshine Law can be found on the Office of Information 38 Practices website at the following link: https://oip.hawaii.gov/laws-rules-opinions/sunshine-law/ 39 2. Community member Rebecca Melendez, representing herself and those who signed her 40 petition to “Help Prioritize Big Island Homes to Keep Safe Infrastructure,” provided 41 testimony on how Kona’s infrastructure cannot support high population growth. She 42 expressed concern for the growing amount of traffic, parking issues, and development on 43 the island. She informed that on her petition, there is a photo of an ambulance that is 44 unable to make it through Kona traffic on a Wednesday at 3PM. Ms. Melendez 45 questioned if reports were being done on traffic, population growth, and tsunami 46 evacuation before approving new developments. She explained that her petition 47 emphasizes the need for a stipulation for the local people to be placed in newly built 48 homes before newcomers. She also requested that more notice of department meetings 49 be given prior to the date of the meeting as she would like to get the word out and meet 50 testimony deadlines. 51 3. Community member Chuck Flaherty, representing the Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Island Group, 52 provided testimony regarding the current state of the CDP ACs. He referenced a letter 53 from the Planning Department Director dated August 18, 2022, that was sent to inform 54 all ACs of the department’s staffing issues. He also expressed that County laws related to 55 the CDPs and ACs are vague and subject to various interpretation which has caused 56 confusion and disfranchisement for the community and County of Hawaiʻi employees. 57 Mr. Flaherty expressed that not providing staffing for the CDP ACs is a violation of the 58 Kona CDP which is a law, and it is impossible for the ACs to perform their intended duties 59 on a strictly volunteer basis. Mr. Flaherty proposed possible solutions, some of which 60 included amending the CDPs to coincide with organizational structure of the General 61 Plan, amending the County Code to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the ACs, and 62 having the Planning Department and other County agencies draft and pass laws requiring 63 sufficient funding and administrative support. 64 4. Community Member Indy Rishi Singh, representing Ono Seeds, testified and provided 65 information regarding his non-profit organization. Ono Seeds, located in Hakalau, focuses 66 on saving local, indigenous, and native seeds. Mr. Singh informed that they host many 67 educational events for community that are centered around natural and indigenous 68 farming and indigenous medicine. He encouraged everyone to explore more 69 collaborative spaces, to bring more aloha in the ways they listened to one another, and 70 to engage in others’ ideas to find solutions in fun ways rather than with antagonism and 71 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 3 anger. Mr. Singh provided information about the Civic Action for Intentional Communities 72 event, to be held at the Seaview Lawn on Thursday, February 23, 2023. He informed that 73 the event would be focused on strengthening local relationships, building solidarity, and 74 bolstering farming. He noted that it would be a good space to collaborate and find 75 solutions to proactively grow healthy food here to ensure food security for the people. 76 Mr. Singh encouraged everyone to participate with more hope from all different 77 perspectives and expressed his belief that they all could find solutions for the island that 78 served everyone. 79 5. Community member John Winter, representing the North Kohala Advisory Group, 80 testified and provided information on the differences between the North Kohala Advisory 81 Group and the ACs. He explained that the North Kohala CDP AC dissolved in 2021 in part 82 due to dissatisfaction with the rules and procedures guiding County boards and 83 commissions. He also explained how members of the community took a different 84 approach to continue efforts to implement the North Kohala CDP, thus creating the 85 North Kohala Advisory Group. Mr. Winter informed that their group consists of 9 86 members who are selected by the community with 2-year terms, only allowed to be 87 renewed once. He also informed that they are much less formal, not subject to Sunshine 88 Law, are able to communicate between meetings, and strive to serve the community and 89 allow all who attend meetings to speak on any issue under discussion. Mr. Winter stated 90 that the group is presently addressing the need to update the North Kohala CDP and 91 have formed several focus groups with the intention to uphold community networks and 92 government participation. 93 BUSINESS: 94 1. Planning and Action Committee Program Update: 95 Planning Director Zendo Kern provided an update on Planning Department staff, projects, 96 activities, and a 2023 roadmap. He expressed the importance of having a “two-way 97 street” when it comes to government with regard to accountability and open 98 communication. Director Kern noted, although the department currently has numerous 99 vacancies, solution-based elements have been incorporated to ensure work continues to 100 be done efficiently and effectively. He shared that the letter sent out to all ACs was 101 meant to provide transparency and communicate that the department would not be 102 able to provide the same level of support while they work to replace staff. He felt it 103 would be preferable to share those challenges openly to find collaborative solutions. 104 Director Kern informed that the Planning Department’s Electronic Processing and 105 Information Center (EPIC) has been an effective tool for moving and stabilizing workloads 106 digitally. He also said that the department is working to digitize files. 107 Project updates included: 108 The Climate Action Plan - Director Kern informed that the Planning Department is 109 working in partnership with Research & Development to create an integrated Climate 110 Action Plan. The document would aim to identify targets, action steps, and funding for 111 Hawai’i County operations to reach climate mitigation, adapt goals, and support 112 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 4 community level action to create resiliency. He noted that this would be a living 113 document, attached to the General Plan, which would constantly evolve, grow, and build 114 as climate change continues. 115 Science-Based Shoreline Setbacks - Director Kern informed that three different criteria 116 were being looked at: one for steep pali, one for regular setbacks, and one for areas 117 where sea level rise would occur. He also informed that the Planning Department was 118 working with the University of Hawaii to develop a menu of those three elements, to be 119 used when applied to property. He noted that the project would be presented to the 120 public, within the next six to seven months, to get feedback and continue work towards 121 bringing something forward that works for Hawaii Island. 122 Ohana or Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) legislation - Director Kern informed that this 123 initiative seeks to reduce barriers on the creation of Ohanas or ADUs for long term 124 rentals. 125 The General Plan (GP) - Director Kern provided an update on the General Plan 126 Comprehensive Review. He explained the goal of constructing a clear and concise 127 document that moves the island, community, and uniqueness in the right direction. 128 Director Kern informed that through the drafting process, the department is lifting up 129 important elements of the CDPs into the GP. The plan incorporates policies to focus 130 growth within the urban core, encourage the productive use of agricultural land, utilize 131 rural districts, and incorporates aspirations, climate change, and economic drivers. He 132 noted the goal of the GP to direct the County on critical decision points or critical actions 133 that should be taken. He expressed the need to strategically maintain and construct 134 infrastructure to address needs and population density. Director Kern informed that the 135 department would also take all the feedback from the 2005 GP and previous engagement 136 efforts to develop a clear and concise document that moves the island in a direction that 137 addresses the challenges we face. He shared that the draft would be presented this year 138 for public review. 139 Zoning and Subdivision Code Update - Director Kern provided an update on the Zoning 140 and Subdivision Code Update Project. Community outreach has been underway and 141 continues through community meetings and online forums to collect feedback. Director 142 Kern explained that the General Plan will be adopted first and is being used to inform the 143 Code update. He also stated that the staff who are working to support ACs are not 144 working on the Code Update project. 145 Director Kern addressed concerns he had heard previously related to the AC program. He 146 informed that the Planning Department is working diligently to provide more support and 147 that staff continue to work closely with the Chairs and Vice-Chairs to support meetings, 148 and AC-driven projects. He stated that ACs will be engaged for feedback on the General 149 Plan draft. Director Kern acknowledged that staffing challenges are occurring across 150 several County departments and that the Planning Department is continuing to actively 151 recruit for new or upcoming vacancies. Regarding AC recruitments, Director Kern 152 informed that recruitments largely depend on having applications from diverse 153 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 5 backgrounds, locations, and are ideally longtime residents of Hawai‘i Island. He 154 encouraged the ACs to help get the word out for new applications. 155 Director Kern discussed the importance of keeping our youth on the island. He informed 156 that the department has been participating in the Lead for Hawaii (LFHI) fellowship 157 program, which focuses on leadership development and capacity building through 158 recruiting, training, and retaining Hawaii's young leaders. This provides pathways for 159 young people to address critical needs in their hometown, and activate the leadership 160 needed to revitalize communities. Director Kern shared the experience of one fellow who 161 graduated from a mainland college and was able to move home to be of service to his 162 community. 163 Questions and Answers: 164 Planning staff noted that any questions not answered due to time constraints would be 165 followed up on. You can read additional questions and answers in the attached 166 “Frequently Asked Questions.” 