HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 26, 2015 FINAL SC MinutesWilliam P. Kenoi
Mayor
County of Hawaii
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Duane Kanuha
Director
Bobby Command
Deputy Director
HAMAKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice -Chairperson Farrah -Marie Gomes called the Hamakua Community Development Plan (HCDP)
Steering Committee to order at 8:46 a.m. at the Papa`ikou Community Center in Papa`ikou.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Brad Kurokawa, Farrah -Marie Gomes, Glenn Carvalho, Lorraine Mendoza, and
Craig Neff.
Members Absent: Ku`ulei Badua, Scott Enright, Jason Moniz, and Ka`iulani Pahi`6.
Staff. LeAna Gloor — Hamakua CDP Project Manager, Planner, Ron Whitmore — Hawai`i County
Planner, Keiko Mercado — Hamakua CDP Planning Assistant, and Bob Agres — HACBED.
Members of the public: 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Kurokawa moved to accept the February 3, 2015 minutes as submitted. Second by Ms. Mendoza.
Motion passed with S votes aye and 0 votes nay.
MEETING OVERVIEW:
Ms. Gomes (Vice -Chair) provided an overview of the meeting, including an explanation of the purpose
and scope of the CDP, the roles of the Steering Committee, and the meeting agenda.
The purpose and scope of the CDP is as follows:
• Implement the broad goals within the General Plan on a regional basis [and] translate the broad
General Plan statements to specific actions.
• Serve as the forum for community input into... coordinating the delivery of government
services to the community.
• Direct land use, zoning, growth, development and design.
• Plan for watersheds and other natural features.
• Direct public improvements, including infrastructure, public facilities, transportation, drainage,
and recreation.
The roles and responsibility of the Steering Committee continue to be:
• To help the County tailor the planning process to the unique characteristics of Hamakua and its
stakeholders.
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
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• Promote the planning process within the community to maximize participation while
maintaining an objective, approachable posture in the community.
• Monitor the development of the CDP to ensure that the best interests of the Hamakua region as
a whole are incorporated.
Role of the Steering Committee during this Draft Review Workshop:
• Maintain an objective viewpoint throughout the review process;
• Understand the contents of the CDP;
• Verify the CDP draft represents the Community's Vision and Objectives;
• Suggest revision of policies as appropriate;
• Prepare to answer questions and help community members navigate and understand the CDP;
• Prepare to have an active role in Phase 2, the Community Review Process
Ms. Gloor went over the timeline and next steps for the Hamakua CDP pointing out key decision
points:
• Affirm the draft CDP strategies for community review;
• Review community input;
• Recommend approval of CDP
Ms. Gloor introduced Bob Agres from HACBED who will be working as the facilitator during this
review phase and the community review phase that follows.
Mr. Agres outlined the process for the Steering Committees Review of the Preliminary Working Draft:
• Step 1 will consist of a review of the preliminary strategies. The September 26, 2015 and
October 10, 2015 meetings are dedicated to ensuring that Steering Committee members have a
complete understanding of the "Preliminary Working Draft" CDP. These meetings will include
presentations, questions from the Steering Committee, and short activities to assess members'
understanding. The presentations will provide an overview of the "Preliminary Working Draft"
CDP, including sections focused on:
o The types of CDP strategies, their legal applicability, and roles in their implementation
o How the draft CDP strategies were identified
o Draft strategies related to community infrastructure and services, including water,
roads, mass transit, emergency facilities and services, solid waste, schools, libraries, and
parks
o Draft strategies related to economic development, including regional coordination,
workforce development, local purchasing, agriculture, renewable energy, payment for
ecosystem services, health and wellness, education and research, visitors, and retail
o Draft strategies to advance preferred conservation and settlement patterns, including the
land use policy map, land use permitting, and commercial, industrial, and resort areas
o Draft strategies for natural and cultural resource management, including the expansion
of preserves, ecosystem management, cultural resource management, access and trail
management, and land use policy to protect coastal areas, agricultural land, scenic areas,
and mauka forests
Steering Committee concerns, suggestions for improvement, areas for discussion, and requests for
additional information or stakeholder input will be logged and saved for Step 2 (Discussion and
consideration of potential revisions, affirmation of the revised Draft CDP for Community Review, and
agreement on the Community Review Process.)
