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Home My WebLink AboutStrong Communities & Towns HandoutStrong Communities & Towns Strong Character: Heritage & History Objective 4: Protect and nurture Hamakua's social and cultural diversity and heritage assets, including sacred places, historic si and buildings, and distinctive plantation towns. Objective 2:...Protect and enhance viewscapes and open space L11UL exemplify Hamdkua-s rural character. WHAT HAMAKUA SAID "Building and development guidelines and restrictions to etain Hamakua's ambience." "Opportunities to nurture traditional arts and culture." Existing Policies & Plans Challenges Ir CDP Value -Added • Subdivision code requires consideration of • Substantial Rural Sprawl — primarily • Use County code and code variances to preserve archeological and historic sites (HCC 23-26), in homestead areas (smaller town character (Policy 3, 7, 10, 13), • General Plan prioritizes centralizing urban agricultural parcels that are more . Support and partner in the development of town development (GP 14.3.3. (b); 14.13(j), often rural than productive ag), plans (Policy 15, Community Action 1), 14.3.5.3.2 (a), 14.3.5.4.2(a)), • Former plantation towns often suffer . Ensure County facility design consistent with • General Plan prioritizes place -appropriate from population decline, aging surrounding character (Policy 64), commercial development (GP 14.3.3 (f))- commercial structures, & business closures; •Adopt/use place -appropriate road designs to preserve 14.3.5.3.2 (c); rural character (Policy 74, 75); • Cultural Resource Commission; • More land is available and affordable on agriculturally zoned lands than . Promote heritage through heritage corridors, • Historic Designations (State, National, etc.), within towns, festivals, and identification of significant sites (Policy • Heritage Centers (NHERC, the proposed46, • Lack of architectural review or design 47, 121, Kokua Action 73). Waipi`o Valley Heritage Center). guidelines for heritage towns; Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info 1 Strong Bones: Infrastructure Objective 5: Direct future settlement patterns that are sustainable and connected. Honor Hamakua's historic and cultural assets by concentrating new development in existing, walkable, mixed-use town centers while limiting rural sprawl. Objective 7: Establish a rural transportation network that includes improving roadway alternatives to Highway 19, expanding and improving the existing transit system, and encouraging multiple transportation options. Objective 6: Develop and improve critical community infrastructure, including utilities, healthcare, emergency services, affordable housing, educational opportunities and recreational facilities to keep our 'ohana safe, strong, and healthy. WHAT HAMAKUA SAID "Keep scenic character of place when developing highways and bridges." "Improved public transit." "Bicycle paths and safe walking paths." Existing Policies & Plans Challenges CDP Value -Added • General Plan prioritizes centralizing • Limited county water in some • Guide water system improvements to priority infrastructure urban development (GP 14.3.3. (b); urban areas (Honokaa, Hakalau- areas, i.e., existing urban areas (Policy 80), 14.13(j), 14.3.5.3.2 (a), 14.3.5.4.2(a)), Wailea, and Pepe'ekeo), . Guide regulatory decisions to keep urban development • General Plan prioritizes place- • Current LUPAG allows for compact, with the appropriate density for walkable appropriate commercial development expansive urban growth onto neighborhoods close to services (Policy 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13), ((GP 14.3.3 (f); 14.3.5.3.2 (c)); surrounding ag lands that lack . Pursue funding opportunities for rural infrastructure • General Plan prioritizes multi -modal infrastructure and services, improvements (Policy 63, 71, Community Action 4, 26 ); transportation planning (GP 13.1.3(e)), • Limited connectivity, alternative . Guide road connectivity improvements and alternative route • County Bridge Replacement Program, routes, and mass transit options, development (Policy 57, 66, 72, 73), • Complete Street Program/County Multi- ' Aging infrastructure (esp. bridges) . Supports the development of County capacity for proactive, modal Plan under development, leaves communities vulnerable to transportation planning (Policy 67, 76), infrastructure failures, Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info 2 • State/County CIP, • Road Improvements through Self -Help Program (County Res. No. 320-10), • Bike Plan Hawaii, • Statewide Pedestrian Master Plan (DOT), • Hawaii Statewide Transportation Plan, • Kona CDP Connectivity Standards, • Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Program, • County Cooperative Park Management Programs, • Na Ala Hele Statewide Trail and Access System, • State Comp. Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). • Roadway maintenance and ownership conflicts (including Roads -in -Limbo); • COH Parks Dept. maintains Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp (damaged and closed since 2009), "Better roads... a safe highway system and bridges." • Implement a Complete Streets Program /Improve bicycle and pedestrian options / Safe Routes to School (Policy 68, 75, Kokua Action 50, 59, 60, 61, Community Action 35), • Advocate for Highway Improvements (Kokua Action 48, 49, 50, 51), • Pursue management agreements for high priority private roads (Community Action 27), • Adopt/use place -appropriate road designs to preserve rural character (Policy 74, 75), • Prioritize improvements to: • Mass transit and commuter facilities and services (Policy 77, 78, 79, Community Action 28), • Recreation facilities/parks (Policy 100, 101, 102, 53), • Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp (Policy 53), • Substandard bridges and substandard roads —e.g., roads in limbo. (Policy 69, 70), • Prioritize the development of a system of trails, walking and biking (Policy 103 — see also Public Access/Trails section); • Support continued & expanded joint -use of County and DOE facilities (Policy 99, Kokua Action 57). Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info 3 Strong Economies Objective 8: Promote, preserve and enhance a diverse, sustainable, local economy. Objective 9: Encourage the increase and diversity of employmen and living options for residents, including living wage jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities that allow residents to work and shop close to home and that complement Hamakua's ecology, rural character, and cultural heritage. • General Plan prioritizes centralizing urban development (GP 14.3.3. (b); 14.13(j), 14.3.5.3.2 (a), 14.3.5.4.2(a)), • General Plan prioritizes place - appropriate commercial development (GP 14.3.3 (f); 14.3.5.3.2 (c)); • General Plan prioritizes multi -modal transportation planning, • General Plan recognizes need to identify sites for future industrial activities (GP 14.4.5.9.2 (a), 14.4.5.2.2 (b); 14.4.5.3.2 (a), 14.4.5.2 (a)). "More local jobs that provide a `living wage' so people can provide for their families without having three jobs." • Planning Area towns have declined in population, businesses, and services, • Hamakua products/destinations not a familiar `brand', • Towns often lack broadband service / limited cell connectivity, • Planning Area lacks ability to capture visitor dollars — remains primarily a pass-through scenic area for visitors, • High land values favor development over agriculture, • Former industrial sites not being redeveloped, loss of industry, loss of adequate industrial land designations WHAT HAMAKUA SAID ipport and grow small businesses. ey are the core of the community, �eping it alive and making it more vibrant, social and culturally preserved." • Support the development of town revitalization plans (Policy 15, Community Action 1), • Collaborate to bring broadband service to towns (Policy 106, Kokua Action 63 Community Action 40) , • Develop a distinct identity for Hamakua/support production and marketing of local products (Policy 108, 112, 113, 114, 117, Community Action 41, 44,45), • Promote place -appropriate visitor industry (Policy 118,119, 120, 121), • Provide technical assistance for small business loans and training opportunities (Policy 117, 125, Kokua Action 72, Community Action 48), • Promote place -appropriate visitor industry via the heritage corridor (Policy 122, 123, Policy 57, Kokua Action 10, 11, 73, Community Action 50, 51), • Provide guidance and allow flexibility for industrial land use designations (Policy 6, 12, 124). Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info 4 Strong Communities Objective 6: Develop and improve critical community infrastructure, including utilities, healthcare, emergency services, affordable housing, educational opportunities and recreational facilities to keep our 'ohana safe, strong, and healthy. WHAT HAMAKUA SAID "County staffed fire station within to miles." "Affordable housing for residents." Existing Policies & Plans Challenges CDP Value -Added • Recreational Facilities with programs in most . Lack of affordable housing in . Guide the development and implementation of an communities (including senior/youth, and Planning Area, affordable housing plan (within existing villages, seek educational, programs), . Planning Area vulnerable to natural creative tax amendments to help support program) • County Zero Waste Goals (and HRS Section disaster and severe storm events; (Policy 65, Kokua Action 47), 342G), . Lack of updated flood mapping for • Promote self-help housing programs/projects • County Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan, riverine areas, (Community Action 25) • Local CERT and Community Police programs, . Aging population impacts, decline in . Promote/increase waste reduction and recycling younger residents impacting efforts (Policy 81, 82, 84, 85, Kokua Action 75, • Flood Mapping (FIRM); economy, programs, facilities, Community Action 29, 30), • USDA Rural Development: •Some towns and many of the rural . Improve emergency planning (shelter improvements, o Community Connect Program, areas lack cell or broadband harden community facilities) (Policy 87, 88, 89, Kokua 0 Broadband Initiatives Program, connectivity, Action 52, 53), o Distance Learning and Telemedicine • Lack of greenwaste and limited • Increase the number of CERT and Volunteer Loan and Grant Program. recycling options within Planning Firefighting teams and general firefighting capacity Area. (Policy 87, 92, 96, 97, Community Action 32, 33), Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info 5 "Flood control." "More Community Police • Develop mitigation and evacuation plans for Waipi'o Valley and Laupahoehoe Point, seek to provide emergency telephones (Policy 90, 91, Community Action 31 ), • Improve flood regulations (Policy 93), • Expand community policing programs and police presence in Planning Area (Policy 94, 95, Community Action 34), • Expand aging -in-place options and wellness network (Policy 98, Community Action 47), Officers." Support rural health services/programs, including mobile services (Kokua Action 54, 55, 56), • Coordinate community management of appropriate municipal facilities (Policy 104, Community Action 37, 38). Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info 6