167 How can we add our density before we address all parts of our infrastructure? 168 Director Kern explained that additional density should not be added without proper 169 infrastructure and the importance of prioritizing infrastructure in the areas that need it 170 most. One way of doing that is through urban growth boundaries. He shared that the 171 challenge of implementing infrastructure projects in rural areas as there is sometimes not 172 enough population density for that to be realized. Director Kern informed that they are 173 trying to find creative ways to finance infrastructure by participating on the State Transit-174 Oriented Development (TOD) Council. He noted that there was a permitted interaction 175 group that brought on consultants to explore infrastructure financing options. 176 Given the staffing issues, what efforts are being made to attract and retain staff, such as 177 salary raises, benefits, etc.? 178 Salaries are based on collective bargaining units across the entire state and there are no 179 cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) we can offer. We have been working with Human 180 Resources (HR) to see what other areas we can work on to improve quality of life, to 181 attract and retain staff. Some elements include flex time, work from home with proper 182 monitoring, and to give more flexibility with work schedules while making sure there’s 183 still staff in office to assist the public. We want to build bridges, provide opportunities for 184 staff to grow, and make sure they know they are appreciated for the public service work 185 that they do. We hope the elements we are working on with HR will attract more people 186 to open positions and retain them as well. 187 What happened to the 2019 General Plan Draft and the feedback from previous public 188 outreach efforts, and why are Action Committees only being invited to participate when 189 the draft is out? 190 Director Kern expressed gratitude for the feedback collected during the previous public 191 outreach efforts and shared that the CDPs have been a great resource to pull information 192 from. He informed that all the GP elements continue to come from community by taking 193 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 6 all previous feedback combined with new data we have gathered from the COVID 194 pandemic, the Kīlauea eruption, and recent efforts on the County Climate Action Plan. 195 Why is there no stipulation to ensure that the island’s infrastructure is safe for residents, 196 to account for the impacts of population growth? Could there could be a stipulation to 197 ensure that a percentage of new housing developments go towards locals first? 198 Director Kern explained that when it comes to measuring impact, there are processes in 199 place to ensure reports are conducted, considered, and addressed prior to development 200 approval. Imposing exclusionary requirements for buying or renting housing is 201 complicated due to legal limitations and risk of discrimination. He acknowledged that 202 while he does not have the details to share on the matter, he had discussions with the 203 Office of Housing and Community Development about potential ideas for that. 204 Are there actions to review and amend the building code to allow for alternative building 205 materials, techniques, or alternative building types to support less costly homes? 206 The Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) restricts counties from adopting less stringent 207 building requirements than what the current State Building Code allows. We are 208 currently following State legislation that would give counties the power to adopt a less 209 stringent building code. This would give Council and the Department of Public Works 210 (DPW) the ability to adjust our building code to allow the usage of alternative building 211 materials. 212 2. Updates on Community Implementation Per District: 213 Action Committee chairs provided updates on their recent achievements, current 214 initiatives, and their goals for 2023: 215 Kaʻū Action Committee Chair Enos shared that their CDP has the most recent formed 216 Action Committee and that they have met twice since October 2022. During the first 217 meeting, held in Pahala, elections were held and AC members shared initiatives that they 218 were currently involved in as individuals. Chair Enos also informed that the AC 219 established four investigatory subcommittees; three for coastline access to Papakōlea 220 Green Sand Beach, Pōhue Bay, and Punaluʻu Beach; and one subcommittee for Kupuna 221 housing. She shared that at the committee’s second meeting, reports were made by the 222 subcommittees, and another was created to focus development in Ka'ū. The Kaʻū Action 223 Committee hoped to establish a meeting schedule for 2023. Chair Enos shared that the 224 AC would advocate, kokua, and recommend community projects that benefit the Kaʻū 225 community, within the guidelines of the CDP, and that the committee would practice 226 flexibility, creativeness, and openness to change as time evolves. 