PUBLIC NOTICE
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE
COUNTY OF HAWAI’I GENERAL PLAN
PLANNING DIRECTOR
COUNTY OF HAWAI’I
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Director is initiating a comprehensive review of the County of Hawai’i General Plan (2005 edition, as amended) on February 6, 2015, pursuant to sections 3-15 and 6-7.2(b)(2) of the Charter of the County of Hawai’i and section 16.1 of the General Plan.
Pursuant to General Plan section 16.1(3), the Planning Director establishes
June 6, 2015 as the deadline for Council-initiated amendments during the comprehensive review. During that time, the County Council may initiate amendments by resolution.
The general public, the Action Committees for each adopted Community Development Plan (CDP), and the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions have the opportunity to provide their comments and suggestions to the Planning Director by June 6, 2015. Correspondence should be sent to Planning Department, County of Hawai’i, 101 Pauahi St., Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720.
Pursuant to section 3-15 of the Charter, the purpose of the General Plan is to set forth the County Council’s policy for long-range comprehensive physical development of the County. No public improvement or project, or subdivision or zoning ordinance, shall be initiated or adopted unless it conforms to and implements the General Plan.
Pursuant to Hawai’i Revised Statutes (HRS) section 226-58 and section 3-15 of the County Charter, the scope of the General Plan includes these elements:
Environmental: natural resources conservation; preservation of natural beauty, open spaces, and scenic and historic resources; public access; drainage control; air pollution; climate change; sustainability
Community: desirable density of population, urban design, infrastructure (water, waste, transportation, public buildings), affordable/ public housing, safety/ criminal justice, utilities and telecommunications, energy, health, education, social services, culture
Economic: population growth, agriculture, tourism, information industry, federal expenditures.
In addition, the General Plan shall address the unique problems and needs of the County and such matters as may be beneficial to the social, economic, and governmental conditions and trends and shall be designed to assure the coordinated development of the County and to promote the general welfare and prosperity of its people.
Pursuant to HRS section 226-58 and section 3-15 of the County Charter, the General Plan includes objectives, policies, and implementation actions, including land use maps, programs, projects, regulatory measures, standards/ principles, and interagency coordination.
Pursuant to Hawai’i Revised Statutes section 226-58, the General Plan shall be formulated on the basis of sound rationale, data, analyses, and input from State and County agencies and the general public.
The sequence of events for comprehensive review of the General Plan will generally be as follows:
Phase 1, Initial Input: February 6 – June 6, 2015
Phase 2, Planning Director Review of Input and Preparation of Recommended Amendments: approximately June 2015 – April 2017
Phase 3, Public Workshops and Public Review of Recommended Amendments, approximately May – July 2017
Phase 4, Planning Commission Public Hearings and Recommendations to Council, approximately August 2017 – January 2018
Phase 5, County Council Hearings, Readings, and Adoption: starting approximately February 2018.
More information about the General Plan comprehensive review is available at the Planning Department’s website (www.cohplanningdept.com/generalplan). Inquiries about the General Plan Comprehensive Review can be directed to generalplan@hawaiicounty.gov or 961-8137.
Notice to Lobbyists: If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai’i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist {Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai’i County Code}. A lobbyist means “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” {Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawai’i County Code} Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1402, Hilo, Hawai’i 96720.
DUANE KANUHA, PLANNING DIRECTOR
COUNTY OF HAWAI’I PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
(WHT718320 2/6/15)~