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Ms. Gomes reviewed the Aloha Etiquette and opened the floor to public testimony.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
There was no public comment at this time.
BUSINESS:
Overview of the "Preliminary Working Draft" of the Hamakua CDP:
Ms. Gloor reiterated that the goal of this agenda item is to ensure that all Steering Committee
members have a complete understanding of the "Preliminary Working Draft" CDP and reminded
the Steering Committee that the CDP was developed through extensive community and stakeholder
engagement which resulted in the following documents:
• Hamakua Community Profile (2010)
• Values and Vision Statement (2011)
• Hamakua proposed Strategies for Consideration (2011)
• Community Objectives (2013)
• Draft Analysis Documents (2014)
Ms. Gloor continued by explaining the three documents the Steering Committee would be using
during the meeting:
• CDP Draft — Concise document that includes all the strategies
• CDP Rationale Document — More comprehensive document that includes the Policies and
Kokua Actions with their explanations — but does not include Community Actions
• CDP Community Action Guide — Includes the Community Actions and background
information to help the community implement the actions.
Ms. Gloor emphasized that this is a preliminary working draft and that revisions are expected based
on Steering Committee feedback as well as Community feedback. She went on to provide a
detailed explanation of the structure and navigation of the Draft CDP document, using a projected
electronic version. Ms. Gloor emphasized the importance of Section 2, Applicability, which states
the purpose of the CDP, the CDPs relationship with the Hawaii County General Plan, the types of
strategies that govern the CDP, and their roles in implementation.
There are two types of County Policies:
• Land Use Polices — the official land use policy guidance for the Hamakua CDP planning
area and shall be implemented though all County of Hawaii actions.
• County Actions — the official County policies to guide future County priorities and
initiatives, including operating and capital budgets.
Because none of the Hamakua Community Objectives can be achieved by the County alone, there
are two additional types of Strategies:
• Kokua Actions — actions that would help advance CDP Objectives, but are within the
jurisdiction of non -County governmental agencies or other entities.
• Community Actions — community-based, collaborative actions are initiatives that must be
led by the community with support from a broad range of organizations and agencies.
Section 5 Overview
Mr. Agres outlined the process — after Ms. Gloor provides an overview of Section 5, the SC will
have the opportunity to ask any quick clarifying questions that can be easily addressed. After
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clarifying questions are answered, the SC will participate in a "walkabout" activity where each SC
member will be asked to identify additional questions and concerns.
Ms. Gloor provided an overview of Section 5 — Strengthen Infrastructure, Facilities, and Services.
Infrastructure includes water systems, roadway networks, mass transit emergency facilities,
environmental management facilities, and educational and park facilities. Ms. Gloor used an
interactive map of the Hamakua planning area to show where the proposed infrastructure will or
could be located.
Ms. Gloor answered additional clarifying questions.
Break
Steering Committee "Walkabout" Exercise
Mr. Agres explained the walkabout exercise to the Steering Committee. For each strategy listed in
Section 5, Steering Committee members were to indicate on charts which were posted on the walls,
which proposed policies they understood, and which they did not. If there were questions,
concerns, or additional informational needs, Steering Committee members were to write these on
Post -it notes, along with their initials, and place them on the respective policy chart. The public
was also invited to participate in a walkabout activity separate from the Steering Committee.
Following this exercise, Mr. Agres facilitated a question and answer session based on the questions
written on Post -it notes by Steering Committee members and the public.