227 Hāmākua Committee Chair Keeney informed that the AC had two subcommittees. The 228 first for Waipiʻo Valley, as wahi pana, meaning revered place with special, cultural, and 229 historical importance. Chair Keeney conveyed the challenge the committee faced in its 230 efforts to designate Waipiʻo Valley, including the valley ramp, as wahi pana. The idea is to 231 create a resource protection overlay and regulations that will protect the valley’s natural 232 resources, preserve its historic past, and perpetuate its agricultural traditions and unique 233 rural lifestyle. He informed that the AC would collaborate with the Waipiʻo Valley 234 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 7 community to develop a long-range management plan to address public access, carrying 235 capacity, resource management, and potential funding sources for ongoing maintenance 236 of the streets and roads. Chair Keeney informed that their second subcommittee was 237 dedicated to dealing with infrastructure for the proposed and permitted Lehua street 238 subdivision in Honokaʻa. He also suggested that all Chairs of the ACs should meet and 239 assist Planning staff to conduct Joint AC meetings, in the future. Chair Keeney felt that 240 the most important challenge was to increase the communication with and between the 241 ACs and the communities. He noted that access to the newspapers and social media 242 outreach would be extremely important in helping to address that challenge. 243 South Kohala Committee Acting Chair McLaughlin shared that their Action Committee 244 created four subcommittees at their last meeting to address various topics for 2023. The 245 first, to follow up on the Hawaiʻi tourism authority plans to collaborate and provide input 246 on tourism in South Kohala. The second, to start preemptively investigating revisions to 247 the South Kohala CDP. The third, to focus on Waimea preservation with regard to 248 development and historical preservation. The fourth, to investigate status and situations 249 related to roads and bridges in South Kohala. Acting Chair McLaughlin informed that all 250 subcommittees are just getting started with their work and they hope to have updates on 251 each topic by the middle of the year. He also informed that the committee is working to 252 build an agenda and would schedule the next AC meeting soon. 253 Puna Committee Chair Brewer shared that the committee, with help from the County, 254 had launched a network of Resilience Capacity Areas (RCA) and action teams to support 255 community-based actions for Puna revitalization after various natural disasters over the 256 past years. She informed that all Puna AC members were either chairing or co-chairing 257 the RCAs. Within the RCA structure the committee was able to build cultural, economic, 258 ʻōpio (youth), social, and natural environment RCAs so that members can focus on an 259 area that they are specifically interested in or have expertise on. She noted that through 260 this alternative structure, they can bring in more community members. She 261 acknowledged that the downside to this is that they do not have much time to focus on 262 the AC, however, the work is very similar. Chair Brewer informed that the biggest 263 projects happening in Puna are still related to recovery issues, such as repairing the 264 Pohoiki boat ramp. She also informed that quarterly RCA activation events take place 265 where members from the RCAs and from different County departments gather to 266 present information to the community. Chair Brewer shared that the AC created one 267 subcommittee which is working to revise a brochure called “The Building in Puna” 268 brochure. She noted that information in the brochure may apply to other districts as well 269 and the AC would be happy to share it out with the other ACs once they are done revising 270 it . 271 North Kohala Advisory Group member John Winter briefly reiterated information 272 regarding the advisory group, as most of the information was shared during his earlier 273 testimony. He looked forward to learning more about Sunshine Law and how to 274 creatively partner with the county. Mr. Winter encouraged all ACs to be vigilant in their 275 recruitment efforts and noted that he was open to any questions regarding their work in 276 North Kohala. 277 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 8 Questions and Answers: 278 How will Director Kern and the Planning Department leverage all the great things that the 279 ACs have to offer, rather than view them as something you have to administer because it 280 is written in the code? 281 Director Kern shared his hope that through continued collaboration with the ACs, they 282 would find solutions to challenges and serve the community. He felt that they could work 283 to improve our communities by continuing to come together and work collectively to 284 make informed decisions. He emphasized and appreciated the great work the ACs do and 285 did not feel that they were just a task to be dealt with. He noted that he would come 286 back with a more considered answer and to collaborate more on ways they could help 287 one another. 288 Would it be possible to do Joint Action Committee Meetings more regularly in order to get 289 more recent updates on various topics? How can we work to address topics that affect all 290 of us? How can ACs translate that information in order to help? 291 Director Kern informed that he would work with the team to find more ways to get 292 updates out to the ACs. He noted that as more staff are hired, the Department’s capacity 293 to provide support will increase. With so many major projects underway this year we are 294 trying not to overwhelm the community with information so people have time to digest 295 the updates we share and provide feedback and staff in turn have time to digest and 296 incorporate feedback. 