HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-20 Leeward Exh C (Amend Zoning Code Golf Courses)
LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
HEARING TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 20, 2014
PLANNING DIRECTOR INITIATED AMENDMENT
A regularly advertised hearing on the
TO CHAPTER 25 OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE, RELATING TO GOLF COURSES
AND RELATED GOLF COURSE USES
was called to order at 10:19 a.m. in the West Hawai‘i
Civic Center, Community Center, Building G, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona,
Hawai‘i, with Chair Geraldine Giffin presiding.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Geraldine Giffin, Brandi Beaudet, Thomas Hickcox,
Barbara Nobriga and Thomas Whittemore
ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Richard Nelson, III
ALSO PRESENT: Duane Kanuha (Planning Director), Margaret Masunaga (Deputy Corporation
Counsel), Jeff Darrow (Planner), Maija Cottle (Planner), Ron Whitmore (Planner),
Bethany Morrison (Planner) and Noriko Sauer (Commission Secretary)
And one person from the public in attendance.
INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR
Amendments to Chapter 25, Articles 2 and 5 of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as
amended), relating to golf courses and related golf course uses. Amendments will clarify that a Use
Permit to allow golf courses and related uses within certain zoning districts will not be permitted if
the property is situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District, in accordance with the State
Land Use Law.
GIFFIN: Commissioners, we are now on Agenda Item No. 3. This, too, has been initiated by the
Planning Director. He has initiated the following amendments to Chapter 25, the Zoning Code,
Articles 2 and 5 of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983, 2005 Edition, as amended, relating to golf
courses and related golf course uses. Jeff?
DARROW: Thank you, Madam Chair. Similar to our last amendment, this is mainly for
housekeeping purposes. There was, prior to 1985 golf courses were considered a permitted use
within the State Land Use Agricultural District. In about 1984, 1985, our current director had
initiated an amendment to require a Use Permit even if the golf course was located in the State Land
Use Agricultural District, so in the County Zoning it would come in for a Use Permit; so that way
we give the opportunity for the public to testify. In 2005 the Legislature had changed the permitted
uses and made it so that golf courses were prohibited within the State Land Use Agricultural
District. So there currently are no options within the District unless it was permitted prior to July of
2005. What was happening was that there was some confusion in the way our Code was written on
whether or not there were options. And so we wanted to make it extremely clear that there are no
options within the State Land Use Agricultural District. So basically, that’s the summary of the
action that’s happening.
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EXHIBIT C
GIFFIN: Thank you, Jeff. Commissioners, any questions? The recommendation is located on
Page 6 of your background report. And I’m ready to entertain a motion.
BEAUDET: Madam Chair?
GIFFIN: Brandi.
BEAUDET: I move for a favorable recommendation to the Hawai‘i County Council regarding this
bill relating to golf courses and golf driving ranges.
GIFFIN: Do I hear a second?
HICKCOX: Second.
GIFFIN: It’s been moved by Commissioner Brandi Beaudet and Commissioner Tommy Hickcox
that we forward a favorable recommendation to the Hawai‘i County Council regarding this bill
relating to golf courses and golf driving ranges.
DARROW: Thank you, Madam Chair.
GIFFIN: You’re welcome.
DARROW: With that, we’ll take the roll call. Commissioner Beaudet?
BEAUDET: Aye.
DARROW: Commissioner Hickcox?
HICKCOX: Aye.
DARROW: Commissioner Nobriga?
NOBRIGA: Aye.
DARROW: Commissioner Whittemore?
WHITTEMORE: Aye.
DARROW: And Madam Chair?
GIFFIN: Aye.
DARROW: The motion passes, five to zero.
GIFFIN: Thank you.
DARROW: Thank you.
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EXHIBIT C
GIFFIN: I did forget to say for the record that no one, Jeff, had signed up to testify regarding
Agenda Item No. 3.
The discussion ended at 10:23 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Noriko Sauer, Secretary
Leeward Planning Commission
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EXHIBIT C