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Home My WebLink About2025-02-06 WPC Hearing - InfrastructureCommunity Outreach Summary (2015-Present) Other Outreach: •2015 Council Resolutions (7) •Public Notices/Press Releases (32) •Public Agency Meetings (37) •Council Updates (26) •Landowner Meetings (30) •Public Comments: •2015 (650+ comments) •2019 Draft (4000+ comments) •2023 Draft (2500+ comments) •2024 Final Draft (900+ comments) Public Meetings # of Meetings General Workshops 21 Technical Workshops 4 Topic-Specific Workshops 6 Roadshows/Community Group Meetings 27 Action Committee & Community Meetings 67 ~ 4,420+ participants 2024 Community Meetings were held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in South Kona, Kaʻū, South Kohala, North Kohala, Puna, and North Hilo/Hāmākua. An online workshop was also held via Zoom in 2024. Windward and Leeward PC evening meetings were held on 12/05/24 and 12/19/24, respectively. What Have We Been Doing? 2015 Initiated GP Comp Review 2019 Initial Public Review of Draft Policies 2023 Draft GP 2045 Public Review July 29, 2024 Release of Final Recommended Draft GP 2045 What to Expect Next? July 29, 2024 Release of Dept Recommended Draft GP 2045 Aug 28-Sep 5 Final Public Workshops Sep 26, 2024 Public Comment Due Oct 25, 2024 Planning Director Submitted to PC Mar 24, 2025 PC Forwards Rec to Council 21 Days 2005 GP 16.1(5) 30 Days 2005 GP 16.1(6) 150 Days 2005 GP 16.1(8)2005 GP 16.1(4) County of Hawaiʻi General Plan Comprehensive Review Windward Planning Commission Sustainable Development & Resilient Communities: Transportation, Public Utilities, Public Facilities, Housing, & Integrated Systems February 6, 2025 Sustainable Development & Resilient Communities Chapters Elements Introduction Purpose, Authority, & History Planning Process Sustainability Principles & Practices Planning System & Framework Grounded Vision & Goals Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Native Habitats Watersheds Biocultural Stewardship Cultural & Historic Assets Natural Beauty (Scenic Character) Adapting to Climate Change for Island-Wide Health Mitigation Adaptation Sustainable Development & Resilient Communities Land Use Transportation Access & Mobility Public Utilities Public Facilities & Services Housing For All Integrated Systems Thriving, Diversified, and Regenerative Economy Agriculture & Food Systems Visitor Industry Implementation Planning System Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Monitoring & Evaluation Pl a n C h a p t e r s & S e c t i o n s Transportation Access & Mobility Goal: Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people and goods. Transportation Objectives Obj 16: Achieve a transportation system that is consistent with and will accommodate planned growth. Obj 17: Increase transportation connectivity. Obj 18: Increase mass transit ridership by 50 percent by 2045. Obj 19: Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Obj 20: Achieve a transportation system that employs all modes of transportation at a community scale. Obj 21: Incorporate green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff. Obj 22: Increase transportation safety for transportation’s most vulnerable users and reduce traffic fatalities. Obj 23: Adequately maintain public transportation systems. Obj 24: Improve accessibility to airports, harbor systems, and support facilities. Active Living Corridors & Public Access Mass Transit Roadways Transportation Terminals: Airports & Harbors Transportation Policies & Actions Example – Active Living Corridors & Public Access Goal: Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people and goods. Policy 17.1: Ensure Native Hawaiian access rights are clearly expressed in County code, policies, and procedures. Policy 17.3: Prior to disposing of, leasing, or transferring public lands through County Property Management procedures, the County shall assess, document, and protect access to existing active living corridors that are located on County-owned parcels Objective 17: Increase transportation connectivity. Action 17.a: Develop and adopt a program to establish public access to historic [trails] and modern active living corridors and facilities that provide an island-wide route and connection to major destinations. •These policies and actions strive to provide public access to and along the shoreline, mauka-makai connections by maintaining historic trails and implementing more urban multiuse paths to provide education, recreation, and transportation opportunities. Transportation Policies & Actions Example – Roadways Goal: Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people and goods. Policy 19.4: Increase mobility for minors, non-licensed adults, low-income, elderly, and people with mobility limitations through prioritization of alternative means of transportation. •The policy aims to promote inclusivity in transportation by prioritizing alternative modes of travel (e.g., walking, cycling, & public transit). The policy focuses on increasing mobility options for a range of people, recognizing that these groups often rely on alternative transportation modes. Objective 19: Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Action 19.a: Continue to adopt the County Street Design Manual as the County’s complete street design program/policy. •This action provides a framework to implement the policy. The Complete Streets approach integrates considerations for all users (e.g., pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users, & drivers) into street design, creating a safer and more accessible transportation network. Transportation Policies & Actions Example – Roadways Goal: Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people and goods. Policy 21.2: Prioritize roadway drainage improvements in flood-prone areas. •The island has many areas that are prone to flooding and this policy aims to prioritizing improvements starting with the most prone locations. This in turn will improve roadway access in times of need and safety for all users. Objective 21: Incorporate green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff. Action 21.a: Develop green infrastructure standards including right-of-way (ROW) landscaping, low-impact development (LID), and drainage. •Green infrastructure techniques utilize vegetation, soils, and other elements to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water. •This may include detaining or directing stormwater for infiltration at a slower rate before entering groundwater or marine environments. Image along Ane Keohokalole Highway near Manawalea St. Landscaping was installed at curb cuts to filter road runoff. Further down, there is an inlet to a drywell, which is a common method of stormwater infiltration on this island. Public Utilities Goal: Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure, utilities, and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Public Utilities Objectives Obj 25: Improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. Obj 26: Increase the protection of existing and potential sources of drinking water. Obj 27: Planned and developed municipal sewer capacity is expanded to serve our Urban Growth Areas and reduce sewage-related impacts on water quality. Obj 28: Increase green infrastructure practices. Obj 29: Strive towards energy self-sufficiency. Obj 30: Advance policies, programs, and initiatives for public