297 How can we make it easier for kanaka ‘oiwi to come home and have secure housing 298 without having to navigate such a complex network of applications and competitive 299 opportunities? 300 Director Kern acknowledged the issues that are easy to talk about but harder to solve, 301 such as level of opportunity and cost of living. He noted that more innovation brings 302 more opportunities, such as being able to work from home. He also noted that affordable 303 housing is crucial for bringing people back. 304 What price range do you see as “affordable” housing for 2023 in Kailua-Kona? 305 Director Kern informed that right now affordability is based on the Area Median Income 306 (AMI). He shared that in his opinion, if public servants are not able to attain housing, then 307 that is a big problem. He noted that when public servants and low-medium income 308 families are taken care of, then the rest should be taken care of as well. Director Kern 309 explained that he prefers to think of it as attainable housing rather than what fits into the 310 “affordable” definition. 311 What is the timeline for the completion of the draft GP? 312 Director Kern informed that the Planning Department was working to get the draft GP 313 out by the end of summer. He shared that it is currently being worked on internally and 314 the goal is to have it come out to gather more input and feedback from the public, before 315 beginning the adoption process later in the year. 316 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 9 ADJOURNMENT: 317 The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 P.M. 318 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona 319 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 320 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 321 by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 322 Frequently Asked Questions - Community Development Plan – Action Committee – February 2023 **Yellow highlight means they were asked and answered in the February Joint AC Meeting. Page 1 of 6 STAFFING When will the Planning Department be hiring more staff? What attempts are made to preserve adequate staffing for the Action Committees? We are actively recruiting for all of our vacancies in our Long Range Division and across the Planning Department. Most County and state departments are experiencing staffing challenges, and our ability to hire depends on receiving qualified applicants. This issue impacts all of us and we appreciate everyone’s patience. Given the department’s staffing issues and the County’s low pay, what efforts are being made to attract and retain staff, such as raising salaries? Government salaries are based on collective bargaining units across the state and are not otherwise adjustable. We have been working with Dept. of Human Resources (HR) to identify other opportunities to improve quality of life to attract and retain staff. We want to build bridges, provide opportunities for staff to grow, and make sure they know they are appreciated for their public service. When and how will the Action Committees (AC) receive more support from the Planning Department? When positions fill and staff are trained and onboarded, the level of support can increase. This may take time, so it is important for all of us to kokua and find ways to keep momentum going for Action Committees in the meantime. Our team collaborates closely with AC Chairs and Vice-Chairs to support the continued organization of AC meetings and various AC-led projects. How does withdrawing planning staff support for Action Committees comply with the County Code? And have staff been reduced who review applications for new development? No staffing has been intentionally reduced or withdrawn in any areas of the Planning Department. We continue to comply with the County Code and our team continues to aim to provide service beyond our legal obligations. As we can fill vacancies, our capacity can increase. What about more project-based hiring (half up front, half upon effective completion, as an example) that also opens the door for more effective capitalistic innovation and entrepreneurship locally? The County is required to hire staff under state and union requirements, which require that we do not contract work for duties that permanent County positions could provide even if they are vacant. In other words, we cannot replace our existing positions with contract hires and our priority is to grow our staff. HOUSING How can we make it easier for kanaka ‘oiwi to come home and have secure housing without having to navigate such a complex network of applications and competitive opportunities? There are some issues that are easy to talk about but harder to solve, such as level of opportunity and cost of living. Affordable and attainable housing is crucial for retaining and bringing residents back. We also hope that by building up resident capacity through networking, education, services for small businesses, etc. we can increase levels of opportunity. With more innovation also comes more opportunity, for example being able to work from home. Frequently Asked Questions - Community