The Kaua`i County Council’s Planning Committee deferred action last night on a proposed amendment of the county’s General Plan. Chapter 7 of the plan, last officially worked over in 1984, focuses more on an agricultural future than the newly proposed,
The Kaua`i County Council’s Planning Committee deferred action last night on a
proposed amendment of the county’s General Plan.
Chapter 7 of the plan,
last officially worked over in 1984, focuses more on an agricultural future
than the newly proposed, amended version which is tilted toward tourism,
according to critics.
A large crowd of citizens had signed up to speak at a
council committee hearing last night, but the deferral vote took the urgency
out of the proceedings.
Despite five recent meetings around the county to
collect citizen opinions on the proposed changes, Councilman Gary Hooser
requested a delay because he hasn’t received information he said he requested
from the county Planning Department. His council colleagues went along.
The
committee chairman, Councilman Daryl Kaneshiro, rescheduled the matter for the
Nov. 22 committee meeting.
Councilman Ron Kouchi assured the public that
action is imminent.
“I fully expect a vote on the 22nd,” Kouchi
said.
Some members of the public had their say, anyway, despite no action
from the council.
“I appreciate that some are in a hurry” to pass a revised
Chapter 7, “but we’re a long way from done,” Ken Stokes said.
“I believe
council is under a misconception” that once projects are listed on maps that
property owners “have vested rights,” Andy Parx said.
The maps included in
the revisions, according to Parx, list 10 future potential sites for resort
developments. Some council members have said the maps aren’t binding but are
more of a guide.
If a committee vote takes place Nov. 22, and the committee
kicks the amended chapter (Bill no. 1957) to the full council, it could be
approved before Councilman Billy Swain leaves office. He was the only incumbent
council member not re-elected Tuesday in the general election.
Critics of
the council claim the council wants to take action before Swain steps
down.
Former Council Member and failed mayoral candidate Bill “Kaipo” Asing
will join the council at December’s first meeting.
Staff writer Dennis
Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and dwilken@pulitzer.net
