HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-02 PD PowerPoint (PL-CCI-2026-000017)COUNTY COUNCIL INITIATED
BILL 154 t
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL jjrtt
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PARKING LOTS AND GARAGES
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AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 25 (ZONING),
ARTICLES 1, 55 AND 7 OF THE HAWAI -, I COUNTY
CODE (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED)
COUNTY COUNCIL'S REQUEST
The County Council finds that:
Privately operated commercial parking lots may contribute to
increased vehicle circulation and traffic congestion;
Charging a fee for parking may encourage higher parking turnover
and increased vehicle trips, adding traffic to surrounding streets;
Publicly owned paid parking facilities serve governmental and public
purposes and are distinguishable from privately operated
commercial parking facilities;
Regulating privately operated commercial parking facilities supports
orderly growth and development consistent with the Hawai A County
General Plan; and
Lastly, this regulation does not deprive property owners of all
economically beneficial use of their property, as a range of other
permitted uses remains available.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 25
Section 25-1-5 is amended by revising the definition of
commercial parking lot and garage" as follows:
Commercial parking lot and garage" means any
privately-owned building or parking area designed or
used for temporary paid parking of automotive vehicles
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PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 25
Removes "commercial parking lots and garages" as a
permitted use from the following zoning districts:
CG (General Commercial)
CV (Village Commercial)
MCX (Industrial-Commercial Mixed)
ML (Limited Industrial)
MG (General Industrial)
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 25
Establishes that any privately owned commercial
parking lot or garage lawfully existing prior to the
effective date of the ordinance may continue as a lawful
nonconforming use pursuant to Chapter 25.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT ANALYSIS
The Planning Director finds that:
Commercial parking lots do not maximize the efficient use of
developable land.
Commercial parking facilities may encourage automobile
dependency and inefficient land use patterns.
Large paved parking areas may contribute to stormwater runoff,
urban heat island effects, and other environmental impacts.
Bill 154 is generally consistent with the goals, objectives, and
policies of the Hawai i County General Plan.
Existing lawful commercial parking facilities are preserved through
the ordinance's nonconforming use provisions.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDATION
PROVIDE A FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION
OF BILL 154 TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL
INCLUDING PROPOSED LANGUAGE
OUTLINED IN THE PLANNING DIRECTOR'S
RECOMMENDATION.
RECOMMENDATION #1
Amend Bill 154 to retain "commercial parking lots and garages" as a
permitted use within the Downtown Hilo Commercial District (CDH),
while removing the use as a permitted use from the remaining
zoning districts identified in Bill 154.
Reason: The CDH District's historic development pattern and limited
on-site parking create a reliance on shared parking. Retaining
commercial parking lots and garages as a permitted use supports
the continued accessibility of Downtown Hilo.
RECOMMENDATION #2
Amend Bill 154 by removing "commercial parking lots and garages"
from Chapter 25, Article 5, Division 9, Section 25-5-92(a) (Permitted
Uses) and placing the use within Section 25-5-92(b) (Uses Permitted
by Use Permit), thereby requiring a Use Permit within the Resort-Hotel
V) zoning district.
Reason: While the Department generally supports limiting new
standalone commercial parking facilities, some sites may serve a
demonstrated public need or reflect unique development patterns.
The Use Permit process provides flexibility to evaluate site-specific
impacts before approval.
NEXT STEPS
The Windward and Leeward Planning Commission is required to take
action on Bill 154 by transmitting their recommendation to the
Council by September 5, 2026.
The Planning Commissions shall recommend approval in whole or in
part, with or without modifications, or rejection of the proposed bill,
and the recommendation will be forwarded to the Couny Council for
their consideration and decision.
In the event that the Commission fails to act on the proposed bill by
this date, such inaction shall be considered as an unfavorable
recommendation by the Planning Commission.