Development Plan – Action Committee – February 2023 **Yellow highlight means they were asked and answered in the February Joint AC Meeting. Page 2 of 6 What price range do you see as “affordable” housing for 2023 in Kailua-Kona? Right now, affordability is based on the Area Median Income (AMI). As an example, if public servants are not able to attain housing, then that is a big problem. There is about 30-40% of our island’s workforce that could qualify for low-income housing. Regarding the zoning code update, is there any action being taken to review & amend the building code to allow alternative building materials, techniques, or alternative building types to support the creation of less costly homes? The Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) restricts counties from adopting less stringent building requirements than what the current State Building Code allows. We are currently following State legislation that could give counties the power to adopt a building code with more flexibility. This would give County Council and the Department of Public Works (DPW) the ability to adjust our building code to allow the use of alternative building materials. Why isn’t there a stipulation for developers to sell a higher percentage to locals before selling to newcomers to maintain the population size? Imposing exclusionary requirements for buying or renting housing is complicated due to legal limitations and risks of discrimination. We have collaborated with the Office of Housing and there are some initiatives to better understand ways to support affordable housing for residents. For example, one may be interested in following the conversation around County Council Bill 18: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/0/doc/1050583/Page1.aspx CDP/ACTION COMMITTEE How are Action Committees going to be administered and supported? The Planning Dept. staffing challenges do not change the way Action Committees were created in the Code, nor is it reflective of the level of support we aspire to provide. We continue to do everything we can to support Action Committee meetings and endeavors. Are there prioritized County action items per each CDP that the Planning Department have identified and plan to include in the upcoming fiscal year budget? The annual County Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget is a compilation of projects proposed by all County departments, the Mayor’s Office, and the County Council. CDPs have historically, and continue to be, a criteria of which CIP projects have been planned for and funded. There is a lot that goes into the way infrastructure projects are prioritized including public safety, cost efficiency, phasing, community needs, and other contingencies. Our County Charter requires that all CIP projects be prioritized based on criteria aligned with the General Plan, Community Development Plans, emergency expenditures, and other pertinent functional plans. Action Committees have also successfully advocated for capital improvement projects – examples of this include the Kona Open Space Network Plan and the Pāhoa Regional Town Center Master Plan. Shouldn’t there be meetings of all AC chairs (and perhaps all AC members) every 6 months? The County discourages any AC (and any other board or committee) deliberations from happening outside of public meetings. We have been advised by our Corporation Counsel that Action Committees Frequently Asked Questions - Community Development Plan – Action Committee – February 2023 **Yellow highlight means they were asked and answered in the February Joint AC Meeting. Page 3 of 6 are similar enough in nature and discussion content could constitute a violation of Sunshine Law. An alternative to this may be to attend the meetings of other Action Committees to discuss and share your thoughts and ideas so that there is no Action Committee business happening outside of the public meeting. On the request for more Joint Action Committee meetings - they are a great way to create a forum for topics that are not district-specific and create opportunities for ACs to connect, learn from, and inspire one another. We do not have a set schedule of future Joint Action Committee meetings, but we intend to continue organizing Joint Action Committee meetings in the future. Would it be possible to have more regular Joint Action Committee Meetings to address topics that may affect all ACs? How can ACs translate that information to help? We continue to look for creative ways to get updates out to the ACs. With so many major projects underway, we try not to overwhelm the community with too much information so there is time to digest the updates and provide feedback. In turn, this allows staff time to digest and incorporate feedback. Why aren’t there more regular Action Committee meetings? The Planning Department has offered assistance for ACs to continue to meet as often as monthly if they choose. If an AC would like to meet, , we suggest reaching out to CDP staff or AC chair to offer ideas and support. What is the status of Action Committee recruitment? For AC recruitments, applicants are reviewed for diverse backgrounds and for people who represent various regions/communities. We seek a variety of occupations, ages, and interests, as well as numerous years of Hawai‘i residency, and experience in community-based initiatives. It has been challenging