Break for Lunch
Ms. Gloor, Mr. Agres and Mr. Whitmore continued to answer clarifying questions that were
written on Post -it notes by Steering Committee members and members of the public.
Ms. Gomes facilitated a discussion with the Steering Committee to determine which questions,
concerns or additional informational should be documented and discussed in detail during Business
Item 92 of the meeting.
Section 6 Overview
Ms. Gloor provided an overview of Section 6 — Build a Sustainable, Local Economy. Most of
Section 6 is organized by sectors — local agriculture, health and wellness services, creative,
education and research, place -based visitor, local retail and town centers, and green industries.
Ms. Gloor explained that there is little Hawaii County can do in terms of promoting economic
development, primarily just land use control and infrastructure. Economic development is
interwoven throughout the CDP and is largely dependent on collaborative Community and K61cua
actions.
Section 6.1— Coordinate Regional Economic Development; guides the implementation of
regional economic development strategies, including an education, enterprise development, and
research network and regional strategies to increase "buying local."
Section 6.2 — Strengthening Local Agriculture; guides efforts to strengthen the local agriculture
value chain, including agricultural land acquisition, agricultural parks and water systems, the
diversification of agriculture -based businesses on agricultural land, and agricultural tourism.
Section 6.3 — Expand Health and Wellness Industry; guides the efforts to increase the health
and wellness industry.
Section 6.4 — Promote the Creative, Education, & Research Sector; guides the development of
a regional education, enterprise development, and research network.
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Section 6.5 — Develop a Place -Based Visitor Industry; Guides the development of a regional
ho`okipa network — a place -based approach to community tourism.
Section 6.6 — Revitalize Local Retail & Hamakua's Town Centers; guides regional strategies to
increase "buying local" and revitalizing the Planning Area's commercial centers.
Section 6.7 — Encourage Green Industries; guides sustainable, ecologically sensitive
approaches to economic development.
Section 6.8 — Preserve Informal Economies and Living off the Land; preserves traditional
subsistence living, reciprocity arrangements, and opportunities to live off the land.
Ms. Gloor answered additional clarifying questions.
Steering Committee "Walkabout" Exercise
The Steering Committee completed a walkabout exercise for Section 6. Following the completion
of the walkabout exercise, Mr. Agres facilitated a question and answer session based on the
questions written on Post -it notes by Steering Committee members and the public.
Ms. Gomes facilitated a discussion with the Steering Committee to determine which questions,
concerns or additional informational from Section 6 should be documented and discussed in detail
during Business Item 92 of the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
There was no public comment at this time.
MOTION TO CONTINUE:
Ms. Mendoza moved to recess the September 26th meeting and continue it at 8: 30am on Saturday,
October 10th at Honoka'a High School Cafeteria. Second by Mr. Neff. Motion passed with S votes aye
and 0 votes nay. The meeting recessed at 3: 46pm.
CONTINUANCE: October 10, 2015
Vice -Chairperson Farrah -Marie Gomes called the Hamakua Community Development Plan (HCDP)
Steering Committee to order at 8:45 a.m. at Honoka`a High School Cafeteria. She noted that this was
a continuation of the September 26, 2015 meeting and that the committee would be continuing with
Business Item 91: Discussion of and Recommendations for the "Preliminary Working Draft" of the
Hamakua CDP.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Brad Kurokawa, Farrah -Marie Gomes, Glenn Carvalho, Lorraine Mendoza, Jason
Moniz, and Craig Neff. Ka`iulani Pahi`6 arrived at 1:20pm.
Members Absent: Ku`ulei Badua, and Scott Enright were absent. Ka`iulani Pahi`6 were absent.
Staff LeAna Gloor — Hamakua CDP Project Manager, Planner, Ron Whitmore — Hawai`i County
Planner. Keiko Mercado — Hamakua CDP Planning Assistant, and Bob Agres — HACBED.
