What is the legal process for amending or revising local land use regulations?

The legal process for amending or revising local land use regulations in Hawaii varies by county. Generally, the process begins with an application to the Hawaii Planning Commission (HPC). After the application is filed, the HPC reviews the application to determine if the proposed changes are consistent with the county’s general land use plan, or if the proposed changes would have significant impacts on the environment or community. Once approved by the HPC, the proposed changes are then forwarded to the county council for review and approval. The county council has the authority to approve, modify, or reject the proposed changes. It must take all relevant facts into account, such as the project’s potential impact on local neighborhoods and the environment, in making its decision. After the county council approves the changes, it then sends them to the Governor for review. If the Governor approves the changes, they become official. In some cases, the public is allowed to comment on proposed amendments and revisions before they are officially approved and in others, they can appeal the decision of the county council and the governor. In general, the legal process for amending or revising local land use regulations in Hawaii ensures that the decision-making process is transparent and takes into account all relevant facts and potential impacts. As such, it serves as an important safeguard against arbitrary or irresponsible changes to land use regulations.

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What is the legal process for amending or revising local land use regulations?

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