to receive new applications, and we often find that word of mouth is the most effective means of outreach. We urge everyone to apply or share the need for applications. More information and applications can be found here: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions. How do Action Committee members get appointed? Members of the public must first apply to be on an Action Committee through the Mayor’s Office website. In accordance with Hawaii County Code Chapter 16 and the County Charter, members are nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council. When was the Action Committee Engagement Survey released? The survey was sent to all AC members and broadly to the community through our island-wide mailing lists. The original email was sent on 8/23/2022 and reminders were sent on 9/8/2022 and 9/12/22. What is the Planning Department’s legal obligation to the Action Committees? What does “administer” mean (PD administering to ACs per HCC Ch 16)? In general terms, the Action Committees fall under the Planning Dept umbrella. Administer means to post agendas and minutes, to ensure compliance with Sunshine Law, and to help with meeting logistics as needed. In addition, our team collaborates closely with AC Chairs and Vice-Chairs to support the organization of AC meetings and various AC-led initiatives. Frequently Asked Questions - Community Development Plan – Action Committee – February 2023 **Yellow highlight means they were asked and answered in the February Joint AC Meeting. Page 4 of 6 When will the CDP documents be revised? Please advise how the Kawaihae community was involved. Many of the big picture and islandwide policies and actions from each CDP are being incorporated in the draft General Plan. Once the General Plan is complete, the department will revisit how and when to update CDPs. Specific to South Kohala, there were 32 members of the Kawaihae community that made up the Kawaihae Focus Group during the South Kohala CDP drafting process. CDPs need to be Implemented. CDPs are implemented in many ways and have been since their adoption through County and community projects and initiatives:  They are implemented when CDP are consulted for development proposals through planners, other agency officials, Planning Commission, County Council, Cultural Resources, and their community testifiers.  They create a center-point that supports the organization of community partnerships and grassroots initiatives.  They guide Capital Improvement Projects and influence infrastructure projects that get completed islandwide.  They are routinely consulted in the creation of strategies and plans for County departments and other government agencies. The Kona CDP was drafted 33 years ago, when will it be updated? The Kona Community Development Plan was adopted in 2008 alongside the North Kohala, South Kohala, and Puna CDPs, and it was updated in 2019. For more information please go to our website here: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/cdp/kona/doc During the Kona CDP revisions, why did the Planning Department not change the name “Implementation Committee” to “Action Committee? When the Kona CDP was revised in 2019, the term “Implementation Committee” was changed to “Action Committee.” The Ramseyer’s version of the amendments can be found here: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/301805/637205594357370000 How will the Planning Director and the planning department leverage what the Action Committees offer, rather than viewing them as a requirement to administer? We hope through continued collaboration with the ACs we can find creative solutions to best serve the community. We can work to improve our communities by continuing to come together and work collectively to make informed decisions. Action Committees have always been more than just a legal mandate for our department. We hope to continue to elevate the role of Action Committees through ongoing collaboration. Will you please provide 7 days before meeting deadlines to accept emails before the meeting? We advertise our meetings in compliance with the State Sunshine Law which requires at least 6 days advance notice of Action Committee meetings to our mailing list. We must distribute the meeting packet no less than 48 hours in advance of the meeting to allow committee members and the public time to read the materials. Testimony that is not submitted on time will be distributed to committee members and shared in our public folders after the meeting. Frequently Asked Questions - Community Development Plan – Action Committee – February 2023 **Yellow highlight means they were asked and answered in the February Joint AC Meeting. Page 5 of 6 Is it the AC’s Corporation Counsel’s opinion that existing Sunshine Law procedures are all necessary? Yes, the Planning staff regularly communicate with Deputy Corporation Counsel and follow the State Sunshine Law requirements consistent with all other State and County boards, commissions, and committees. When questions arise, Planning or Counsel can receive guidance from State Office of Information Practices. This is necessary because ACs are formed under County Code and are required to follow procedures as outlined in the Code and County Charter. Why do you not refer to Vision Zero as a community action plan as part of the Hilo community plan like complete streets? The Hawai‘i