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Home My WebLink About2025-03-11 KCDP Meeting Packet County of Hawai‘i KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720 (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov C. Kimo Alameda, PhD. Mayor John Pelletier Vacant Heather Korotie Vacant Charles Young, Chair Nancy Pisicchio, Vice-Chair Charla Thompson David Huerta Roselyn Molina NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee in accordance with the provisions of Section 92-7, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS). This meeting will be held in-person at the location listed in this notice and by Interactive Conference Technology (ICT) through Zoom. DATE: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 TIME: 12:00-2:00 p.m. IN PERSON LOCATION: West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, B2 Conference Room 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 ONLINE/ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/h0FEnqdHQ1u34NC9HHLQ9w NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC TESTIMONY: The public may provide oral testimony at the meeting by joining Zoom or attending in-person at the physical location listed above. Although not required, to register in advance for oral testimony please contact staff at cdp@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8288. Pursuant to Section 92-3, HRS, interested persons who want to provide oral testimony may do so either at the time the committee takes public statements on the agenda, or at the time the specific agenda item is called. Please note that public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item. In addition, although not required, to ensure timely delivery of written testimony to committee members, it is requested that written testimony be submitted by 4:30 p.m. at least two business days prior to the meeting via email to cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. When submitting written testimony, please specify for which agenda item written testimony is being submitted. All written testimony will be a part of the public record. NOTICE REGARDING INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): A meeting held by ICT shall be automatically recessed for up to 30 minutes to restore communication when audiovisual communication cannot be maintained with all members participating in the meeting or with the in-person location identified in this notice. The meeting may reconvene when either audiovisual communication is restored, or audio-only communication is established after an unsuccessful attempt to restore audiovisual communication. If it is not possible to reconvene the meeting as provided in this subsection within 30 minutes after an interruption to communication, the meeting will be automatically terminated. Page 2 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The Action Committee will consider approving the draft minutes for the Kona CDP Action Committee Meeting on February 11, 2025. III. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: The public may provide verbal testimony at the meeting by joining the Zoom meeting or attending in-person. Please register to testify by contacting cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. Comments may be made either during the public comment portion of the agenda or just prior to the relevant business item. With discretion of the Chair of the CDP Action Committee, comments may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item. Written testimony may be submitted via email at cdp@hawaiicounty.gov or in person at the Hilo or Kona Planning Department, up to two (2) business days prior to this meeting (see the Notice Section below). IV. BUSINESS: 1. Kealakehe Regional Park Update – Update from Action Committee members and discussion regarding any actions the Committee may pursue. 2. Leeward Planning Commission Testimony Update – Vice Chair Pisicchio and Committee member John Pelletier to provide update on the Leeward Planning Commission meeting. 3. State Legislature Testimony – Discussion and potential action on whether the Action Committee should submit testimony to State Legislature on bills relevant to the Kona Community Development Plan. 4. Update on SB869 SD1 & HB686 HD1 – Vice Chair Pisicchio to provide update on the status of the bills at the current legislative session. V. PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS: Action Committee members will discuss potential agenda items for the next meeting. VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS: • On February 18, 2025, the County Council Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development created an Ad Hoc Committee to analyze the effectiveness of the CDP Action Committee structure as noted in Communication 120. • Homelessness & Housing Fund Survey – The Office of Housing & Community Development & SAS Services, LLC would like to hear from you about issues, needs, and solutions for homelessness in your community. Visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HHFHawaii • The Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 has been submitted to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will continue discussions and actions on the following date. More information can be found here: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/about-us/boards-committees/planning-commission-applications o Windward Planning Commission: March 10, 2025 at 9:00am • The Planning Department is currently seeking applicants for the Kona CDP Action Committee and the Cultural Resources Commission and requests assistance in spreading the word to Page 3 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov interested community members. The application can be found on the Mayor’s office website at: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-commissions-application VII. ADJOURNMENT This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository: hhttps://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=1&startid=9059&row=1&cr=1. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. The recorded video of this meeting will be uploaded to the Planning Department’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cohplanningdepartment NOTICE: The purpose of the public hearings is to afford all interested persons a reasonable opportunity to be heard on the above items. A person desiring to submit oral or written testimony shall indicate their name and whether the testimony is on their behalf or as a representative of an organization or individual. Written testimony can be submitted via email or hard copy. Hard copies should include an original and nine copies and be submitted no later than 4:30pm two business days prior to the meeting. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service, other reasonable modification, or language interpretation to access this meeting please contact the Planning Department at (808) 961-8288 or cdp@hawaiicounty.gov as soon as possible, but no later than five business days prior to the meeting date, to arrange for accommodations. If a response is received after the five-business days deadline, we will try to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but we cannot guarantee that the request will be fulfilled. “Other reasonable modification” refers to communication methods or devices for people with disabilities who are mentally and/or physically challenged. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai‘i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist. (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i County Code). A lobbyist means, “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawai‘i County Code). Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720. KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Meeting Packet QR Code: KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 February 11, 2025 5 CALL TO ORDER 6 Chair Charles Young called the Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee 7 (AC) to order at 12:01 p.m. This meeting was held in person at the West Hawai’i Civic Center, B2 8 Conference Room and online via the Zoom platform. 9 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf7CF8d7b10&t=4557s 11 ROLL CALL 12 Members Present (in person): Charles Young (Chair), Nancy Pisicchio (Vice Chair), John Pelletier, 13 and Charla Thompson 14 Members Present (via Zoom): David Huerta 15 Members Absent: Roselyn Molina 16 County Staff Present (in person): Kawelo Kalili 17 County Staff Present (via Zoom): Maryam Palam, Janice Hata, Jessica Lahip, and Shantel Miller 18 There were approximately 7 members of the public in attendance (2 in person and 5 via Zoom). 19 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 20 Committee member John Pelletier moved to approve the minutes from the January 14, 2025, 21 meeting as drafted. Nancy Pisicchio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. [SEE 22 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 5:32] 23 BUSINESS: 24 1. Kealakehe Regional Park Update – Update from Action Committee members and discussion 25 regarding any actions the Committee may pursue. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 6:01] 26 Committee member Pelletier noted that the AC had previously sent a letter to the former Parks and 27 Recreation (P&R) Director but did not receive a response. A new letter has been sent to the current 28 director, but the AC has yet to receive a reply. The Planning Department shared that the County is 29 working on the Capital Improvements Program (CIP), where the Kealakehe Regional Park is 30 expected to be listed. Once the CIP is reviewed by the Council and made public, the AC can 31 advocate for the project. Vice Chair Pisicchio highlighted the need to track past funding allocated 32 to the project, while committee member Thompson discussed water issues at Old A’s and 33 Kealakehe. Planning suggested that the AC designate members to work with CIP staff on park 34 budgets. Vice Chair Pisicchio also raised concerns about the park’s reliance on recycled water and 35 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of January 14, 2025 2 the next steps to address the issue. Committee member Pelletier will follow up with the Hawaiʻi 36 State Archives regarding the park land. 37 This item concluded at 12:33 p.m. 38 2. Leeward Planning Commission Testimony Update – Vice Chair Pisicchio and Committee 39 Member John Pelletier gave an update on the January 16, 2025, Leeward Planning Commission 40 meeting, where they provided oral testimony on behalf of the committee. [SEE YOUTUBE 41 TIMESTAMP 31:43] 42 Vice Chair Pisicchio and committee member Pelletier testified at the January Planning 43 Commission meeting regarding the Hokuliʻa reclassification proposal. They opposed the 44 reclassification from Agricultural to Rural due to concerns that urban sprawl would conflict with 45 the CDP. Planning Director Jeff Darrow confirmed that the change was made under the previous 46 administration, stated he did not support it, and listed it among revisions to be addressed. The 47 Planning Department ultimately recommended keeping the classification as is, aligning with the 48 AC’s position. Vice Chair Pisicchio also highlighted the importance of addressing overlooked 49 issues in the General Plan, emphasizing the need for infrastructure mandates alongside high-50 density zoning. Committee member Pelletier attempted to advocate for TOD classification in 51 North Kona but found limited engagement from the Commission. Despite challenges, the AC saw 52 some success in influencing planning decisions and aims to continue advocating for better 53 community engagement and infrastructure planning. 