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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-19 Leeward Planning Commission Special General Plan MinutesPage 1 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission December 19, 2024, General Plan Special Meeting Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION GENERAL PLAN SPECIAL MEETING COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 2024 A video recording is made part of these minutes, which can be viewed on the YouTube County of Hawai‘i Planning Department channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAZBjkt3sF0. Timestamps are provided for reference in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 92, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes. In the event the video recording becomes unavailable at the above-mentioned URL address, the public can contact the Planning Department for assistance. The Leeward Planning Commission met in regular session on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Council Chambers, Building A, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, with Chairperson Barbara DeFranco presiding. This meeting was streamed live on YouTube. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Mahina Paishon-Duarte, Commissioner Dean Au, Commissioner Clement “CJ” Kanuha III, Commissioner Donna “Kinuko” Noborikawa, Commissioner Armando Rodriguez, and Barbara DeFranco (Chairperson). COMMISSIONERS ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Commissioner Michael Dela Cruz ALSO PRESENT: Suzanna Tiapula, Esq. (Deputy Corporation Counsel to the Commission) Jean Campbell, Esq. (Deputy Corporation Counsel to the Planning Department), Jeffrey Darrow (Acting Planning Director), Michelle Ahn (Acting Deputy Director) and Planning Department staff. Approximately nineteen members of the public were present in the audience. A quorum was present. Chairperson Barbara DeFranco called the meeting to order at 5:25 p.m. and introduced the Commissioners. Staff introductions were made. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 20:14] Chairperson Barbara DeFranco began by asking each Commissioner to confirm they had reviewed all materials related to the agenda items for today's meeting. The Commissioners confirmed they had. She then made some housekeeping announcements, requesting attendees turn off their cell phones and put them on silent. She pointed out the location of the public restrooms and drinking fountain, both accessible through the door on the right. For anyone wishing to testify in person, Chairperson Barbara DeFranco asked them to fill out the yellow signup forms at the staff table and submit any written testimony not previously sent. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 21:41] Page 2 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission December 19, 2024, General Plan Special Meeting Minutes INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW Chairperson Barbara DeFranco explained that the purpose of today's meeting is to allow public comment on the County of Hawai‘i's General Plan 2045 final draft and for the Commission to review and provide recommendations to the County Council. The Commission will hold meetings to review the plan until February 2025, with a final recommendation due by March 24, 2025. Each meeting will include a staff presentation, public testimony, and Commission discussion. Commissioners can make changes to the draft until the last meeting, when they will vote on the final recommendation. The draft plan can be accessed on the Planning Commission website. Chairperson Barbara DeFranco introduced the staff presentation, starting with the Planning Director, and asked the Commissioners to note any questions they want to ask the Director, as questions would be reserved until after hearing public testimony. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 22:47] STAFF PRESENTATION At 5:29 p.m., Stephanie Letro from the Finance Department addressed questions from the commissioners during the previous meeting. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 25:16] Stephanie Letro from the Finance Department addressed a question raised by Vice Chair Mahina Paishon-Duarte regarding purchasing and vendors, particularly in the context of supporting local agriculture and the economy. Vice Chair Mahina Paishon-Duarte asked if there were ways the Planning Commission could require or encourage applicants to source products from local, sustainable vendors, especially for agricultural uses. Stephanie Letro explained that the state has a process for giving preference to Hawaii products through its procurement system. Vendors can apply to have their products listed as Hawaii-made, and the state manages a list of approved items. When solicitations are issued, they include language specifying preference for Hawaii products, though vendors must meet certain criteria, including being the lowest bidder when factoring in preferences outlined in the law. Vice Chair Mahina Paishon-Duarte followed up, asking if this process could be streamlined or incorporated into the General Plan update. Stephanie outlined how the procurement process works, emphasizing that departments would specify which products qualify, and vendors could apply through the state’s process. She also noted that there is support for vendors to help them through this. Vice Chair Mahina Paishon- Duarte expressed interest in incorporating this approach into the General Plan update, particularly in discussions around circular economies. Stephanie provided additional resources for reference on the legal framework behind the process. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 25:49] Commissioner Dean Au questioned how a list of 23 vendors is organized and how materials are classified when there is no vendor listed in a specific category. He wondered if, in such cases, bidders could use any materials. Stephanie Letro clarified that vendors classify their own products into categories such as juice, meat, foam products, etc. There isn’t a fixed state classification system, but vendors self-identify the category for their products. Commissioner Dean Au then asked about the purpose of the preference list, especially if there's no clear criteria. Stephanie explained that the list is used when there are multiple bids. If a higher bidder offers a Hawaii-preferred product (from the list), the state can apply a percentage discount (10-15%) to their bid. If, after the discount, the higher bidder’s price is lower than the lowest bid, the higher Page 3 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission December 19, 2024, General Plan Special Meeting Minutes bidder wins the contract. Commissioner Dean Au noted that he understand the process better after the explanation, particularly from a materials perspective. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 33:04] Planning Staff April Surprenant requested to respond to a policy while Ms. Letro was online, referring to page 68 of the general plan. She pointed out that Policy 6.1 prioritizes and supports community-based organizations, businesses, and programs through County Purchasing and procurement policies. After briefly explaining this, Chair Barbara DeFranco thanked her for the information and for her time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 36:33] Planning Staff April Surprenant and Janice Hata gave the presentation. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 37:48] STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS At 6:18 p.m. the Commission took up this item with approximately fifteen members of the audience in the Council Chambers. Chair Barbara DeFranco instructed the testifiers to turn on the microphone, raise their right hand, and swear to tell the truth. She also clarified that each testifier will have three minutes, with a 30-second warning, and requested that they state their name and town before beginning their testimony. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:13:43] Twelve individuals provided testimony in-person at 6:19 p.m.: 1) Ru Carley – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:15:01] 2) Leilani Pulmano – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:18:33] 3) Shaylene Fahey – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:20:38] 4) Shannon Fisher – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:23:54] 5) Josephine Keliiplo – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:27:50] 6) John Pelletier – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:30:31] 7) Michelle Melendez – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:33:13] 8) Martha Stephens – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:37:02] 9) Paul Andrade – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:40:32] 10) Jesse Waltjen – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:41:59] 11) Cindy Andrade – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:43:13] 12) Robert Gay – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:46:14] *RECESS 6:53 p.m. to 7:03 p.m.* [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:48:54] Commissioner Clement “CJ” Kanuha III left during the recess, but this was not recorded. Ten individuals provided testimony on zoom at 7:04 p.m.: 1) Janice Palma-Glennie [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:00:46] 2) Amanda Hatcher – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:04:43] 3) Roger Christie – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:09:33] 4) Kevin Hill – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:13:42] 5) Megan Issac – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:17:55] Page 4 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission December 19, 2024, General Plan Special Meeting Minutes Chair Barbara DeFranco interrupted, asking Megan Issac to be respectful and avoid making certain comments about the Planning Department, warning that she would be cut off if she continued. Megan responded that she was presenting facts, but the Chair declined to take her testimony. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:18:25] 6) Davina Mar – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:20:58] 7) Juhl Rayne – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:24:30] 8) Monique Perreira – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:28:15] 9) Elsa Dedman – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:30:19] 10) Chuck Flaherty – [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:31:57] Statements from the public concluded at 7:40 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:36:37] DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION Chairperson Barbara DeFranco allowed the Planning Department time to provide comments based on the public testimony that was heard. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:36:40] Planning Staff April Surprenant addressed several topics based on public testimony, including food security, water catchments, and cluster development. She highlighted that the General Plan emphasizes self-sustainability and diverse agriculture, which aligns with state regulations, specifically HRS 205. She noted that food security is addressed both in the agriculture and economic development sections of the plan. Regarding water catchments, she explained that the 2005 General Plan, which still influences current policies, includes guidelines from the Department of Health and has long supported water safety without being overly restrictive. On cluster development, she clarified that it is an option for landowners in certain conditions, like flood-prone areas or areas with native forests, and is not mandated. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:37:28] Acting Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow suggests starting the discussion at a high level and working down to specific issues. He emphasizes that many people who spoke oppose the plan and want it reconsidered, so it's important to explain the lengthy process involved, including past adjustments made in response to public feedback. He also wants to address concerns about climate change and how resources are being sourced in the plan. Additionally, he notes the importance of explaining the efforts made to inform the public about the process, including various communication channels. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:40:40] Planning Staff April Surprenant outlined the extensive public outreach efforts that have been made throughout the planning process. These include public meetings, action committee meetings, community group meetings, and outreach to various groups such as economic development organizations and DHHL communities. They’ve used a variety of channels to promote these meetings, including newspapers, radio stations, social media, and email list serves. While acknowledging that not everyone may be notified at the same time, April Surprenant emphasized the importance of word-of-mouth and social media sharing in spreading the message. She also touched on how climate change has been integrated into the general plan, referencing a 2012 state law requiring counties to address climate change in land use policies and capital improvements. Additionally, the county's 2021-2022 Integrated Climate Action Plan was Page 5 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission December 19, 2024, General Plan Special Meeting Minutes adopted to complement this effort. Regarding the general plan's timeline, April Surprenant explained that the process was supposed to finish in 2018 but was delayed due to unforeseen events like the eruption and Hurricane Lane. New administrations and ongoing public engagement have further impacted the timeline. However, the county council has pressured the team to deliver the plan, and now it will proceed to the council for final decisions. April Surprenant also clarified the various public meeting formats used during the planning process. These included early “charettes” for idea generation, and later open houses and workshops where the public could interact with experts on specific topics like water and infrastructure. Despite varied preferences on meeting formats, she emphasized that multiple opportunities for public input were provided throughout the process. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:42:32] In the discussion, Acting Planning Director Darrow thanked April Surprenant for her responses and requested that she provide a link or information on how people can sign up for notifications about future meetings and access resources related to the general plan. She responded that she would do so, showing how to sign up for notifications via the planning department's website. She then demonstrated where to find the “Stay Informed” section for signing up for emails and emphasized that the page contains valuable resources, including reports and public comments. Acting Planning Director Darrow highlighted that the page offers a wealth of information for reference. April Surprenant also mentioned that the general plan includes policies aimed at streamlining building codes and regulations, with a focus on making housing construction more affordable. She clarified that the county has no control over state land conservation areas as they are already designated for conservation. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:51:38] Chairperson Barbara DeFranco asked if there were any other questions before moving on. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:55:13] Commissioner Donna “Kinuko” Noborikawa requested that at the next meeting, or during an appropriate section, the missing standards from the 2040 plan and the issue of public access and trails, as discussed by Chuck Flaherty, be addressed. She asked for these points to be covered at a later time, as the meeting was running late. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:55:20] Commissioner Dean Au asked about the potential outcome if the current general plan is rejected, specifically if the 2005 version would continue to be used. Planning Staff April Surprenant clarified that the 2005 General Plan is still in effect and would remain so if the new plan isn't adopted. She explained that many policies in the new plan are based on the 2005 version. If the new plan is rejected, future steps would depend on the County Council's direction, and the 2005 plan would still be used, even though it is now 20 years old. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:55:55] Vice Chair Mahina Paishon-Duarte highlighted that at the November meeting, she and a few other Commissioners asked planning staff to explore ways to enhance public outreach, including potentially using County resources. She mentioned that Commissioner Kanuha had suggested adding more road signs in prominent areas to inform the public about the General Plan meetings. Vice Chair Mahina Paishon-Duarte requested that at the January meeting, planning staff provide Page 6 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission December 19, 2024, General Plan Special Meeting Minutes suggestions on how to increase outreach and encourage more public involvement. Chair Barbara DeFranco and April Surprenant discussed the difference between road closure signs, which are typically handled by Civil Defense, and the outreach signs for public meetings. Vice Chair Paishon-Duarte emphasized the need to work with other County departments to find more effective ways to engage the public, acknowledging the resources already invested but noting the public's request for more. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:58:45] Acting Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow discussed the new Administration's active use of social media, noting it could help with public outreach for meetings. He suggested reaching out to the Administration's social media team to assist in promoting meetings for a wider audience. He also addressed Commissioner Noborikawa's question about the general plan's standards, mentioning that there are 115 standards included in the plan, which can be accessed and searched in a downloadable PDF on the website. Additionally, he responded to concerns about public access to historic trails, explaining that the plan includes objectives, goals, and policies in sections such as “active living corridors and public access” to address this issue. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:00:52] Vice Chair Mahina Paishon-Duarte requested that for the next meeting, someone with expertise be asked to explain how the general plan addresses public land trust issues related to Native Hawaiians. She emphasized the importance of clearly highlighting these areas so that members of the Native Hawaiian community can easily understand how the plan meets their concerns. Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula confirmed that the request was about the public land trust for Native Hawaiians. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:03:05] Chair Barbara DeFranco asked which section the Department planned to focus on at the next meeting. Planning Staff April Surprenant responded that the next meeting would be an all-day session. She mentioned that they could continue discussing land use if desired, but if the group was ready to move on, they would begin with transportation and other infrastructure sections of the plan. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:03:59] Chair Barbara DeFranco asked if there were any comments or questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Dean Au responded by expressing frustration, saying he felt unappreciated by the public despite volunteering his time as a commissioner. He shared that he finds it more helpful when testifiers provide constructive suggestions rather than simply criticizing him. He emphasized that he is committed to serving his community and working on behalf of the Big Island but feels overwhelmed at times and could use more support from both fellow Commissioners and the public. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:04:29] Chair Barbara DeFranco expressed appreciation for Commissioner Dean Au's comments, saying she feels similarly when feeling attacked. She emphasized that constructive feedback is important for improving the community, County, and families. DeFranco reiterated the importance of mutual respect, both among the Commissioners and from the public, stressing that while they value public input, it should be given in a way that respects the process they are working within. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:06:09] Page 7 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission December 19, 2024, General Plan Special Meeting Minutes Commissioner Armando Rodrigues suggested that the group was too tired to make decisions effectively and recommended continuing the meeting to avoid making irrational choices. Chair Barbara DeFranco agreed, noting that they were nearing the end of the meeting. She then confirmed that the Commissioners would gather their thoughts and come together for another public meeting on January 16th. Chair Barbara DeFranco expressed appreciation for everyone's time and the effort of those who traveled from Hilo to attend, urging everyone to drive safely. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:06:56] Chair Barbara DeFranco asked if there were any other announcements. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:08:23] ANNOUNCEMENTS Planning Staff Maija Jackson announced that the regular meeting on January 16th is cancelled due to a lack of items on the agenda. However, the General Plan meeting is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. on January 16th and was initially set to end at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the regular meeting. She suggested that the Commission could extend the General Plan meeting to a full day if desired. Chair Barbara DeFranco agreed that a full-day meeting would be beneficial and confirmed with the rest of the Commissioners, who expressed support for the idea. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:08:56] ADJOURNMENT Chair Barbara DeFranco asked for a motion to continue the discussion of the general plan. Commissioner Dean Au moved to continue the discussions to the January 16, 2025, Leeward Planning Commission Special meeting, with Commissioner Donna “Kinuko” Noborikawa seconding the motion. A voice vote was taken with no further discussion, and the motion passed with all in favor, two Commissioners absent and excused. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:09:45] Chairperson Barbara DeFranco adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kelsie Chang Secretary ATTEST: Dean Au, Chairperson Leeward Planning Commission ' . $ # ) " — + - A B v A ? A D @ D w @ A ˜ Nelsie Fhang Dean Au (Apr 23, 2025 17:08 HST)