Members of the public: 2
MEETING OVERVIEW:
Ms. Gomes (Vice -Chair) provided an overview of the meeting, including an explanation of the purpose
and scope of the CDP, the roles of the Steering Committee and the meeting agenda.
Ms. Gloor reviewed the timeline and next steps for the Hamakua CDP, and briefly outlined the content
that would be covered.
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Ms. Gomes reviewed the Steering Committees Aloha Etiquette and opened the floor to public
testimony.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Jim Cain from Waipi`o testified on behalf of himself in regards to the Draft CDP. He began by
stating his appreciation for the Steering Committees dedication and all the hard work put in by the
entire team. There are many changes occurring in Waipi`o already and a balance needs to be
maintained. He named several organizations that would be important to collaborate with, and who
would be instrumental in the implementation of the CDP actions. In addition, he provided written
testimony with specific comments related to Waipi`o Valley (see page 10).
BUSINESS:
Continuation of the "Overview of the "Preliminary Working Draft" of the Hamakua CDP":
Mr. Agres reiterated the process for the Steering Committees Review of the Preliminary
Working Draft and reviewed that the September 26th meeting covered strategies in Sections 5
and 6. Today's meeting will conclude the review of strategies in the remaining sections (3 & 4)
and identify questions, concerns and additional informational needs. The next step would be to
confirm the Draft CDP is ready for community review, followed by an agreement on the best
way to present the Draft CDP to the community for their input and comment.
Ms. Gloor reviewed the organization of the CDP binders and reminded the Steering Committee
that the points identified for further discussion from this meeting will be added to the list from
the September 26th meeting and will be discussed at the next meeting.
Steering Committee members had questions on the structure of the document relating to
additional links being included and the different versions of the Draft as it changes. Ms. Gloor
acknowledged the importance of the questions and provided answers. She also assured the
Steering Committee that any questions that may come up would definitely be noted and
addressed.
Mr. Agres explained that today's meeting would follow the same process as the September 26th
meeting:
• Overview of the Section
• Answer quick clarifying questions
• Walkabout exercise
• Discuss questions to determine which need to be brought back at the next meeting.
Section 3 Overview
Ms. Gloor provided an overview of Section 3 — Preferred Land Use & Settlement Patterns. This
section uses Land Use Policies to focus future residential development in existing villages, towns,
and subdivisions, and seeks to preserve larger -lot productive agricultural lands for agriculture by
accommodating rural development close to urban centers. It also guides future lands use
permitting to be consistent with CDP objectives and policies. Ms. Gloor reviewed some basic land
use terms and reminded the Steering Committee that the two main reasons to control land use is to
ensure public health and safety and to create spaces to thrive in, in order to ensure quality of life.
She thanked Mr. Neff for bringing forth the idea of "what is good for the land, is good for the
people" (`O ka mea kupono `dina ka mea kupono kanaka). This idea should resonate throughout
the plan.
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Questions posed by Steering Committee members regarding land use, permitting and zoning were
answered by the planning team to ensure understanding.
Ms. Gloor continued by providing information on land use policy, including the differences in
jurisdiction between the State and the County, an explanation of zoning, and the different types of
permitting. She also explained the General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG)
map and its various designations. Land Use Guidance is covered in the following way:
• The CDP guides land use through the official Land use Policy map for Polices 1, 2, 3, 4;
5, & 11.
• The CDP provides guidance for variances and zoning code amendments in Policies 7, 8,
& 10.
• The CDP guides land use decisions for future industrial areas in Policy 6.
Ms. Gloor answered additional clarifying questions.
Break
Ms. Gloor answered additional clarifying questions.
Steering Committee "Walkabout" Exercise
Mr. Agres detailed the walkabout exercise for the Steering Committee, reiterating that clarifying
questions and questions that require additional information should be written on the Post -it notes
available and posted by the respective policies. Community members in attendance were also
invited to participate in a walkabout exercise.
