STAND. COM. REP. NO.  634-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2665

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2665, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOLAR ENERGY,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect the property values, health, safety, and welfare of people living on previously created non-conforming residential subdivisions on agricultural lands with a soil rating of class D or E.  This measure allows future solar energy facilities on non-conforming residential subdivisions; provided that:

 

     (1)  A solar energy facility larger than 15 kilowatts on one or more lots requires a special use permit; and

 

     (2)  The non-conforming residential subdivision must have been created for residential purposes prior to January 1, 1980, does not conform to current county codes, and has been identified by the county.

 

     The Land Use Commission, Councilmember representing District 6 of the County of Hawaii, County of Hawaii Planning Department, Sunlines Hawaii, Lova Lova Lava Land ECO-Resort LLC, and a few individuals supported this measure.  An individual opposed this measure.  The Department of Agriculture provided comments.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Water & Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2665, H.D. 1, and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Water & Land,

 

 

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair

 

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair