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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIndividual Comment - J. Cohen - County General Plan Update 2.21.16GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 1 From: Joel Cohen [mailto:jcohen8@hawaii.rr.com] Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2016 12:53 PM To: Kanuha, Duane <Duane.Kanuha@hawaiicounty.gov> Cc: John Mueller <johnmueller@me.com>; Bugado, Deanne <Deanne.Bugado@hawaiicounty.gov> Subject: County General Plan Aloha Duane, Please accept the attached document and commentary as a personal contribution to the County's update of the 2005 County General Plan. My intentions are primarily to participate in the review and update process. Much of what I am suggesting is likely already on the table. Some items may not be not appropriate for the Plan. Others are of my personal thoughts and suggestions based on whatever experiences that I have had as a 14 year community activist on our island. Feel free to use them in any way that you feel will be of benefit. As a member of the SKCDPAC sub-committee on the General Plan update, protocol dictated that any communication with you be approved by the committee. After months of discussion, we could not come to consensus regarding a mutually agreed upon report of findings. There was consensus approval of the attached format that I created, and I was encouraged to submit my personal input. It is extremely important that public input be maximized in the Plan review process. Long term policies need to be developed that are clear and concise and reflect our island's special values and identity. I suggest utilizing the attached matrix or something similar in the community workshops and discussions with both the private and public sectors. I believe that given the opportunity to at least review the document helps them prepare for more discussion. When reviewing the attached document, please place emphasis on process rather than content. My personal itemized listing could go on and on. There likely is much more to be added. Following is a list of subjects that I feel to be high priority in discussions relating to long term planning: Long term strategic "hold to the plan" planning needed. Government, especially in Hawaii, tends to implement projects short term and at times in a reactionary manner. This applies to all listed categories in the attached. We can not continue to operate on 2-year funding cycles. Decisions need to made seeing the long term big picture--i.e. effects on the environment, efficient and cost effective energy sources, increasing likelihood of natural disasters, recognizing limited availability of "water is life" resources, having the wide scope of infrastructure (at least on the drawing board and assured) in place prior to growth, Policy standards need to be written in an easily understood and concise manner and be consistently adhered to as possible. This not only protects the public interest, but also development interests. It is better for the developer to know what is expected prior to submitting plans rather than go through long term processes which require numerous reviews. GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 2 Our biggest challenge, although not taken as seriously needed by some, is climate change. It will likely have major impact on the overall health of our people, the economy, environment, natural disasters, shoreline protection, roads and highways, etc. Local government has a responsibility to bringing all available resources to the table to create solutions...both short and long term. This includes public private sector partnerships for mutual benefit. It is in the public interest, time wise and cost wise for this to happen. The biggest frustration that I have, and likely others in County government, is the relationship, and frankly control over our destiny, by the State of Hawaii. Our governmental system is at least a bit dysfunctional. There will be a time when "enough is enough". The County needs to have plans in place to be prepared to take over functions currently administered by the State. Examples will likely include water supply, land use, health systems, schools, beach parks, and maybe even some currently administered roads and highways. I'll stop here. There will be more to be discussed by me and others in the next few months. Mahalo for listening. Joel (Cohen) DRAFT The County of Hawaii County requests your input regarding updating and revising the County General Plan. Completing the following document is important to the County’s efforts to develop a plan that is reflective of the overall values and long term needs of our island. Listed items are intended to be in general terms. The revised General Plan is the template for Community Development Plans (CDPs). The CDPs will be specific in nature and be the basis for the scheduling of community forums by CDP Action Committees that will identify and prioritize the special needs of their respective region, revise their regional plans to be in compliance with the General Plan, and subsequently update their regional Capital Improvement Priority List. The following format includes general categories including those used in the 2005 update and new ones that are relevant to our current needs. Please review the matrix for content adding additional items that are needed. Adequate space is provided. Use the left column, as follows, to place priority on the importance of each item to your community. (4) Community discussion indicates that the item is critical to the County and especially important to satisfying our special needs. (3) The item is important to both the County and my community. (2) The item is possibly important pending additional discussion with my community. (1) No opinion or not applicable to my community GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 3 Priority Category Itemized List Economic Wellbeing Develop rural community town centers Create a plan to expand and support local business Create a marketing plan to support local agriculture and ranching Place emphasis on manufacturing and marketing of non-agricultural goods and services Create high tech business parks for a diversified economy Develop high speed internet system accessible to all regions of the County Develop marketing plan for local business and tourist industry Create a strategic plan that facilitates partnerships between government agencies, local business, service clubs, the faith based community, and non-profit organizations Create enterprise zones that provide financial benefits to communities Priority Category Itemized List Education and Training Place emphasis on vocational education and training which leads to job opportunities Partner with local schools to provide lifelong learning skills Establish program to provide knowledge of the Hawaiian cultural and the island’s diverse population Encourage participation in local community school meetings Ensure local input occurs in the planning and construction of new public schools GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 4 Priority Category Itemized List Energy Establish a countywide Joint Energy Commission which initiates and reviews policy, private sector proposals, and ensures local community input in decision making Explore, invest and continually review alternative energy systems which are efficient and lower costs to the public and government Create policy which encourages energy conservation Priority Category Itemized List Environmental Quality Develop and implement a strategic plan with the goal of zero waste Develop comprehensive recycling including green waste at all transfer stations Ensure water quality standards