and/or private investment in broadband and telecommunications infrastructure. Drinking Water Wastewater Treatment & Reuse Stormwater Infiltration & Green Infrastructure Electricity & Renewable Energy Telecommunications & Broadband Public Utilities Policies & Actions Example Goal: Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure, utilities, and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Policy 25.2: Provide utilities and service facilities that minimize total cost to the public and effectively serve the needs of the community. Policy 25.3: Utility facilities shall be designed to complement adjacent land uses and minimize pollution or disturbance of the natural environment and natural resources. Policy 25.5: Encourage the clustering of developments to reduce the cost of providing utilities. Objective 25: Improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems. •These policies strive to ensure reliable utility systems that best reduce costs and do not have a negative impact on the natural environment and resources. Public Utilities Policies & Actions Example – Broadband Goal: Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure, utilities, and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Policy 30.2: Develop and support a program of free, public-use broadband services at appropriate County-owned facilities, mass transit facilities, and other community anchor institutions. •The intention of this policy is to promote digital equity by addressing accessibility challenges for residents. Objective 30: Advance policies, programs, and initiatives for public and/or private investment in broadband and telecommunications infrastructure. Action 30.i: Pursue partnerships and funding for broadband initiatives and deployments. •This action outlines an approach to achieve the policy goal. It emphasizes collaboration with partners to secure resources and expertise necessary for broadband deployment and expansion. Public Facilities & Services Goal: Our communities are safe and protected and have access to integrative health, education, and social services to support a high quality of life for all residents. Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure, utilities, and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices. Public Facilities & Services Objectives Obj 31: Adequately maintain public facilities. Obj 32: Protect the health and well-being of residents and visitors. Obj 33: Achieve Zero Waste in Hawaiʻi County by 2045. Obj 34: Each community has access to a wide range of educational opportunities. Obj 35: Park facilities are located within a 10-minute walk in urban areas and a 10-minute drive in rural communities. Obj 36: Each community has access to healthcare facilities, programs, or community-based care. Protective Services Solid Waste Management Education Recreation Community Health & Wellness Public Facilities Policies & Actions Example – Recreation Goal: Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people and goods. Policy 35.12: Facilitate and prioritize the co-location of schools, parks, and senior centers to promote interactivity between community members of all ages. •The intent of this policy is to create shared spaces that encourage interaction among diverse age groups, fostering a sense of community and maximizing the use of public resources. Objective 35: Park facilities are located within a 10-minute walk in urban areas and a 10-minute drive in rural communities. Action 35.j: Develop local citizen leadership and participation in recreation planning, maintenance, and programming. •This action emphasizes engaging community members in the decision-making and upkeep of recreational spaces. This ensures that the facilities and programs meet the community’s needs and reflect its values. Housing for All Goal: Residents have access to adequate and affordable housing to meet the needs of the population and provide equitable opportunities for household flexibility and mobility. Objectives: Diversify & Expand Housing Manage Existing Housing Increase Affordability Housing Policies & Actions Example Goal: Each community is connected by a multimodal and modernized transportation network that provides a system for safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people and goods. Policy 39.4: Reduce the cost and time of processing land use and construction applications, particularly for affordable housing projects. •The policy highlights the need to reduce the cost and time associated with processing applications, particularly for affordable housing projects. This aims to remove regulatory and administrative obstacles that can delay development and increase costs, which ultimately affects housing affordability and availability. Objective 39: Prioritize providing quality affordable housing for Hawaiʻi’s residents. (Create Housing Affordability) Action 39.c: Amend land use and building regulations to reduce costs and streamline the processing of affordable housing applications and facilitate concurrent applications when possible. •The action provides an approach to achieving the policy goal by amending land use and building regulations. These amendments focus on reducing costs, streamlining processes, and enabling concurrent application reviews, which can significantly expedite project timelines. Integrated Systems Goal: We employ integrated systems that are efficient, equitable, and organized to facilitate coordination and collaboration. Integrated Systems Policies & Actions Example Goal: We employ integrated systems that are efficient, equitable, and organized to facilitate coordination and collaboration. Policy 41.11: Projects involving more than one Department’s assets shall be coordinated to define scoping, design, and construction needs. •This policy interdepartmental coordination for projects that involve multiple departments’ assets. By working together to align scoping, design, and construction needs, the County can reduce redundancies, streamline processes, and ensure that resources are used effectively across departments. Objective 41: Maintain fiscal integrity, responsibility, and efficiency. Action 41.d: Conduct cost-benefit analysis for new facilities and replacements. •Conducting cost-benefit analyses for new facilities and replacements provides a structured approach to evaluate the financial and social impacts of proposed projects. This ensures that investments in infrastructure deliver maximum value to the community while minimizing unnecessary costs. For More Information Planning Website – Overall Process Interactive Draft & Maps https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/comp https://cohplanning.konveio.com/final-recommended-draft-general-plan-2045?document=1 Next Steps Tentative WPC Hearing Dates: Fri, February 7, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Mon, March 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Tue, March 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Wed, March 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Information for Upcoming Planning Commission Meetings for Review of General Plan 2045 at: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/about- us/boards-committees/planning-commission-applications or by calling 808-961-8288. Review the plan section by section. Next: Economy & Implementation MAHALO County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department