The Steering Committee completed a walkabout exercise for Section 3. Following the completion
of the walkabout exercise, Mr. Agres facilitated a question and answer session based on the
questions written on Post -it notes by Steering Committee members and the public. Ms. Gloor
answered clarifying questions and compiled a list of questions that require additional information.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
There was no public comment at this time.
Section 4 Overview
Ms. Gloor provided an overview of Section 4 — Protect and Enhance Natural and Cultural
Resources. This section guides the expansion of lands held in public trust, supports landowners
establishing conservation and agricultural easements and suing agricultural and forestry land
preservation programs, and encourages natural Area Reserves to pursue acquisition priorities. Ms.
Gloor identified that the County's primary role over resource protection is regulation — zoning,
setbacks etc. Some tools utilized for resource protection are incentives (e.g. tax incentives,
conservation easements), acquisition (e.g. The Nature Conservancy), private covenants (e.g.
covenants), community based actions and regulations. Ms. Gloor also touched on Conservation
Easements and Special Management Areas (SMA). Section 4 overview was covered in two
segments because of the amount of content within the section; however, it is important to
remember that each of the sections extensively overlap one another.
Sections 4.1— 4.6
Section 4.1— Expand the Local System of Preserves — Guides the expansion of lands held in
public trust, supports landowners establishing conservation and agricultural easements and
using agriculture and forestry land preservation programs, and encourages Natural Area
Reserves to pursue acquisition priorities.
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Section 4.2 — Protect Coastal Resources — protects coastal resources with the CDP Land Use
Policy Map, shoreline setbacks, the Special Management Area, and encourages the State to
strengthen protections and the community voice in land use decisions.
Section 4.3 — Protect Agricultural Lands & Open Space — protects agricultural land and open
space from non-agricultural development with the CDP Land Use Policy Map, stronger farm
dwelling regulations, minimum lot sizes, tax incentive programs, development of transfer of
development rights, land bank programs, and State Important Agricultural Land designations.
Section 4.4 — Protect Mauka Forests — protects mauka forests from development with the CDP
Land Use Policy map.
Section 4.5 — Preserve Scenic Areas and Viewsheds — protects open space, areas with natural
beauty, and scenic viewsheds with permitting controls and by prioritizing viewshed regulations,
scenic overlooks, and scenic routes.
Section 4.6 — Protect and Enhance Ecosystems and Watersheds — encourages the collaborative
development and implementation of resource management plans, and the enforcement
necessary to protect ecosystems.
Steering Committee "Walkabout" Exercise
The Steering Committee completed a walkabout exercise for Sections 4.1 — 4.6. Following the
completion of the walkabout exercise, Mr. Agres facilitated a question and answer session based on
the questions written on Post -it notes by Steering Committee members and the public. Ms. Gloor
answered clarifying questions and compiled a list of questions that require additional information.
Break
Before continuing with Section 4, Ms. Gloor referred back to Section 3 to be sure all Steering
Committee members are comfortable and familiar with the proposed LUPAG maps. Using the
Rational Section in the Draft CDP binder, Steering Committee members were able to compare
existing LUPAG mags with the proposed LUPAG maps. Steering Committee members were
encouraged to contact Ms. Gloor should they come have any additional questions/comments
regarding the LUPAG maps.
Ms. Gloor then continued with the overview of Section 4:
Sections 4.7 — 4.9
Section 4.7 — Protect and Enhance Cultural Assets — prioritizes the preservation of
historic building and roads and the development of historic streetscapes and rural road
standards, also guides community -led efforts.
Section 4.8 — Establish and Manage Public Access and Trails — directs appropriate public
access to the shoreline and mauka forests, guides community -led access management, and
prioritizes a County public access program.
Section 4.9 — Preserving Sacred Places: Waipi`o Valley and Mauna Kea — Identifies
Waipi`o Valley and Mauna Kea as sacred places needing special attention.
