HEARING SET- 10:00 AM, FEBRUARY 15, 2012 @ KAPOLEI HALE, Link to agenda:http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-121567/021512%20Council%20Agenda.htm Bill 50 WSCP.
Aloha,
Bill 50- the development plan for the Waianae region, underwent two major changes in the Zoning and Planning Committee on February 9, 2012. The committee voted (I am not a voting member) to leave in the “Purple Spot” - which is an effort to transform a proposed golf course zoned parcel into a light industrial park.
This means, in order for the City Council to consider action on reversing the committee’s decision, and remove the “Purple Spot,” I would have to introduce a Floor Draft Amendment (FD1). If the Purple Spot is indeed removed, the end-use of the land remains classified as Preservation 2-(P2) - which allows for a golf course or ranching endeavors. In contrast, with the Purple Spot still in the plan, a light industrial park could come to the area.
My FD1 to remove the Purple Spot would first need to get six votes- 2/3rds of the council members voting with me- in order to waive Sunshine Law/ and approve of a 48 hour waiver.
If that is done, and I get a second to my motion, then public testimony can be accepted on the FD1 for consideration. The council would need five votes to approve of my FD1 if Bill 50 were to include the amendment to remove the Purple Spot.
The second FD1 I am proposing has to do with a 50-acre regional park- referenced as the “Blue Spot." The committee removed that park from the Waianae Sustainable Communities Plan. I do not think I can get the full 50-acres back into play, but maybe, just maybe, it is worth the effort to try to salvage something and request for a neighborhood park- which is a 6-acre park. A 6-acre park would get us that football field sorely needed besides other amenities.
I am hoping PVT Land Company (where the 50-acre park was proposed- on their property) would support this idea, since as it stands now, no park is coming to fruition per the Conference Draft 2 amendment passed yesterday in the committee. I would rather fight for 6-acres – a new neighborhood park that has a better chance of succeeding than going after the full 50-acres which at this time, is dead. Please, I need to hear from you, what do you want me to do on this- proceed with the FD1 or not?
Some of you may want the Purple Spot in, and some want it out. Some may want the Blue Spot in, and some want it out. By introducing the two FD1 amendments, it will at least give everyone that comes to testify that one last opportunity to be heard no matter what position or side one is on- and allow for open discussion and keep all proposals in play.
Please consider contacting all City Council members to request that my floor drafts (FD1) be placed on the agenda for action. http://www1.honolulu.gov/council/ccl.htm and express your position on them.
Mahalo,
Tom Berg
City Council District One
Phone (808) 768-5001
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