ALERT!!!
Our Community Plans Are STILL Under Attack. The changes are starting on Lana`i, but may affect us all, if they spread to every community plan.
New language has been inserted in the Lana`i Community Plan that was NEVER discussed in over a year of public deliberations. This language would gut the Community Plan’s land use designations, saying they will not be “regulatory”, and may not have the force of law. It could set a precedent that would then be included in all our Community Plans.
Most folks would not look for a game-changer in an Appendix, but that’s where this new language was placed.
Don Couch’s Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Lana`i this Tuesday, June 23rd, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm, to hear public input on the plan.
Please send comments as soon as possible (preferably by June 22nd).
Email comments to: pc.committee@mauicounty.us
Address them to:
Planning Committee Chair Don Couch
Re: PC-11, Lana`i Community Plan Update
Ask the Council Planning Committee to pass the Lanai Community Plan Advisory Committee version of the Plan, which clearly and repeatedly states that land use zoning must comply with the Lana`i Community Plan. Ask them to respect the hard work of the Lana`i community. Specifically, ask that the following words in Appendix 9.3 be deleted:
“Community plan land use designations are not regulatory unless required by law. Page A-26 Appendix 9.3”
Listen to the People!
Why: Language weakening the power of the Lana`i Community Plan was buried in an Appendix on page A-26 of the proposed revisions by the County Council Planning Committee AFTER the Lana`i community, its citizen’s advisory committee, and its Lana`i Planning Commission approved a draft that did NOT contain this language.
The fact is that state and county law both clearly state that zoning must comply with the community plan. The proposed new language is unnecessary, creates confusion, and is disrespectful of the hard work of the Lana’i Community Plan Advisory Committee and the Lana`i Planning Commission.
The Lana`i plan is the first in a series of community plan updates. The Moloka`i Community Plan is also under way, and that draft now has similar language. The Council Planning Committee appears to want to get this language embedded in all our community plans, rendering them toothless.
Let the Council Planning Committee know we stand behind the Lana’i Community and all the work they have done, and insist that the offending language be DELETED.
The Community Plans are Your Voice and should have the force of Law.
P. S. Mahalo to all who sent comments on PC- 21 (the amendment to the Maui County Code also weakening our Community Plans) Your voices are being heard. This unneeded amendment to our County Code has been temporarily deferred. Committee Chair Don Couch says he is willing to look at new language. We will continue to work to leave the County Code as it is.
More alerts will be sent as we see the new language. IMUA!
