Mayor Carvalho To Sign Emergency Permitting Bill Into Law Tuesday

Mayor Carvalho to sign emergency permitting bill into law Tuesday
Planning Department to open field offices for expedited permitting the same day

Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. announced today his intention to sign Bill 2713 into law on Tuesday, June 19.

The emergency ordinance adopted by the Kaua‘i County Council on June 6 provides for an expedited permitting process for those residences damaged in April’s historic flooding across the island. It will only be in effect for 60 days; however, it lays the groundwork for more permanent regulations the administration will transmit to the Council in the near future.

This emergency ordinance allows those who have structures classified during this past tax year as Homestead, Residential, or Agricultural to apply for expedited permitting qualification and permitting fee waivers. Qualification may be granted provided the structure does not fall under the following scenarios:

1) Non-conforming use or structure prohibitions;

2) Special Management Area applicability;

3) Shoreline Setback Determination requirements;

4) Existing violations on the property; or

5) Non-conforming structures located within a special flood hazard area identified by the Federal Insurance Administration.

The Planning Department is the lead agency for this expedited permitting qualification, and will be stationing field offices near each of the disaster areas, as follows:
· Tuesday, June 19, at Koloa Neighborhood Center from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.;

· Wednesday, June 20, at Anahola Clubhouse from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.;

· Thursday, June 21, at Hale Halawai from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and

· Friday, June 22, at Hanalei Colony Resort in Wainiha from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Applications will also be accepted at the Planning Department’s service counter, at the Lihue Civic Center, during normal zoning window hours. Normal hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Applicants should be prepared to sign a declaration allowing the Planning Department’s staff entry into the property to document the damaged structures. Staff are required to inspect the property within three days of receiving a signed declaration. Therefore, applicants should be prepared to have staff come to their residences the same day they apply, especially if registering at a field office.

Applicants should expect to submit all relevant permits within 30 days of receiving qualification from the Planning Department.

Forms and a frequently asked questions sheet will be available at www.kauai.gov/planning, starting Friday, June 15.