Steering Committee "Walkabout" Exercise
The Steering Committee completed a walkabout exercise for Sections 4.7 — 4.9. Following the
completion of the walkabout exercise, Ms. Gloor, Mr. Agres and Mr. Whitmore discussed
questions written on Post -it notes by Steering Committee members and the public. Ms. Gloor
answered clarifying questions and compiled a list of questions that require additional information.
This additional information will be brought back to the Steering Committee for discussion during
the next continued meeting.
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FUTURE MEETINGS:
Ms. Gloor facilitated a conversation with the Steering Committee to determine a specific date, time,
and place to continue the meeting. The continued meeting would be a facilitated discussion organized
around the concerns, suggestions for improvement, areas for discussion, and additional information
previously identified during Business Item 91.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
There was no public comment at this time.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None
MOTION TO CONTINUE:
Ms. Mendoza moved to recess the meeting and continue it to 10: 00am on Saturday, November]4th at
Laupahoehoe Library Humanities Room. Second by Ms. Pahi'o. Motion passed with 6 votes aye and
0 votes nay. The meeting recessed at 4: 51pm.
NOTE: The September 26th meeting was originally continued to October 10th and later continued to
November 14th. Due to lack of quorum, the November 14' continued meeting was cancelled. With
the cancellation on November 14th, the original September 26th meeting has officially closed and a new
agenda (reflecting the unfinished business of the September 26th agenda) has been generated for a
November 21' 2015 meeting.
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Written Testimony from Jim Cain — October 10, 2015
Pg. 22 1.6.2 Challenges
Limited capture of high volume visitor traffic (this is not necessarily bad)
Pg. 26 Objective 13 Promote appropriate? Community accepted rural tourism that welcomes guests for an
alternative visitor experience but does not have a negative impact on the host community as it pertains to
privacy, public safety and appropriate public infrastructure.
Pg. 50 Land Use Policy Policy 14 *An assessment of existing or proposed improvements to access roads as it
pertains to public safety and carrying capacity of access roads.
Pg. 61 Policy 41 7. Collaborate with the Waipi`o Valley community in implementing the Waipi`o valley
Stream Management Plan
Pg. 66 Policy 48 "shall establish responsible public access.... Such public access shall include host community
in planning, implementation and maintenance activities and must be managed for public safety, carrying
capacity and the promoting of traditional values.
Pg. 68 Policy 52 ...and create a resource protection overlay and regulations that will protect Waipi`o's natural
resources, preserve Waipi`o's storied past and perpetuate its agricultural traditions and unique rural lifestyle.
• Collaborate with the Waipi`o Valley community to develop a long range management plan for Waipi`o
that addresses public access, carrying capacity, resource management and potential funding sources for
on-going maintenance of streams and roads.
Pg. 68 Policy 52 *Support community organizations such as the Waipi`o Community Circle, The Waipi`o Taro
Farmers Assoc., and Ha Ola O Waipi`o Valley in developing and implementing a community-based watershed
plan based on the Waipi`o Valley streams and roads.
Pg. 68 Policy 55 Such a route must be designated as to minimize impacts related to Waipi`o Valley as it
pertains to view plane, light and noise pollution, and must be evaluated for impacts to the carrying capacity of
Waipi`o Access Road.
Pg. 68 Policy 57 Enforce existing zoning and SMA laws pertaining to conducting visitor industry activities on
agriculturally zoned laws.
Pg. 69 Policy 58 Waipi`o Valley Heritage Center
Pg. 69 Policy 59 Heritage Center
Pg. 73 Policy 60 Waipi`o Valley Heritage Center
Pg. 80 Policy 85 Include Waipi`o Valley on the County Flood Map
Pg. 88 Policy 105
• Establish a county level Department of Agriculture to implement the County of Hawaii Ag
Development Plan
Pg. 91 Policy 111
• Will not have a negative impact on the host rural community relating to privacy, public safety and rural
lifestyle.
Pg. 91 Policy 112 With appropriate zoning?
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