County Vision Zero Plan and Street Design Manual are community plans in that they were created in collaboration with community and public input. However, they do not fall under the General Plan and Hawai‘i County Code Chapter 16 references to Community Development Plans (CDPs). INFRASTRUCTURE How can we add to our density before we address all parts of our infrastructure? Additional density should not be added without proper infrastructure. It is important to prioritize infrastructure in the areas that need it most. The department has been exploring various planning mechanisms and creative financial tools to implement this, for example through urban growth boundaries and through participating on the State Transit Oriented Development Council. It can be a challenge to fund infrastructure projects in rural places where the low population density cannot support the expense. These issues can be reduced through increasing density in key areas to reduce sprawl and lower infrastructure costs moving forward. Why is there no stipulation to ensure that the island’s infrastructure is safe for residents to account for the impacts of population growth? (are reports being done on population growth, sewage, etc.) When it comes to measuring impact, there are processes in place to ensure reports are conducted, considered, and addressed prior to development approval. Adequate infrastructure is a requirement for development and change of zone applications. Further, comments and/or verification are requested from related county and state agencies. Population and demographic reports can be found through the US Census, County Department of Research and Development, and State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Information about wastewater systems can be found with the County Department of Environmental Management. GENERAL PLAN & ZONING AND SUBDIVISION CODE UPDATE Will the General Plan re-write, a high-level policy document, be completed before the more detailed Zoning/ Subdivision re-write? Yes, the General Plan will be released prior to the code updates. The first phase of the code update project has been a review and audit of the codes, so there is a better understanding of what may need to be addressed based on public input, staff review, and consultant expertise. Since the General Plan will come first, the timing of the code project will follow accordingly. Frequently Asked Questions - Community Development Plan – Action Committee – February 2023 **Yellow highlight means they were asked and answered in the February Joint AC Meeting. Page 6 of 6 What is the timeline for the completion of the draft General Plan? We are working to get the draft General Plan out by the end of the summer 2023. Will the Action Committees be involved in the General Plan update? Action Committees will be engaged in the outreach of the next public draft of the General Plan and have an opportunity to review and provide comments. If the timeline for the Zoning/Subdivision re-write were extended, would there be more staff time for Action Committees (ACs)? The staff who support ACs are not the same as those supporting the Code Update project, so the project timeline does not affect the level of support for ACs. Why doesn’t the Planning Department abandon the Code Update and focus resources on the General Plan update? Updating the General Plan is the priority to be adopted first to inform the code update project. However, updating the Subdivision and Zoning code is also an important element to advance GP and CDP implementation by ensuring our regulatory system is in alignment with the community’s vision. CDPs cannot supersede the language in the Code and many of them call for regulations that contradict the current language in the Code. In the meantime, the CDPs continue to be implemented every day through regular actions from the County, other government agencies, stakeholders, and community groups - and these actions depend on a community planning system which we serve to maintain. Will there be public meetings around the island to introduce the draft General Plan before submission to Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions? Yes, there will be public meetings and the outreach plan for the draft is still being finalized. Please join the mailing list for your district CDP or the General Plan to be notified when there are opportunities to participate. https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/stay-informed What happened to the 2019 General Plan Draft and the feedback from previous public outreach efforts, and why are Action Committees only being invited to participate when the draft is out? Feedback and data to inform the General Plan is being taken from many sources, including the feedback we collected in our 2019 community engagement events. The draft reflects the feedback we have heard and continue to hear along with new data and lessons learned as a result of the COVID pandemic, the Kīlauea eruption, and recent efforts on the County Climate Action Plan. MISCELLANEOUS Are there written procedures publicly available to avoid the Planning Director being involved in County actions related to current and former clients? There are procedures in place for the Deputy Director to handle all conflicts of interest related to the Planning Director, in accordance with direction from the Board of Ethics.