HONOLULU — The Public Land Development Corporation posted an early notice of its next scheduled board meeting, to be held Oct. 11, at which the board will consider a resolution approving a strategic plan to better define its scope and
HONOLULU — The Public Land Development Corporation posted an early notice of its next scheduled board meeting, to be held Oct. 11, at which the board will consider a resolution approving a strategic plan to better define its scope and facilitate final review of draft administrative rules, according to a PLDC press release Saturday.
To give the public ample time to submit comments, the early posting comes well before the six-day notice period that is required, according to the release.
The board will also consider changes to the draft administrative rules that are more reflective of the strategic plan and address concerns raised at public hearings held across the state.
“We have heard the concerns of the community, and the PLDC board will now consider adoption of a strategic plan to better define what the PLDC can and cannot do,” PLDC Chair Kalbert Young states in the release. “The strategic plan sets priorities, guidelines and scope, while addressing the issues — and many misconceptions — that have been raised. We remain committed to the public comment process to which the people of Hawai‘i are entitled.”
The public may submit written testimony to Joy Kimura at joy.y.kimura@hawaii.gov or fax (808) 587-0390.
Visit hawaii.gov/dlnr/pldc/meetings for a link to the Oct. 11 meeting agenda.
Established in 2011 by the state Legislature, the PLDC’s purpose is to create and facilitate partnerships between state and county agencies, businesses, non-profits and community groups to improve Hawai‘i’s communities, create jobs and expand public benefit through stewardship and responsible use of land resources, the release states.
Such partnerships would allow development of commercial projects on public lands — including 1.8 million acres of ceded lands — while circumventing county zoning laws.
The Kaua‘i County Council passed a resolution Wednesday asking for the repeal of Act 55, which was signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie and which allowed PLDC’s establishment. The Kaua‘i resolution came about a week after Big Island’s council passed a similar resolution.
Director of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control and former state Sen. Gary Hooser said at the council meeting Wednesday that his contingency plan for PLDC was “no contingency plan.”
Hooser’s reason for asking for a straight repeal of Act 55 was that if amendments are suggested, at the end of the day, there will be minor changes, aimed at convincing the public of the law’s intent, but with no real impacts to the law.