54 3. State Legislature Testimony – Discussion and potential action on whether the Action 55 Committee should submit testimony to State Legislature on bills relevant to the Kona 56 Community Development Plan. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 41:33] 57 Two bills, Senate Bill 869 and House Bill 869, aim to bring neighborhood boards under the same 58 Sunshine Law requirements. Efforts to gain support included outreach to the South Kohala and 59 Ka’ū CDP Action Committees, both of which responded positively and submitted testimony. The 60 Senate bill was initially deferred but later passed with amendments following clarification from 61 the Office of Information Practices (OIP) and the Public First Law Center. Overall, the response 62 to the bills has been supportive. 63 The discussion centered on concerns about proposed legislation that would weaken state oversight 64 of land reclassification from Agricultural to Rural by removing the State Land Use Commission 65 from the approval process and granting counties greater control. Speakers warned this could lead 66 to unchecked urban expansion, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental harm. They 67 emphasized the importance of state-level scrutiny for responsible development and sustainability. 68 Additionally, concerns were raised about the loss of agricultural land and its effects on rainfall, 69 watershed restoration, and long-term planning. Some participants expressed interest in researching 70 these issues, addressing them through community development efforts, and exploring ways to 71 oppose such legislative changes. 72 PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 73 1:11:53] 74 1. Kona Watershed and Kealakehe WWTP. 75 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of January 14, 2025 3 2. Kealakehe Regional Park 76 3. SB 869 and HB 686 Update 77 4. Water Issues 78 5. General Plan Update 79 ADJOURNMENT 80 The meeting was adjourned at 1:44pm. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:43:45] 81 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona 82 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 83 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by 84 calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 85 Ashley L. Kierkiewicz County Council District IV Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development —Chair 808) 961-8265 ashley.kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 MEMORANDUM DATE: January 28, 2025 TO: Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Council Chairperson And Members of the Hawaii County Council V yFROM: tom+ Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Council Member Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit - Vice Chair SUBJECT: Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee Relating to Community Development Plan Action Committees Pursuant to Rule No. 7 (Ad Hoc Committees) of the Hawaii County Council Rules of Procedure and Organization, I am requesting the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee to make recommendations regarding Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committees. I respectfully request placement of this item on the February 18, 2025 Committee agenda. Chapter 16 ofthe Hawaii County Code establishes Action Committees to implement CDPs adopted by the County Council. Article 3 of this chapter outlines Action Committee membership, tenure, duties, and responsibilities. Currently, six communities have adopted a Community Development Plan — Hamakua, Ka`u, Kona, North Kohala, Puna, and South Kohala. To ensure compliance with HRS 92-2.5(b)(1)(A), the February 18, 2025 Committee meeting shall serve as the fonnal notice ofthe "assignment" of this ad hoc committee. I am recommending this ad hoc committee be composed of four Council Members (to be determined during the February 18, 2025 Committee meeting), along with representatives from the Planning Department, Corporation Counsel, and the Mayor's Office. The purpose of the ad hoc is to analyze effectiveness ofthe Action Committee structure; conduct interviews with past and current Action Committee members, as well as Planning Department staff; review models of community -local government collaboration within Hawaii and in other municipalities; develop recommendations to enhance community representation, engagement in County matters, and the capacity of communities to address local issues and implement plans at a regional or neighborhood level. Findings and recommendations from the ad hoc committee will be compiled into a single communication for Council Members' review. I am requesting 30 minutes to discuss this request and to select members of this ad hoc committee. Mahalo nui. AK/kj CC: Jeff Darrow (Planning Director) Renee Schoen (Corporation Counsel) William Brilhante & Merrick Nishimoto (Mayor's Office) Comm. o. Ref. To: Ref. Dote Communication No. 2025-03 Communication No. 2025-04 HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING SURVEY FUND Please complete by March 14, 2025. Mahalo! COUNTY HAWAIʻIOF Scan the QR code or visit: The Office of Housing & Community Development & SAS Services, LLC would like to hear from you about issues, needs, and solutions for homelessness in your community. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HHFHawaii Communication No. 2025-05 Communication No. 2025-06 Communication No. 2025-07