are met Develop strategic plan and organization to prevent and control invasive species Establish policies which protect native species Develop policies which recognize the need to adopt new standards do to climate change Recognize vog as a serious health challenge and create regulations to prevent additional air pollution Priority Category Itemized List Flood Control Require adequate drainage systems in new developments Reinforce and establish a preventative maintenance program for reservoirs, streets and highway systems Create adequate flood control buffer zones for new development in close proximity to creeks and channels GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 5 Priority Category Itemized List Healthy Community Clearly identify and integrate Blue Zone Project principles in community planning, park and recreation facilities and programs, bicycle and pedestrian trails, sidewalks, and safe pedestrian road crossings Ensure that the public has access to medical facilities within a specified distance of their home Develop a strategic plan to prevent, treat, and provide educational materials to schools and the community relating to alcohol and drug use. Priority Category Itemized List Historical and Cultural Sites Protect in perpetuity, historical and cultural sites including cultural landmarks and trails and facilities or properties that are of value to maintaining local community identity Support grassroots community volunteer organizations that focus on protecting historical, cultural sites, and environmental protection causes. Create a strategic plan for tourists and new residents that includes sharing knowledge and understanding of the Island’s history and special cultural characteristics Priority Category Itemized List Housing Ensure that adequate senior independent living and housing facilities and services are available Establish standards to ensure adequate affordable housing is available for low and medium income working families Develop a strategic plan to provide shelter for abused women and children Develop a strategic plan for homeless populations GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 6 Priority Category Itemized List Land Use Ensure that environmental reviews of new developments consider impact on neighboring communities Protect agricultural and ranching land recognizing it as an integral part of the island’s economy Protect and preserve forest and open space conservation areas Allocate land use for new development that does not alter the overall identity of the community Preserve open space and special natural beauty of the island by confining new development in proximity to existing communities Ensure infrastructure including roads, water, waste disposal, and adequate green space are in place prior to new construction Provide height guidelines and restrictions regarding planting trees to in order to mitigate dangers to residents and visitors and protect sight lines Priority Category Itemized List Natural Disaster Recognize that climate change will be an important factor in future planning, prevention and preparedness efforts. Establish a dedicated fund that will be reviewed during the annual budget process to ensure adequate County resources are available. Continue to provide regular emergency response staff training Continue support of local volunteer community support teams GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 7 Priority Category Itemized List Public Facilities Establish easily accessible community 1-stop social services for information and referral Ensure adequate facilities are available for early childhood development and after school programs Encourage the development of multi-purpose community school complexes Ensure adequate water supply, wastewater and solid waste facilities are upgraded to satisfy the needs of a growing population Develop a plan to systematically move for County control of administration, construction, and operations of public water facilities including reservoirs and distribution systems Build new facilities and modify other existing facilities to comply with standards to prevent water, wastewater, solid waste, and air pollution contamination Ensure all new large development require underground utilities Priority Category Itemized List Public Safety Ensure adequate police and fire services staffing based on population density, scope of jurisdiction, and commercial enterprise zones Continue to develop volunteer community emergency response teams Establish a dedicated natural disaster funds budget item to be reviewed annually Police department continue to develop and support neighborhood watch programs Adequately fund the County Prosecutors and Public Defender resources to ensure criminal cases are handled in a timely manner GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 8 Priority Category Itemized List Public Utilities Ensure adequate water supply, wastewater and solid waste facilities and systems are in place prior to development Anticipate population growth and the cost of new or expanded public utility systems Create a water conservation plan that considers continuing population growth Develop a strategic plan and criteria for the development of privately owned facilities and systems Priority Category Itemized List Recreation Establish minimal developer parkland dedication requirements for the construction of pocket, neighborhood, and district parks Build parks and recreation facilities that can be used by all ages Ensure adequate public access to County and State parks and beaches, including parking Encourage community partnerships in building and maintaining neighborhood, special use, and regional parks Develop regional paved bicycle and pedestrian trails linked to shopping centers and public transportation hubs GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 9 Priority Category Itemized List Roads and Highways Develop mauka-makai strategic plan for CIP priority lists Ensure current and new developed communities have adequate ingress and escape routes Work in partnership with the State in building safe roads and highways for intra-island transport of materials and goods Develop and review a strategic plan for maintenance and resurfacing of roads and highways Establish safety standards relating to traffic flow of new construction in close proximity to roads Prevent increases in traffic by requiring new development to include the construction of by- pass roads Require adequate emergency turnouts for current and newly developed roads and highways Ensure County and State roads and highway traffic safety controls comply with uniform standards Provide adequate parking for recognized town centers, newly developed business, and shopping facilities Provide adequate highway and roadside parking for beaches, cultural sites, commonly used tourist attractions, and business districts. Priority Category Itemized List Shoreline Protection Establish standard minimal distance from the shoreline for new development Establish policy which protects natural habitat within a specified area of the shoreline Place restrictions on grubbing and other alterations of the land for new development Ensure adequate public access to the shoreline for fishing, cultural purposes, and recreational use GENERAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS February 21, 2016 Joel Cohen 10 Priority Category Itemized List Transportation Develop a comprehensive countywide integrated bus system that includes transit hubs Make improvements to existing roadways to ensure they are safe for bicycle and pedestrian travel ADDITIONAL COMMENTS WELCOME Name Organization Email THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS