Bill > HR55

This Resolution urges the Department of Planning and Permitting, the Mayor, and the Honolulu City Council to increase public involvement before wind machines with a power output of up to 100 kilowatts are built. Currently, these smaller wind machines, unlike larger ones requiring a "major" conditional use permit, only need a "minor" permit, which involves less public input, with the Director of Planning and Permitting having discretion on whether to hold a public hearing after consulting with neighbors. The Resolution highlights concerns about noise, shadow flicker, and flashing lights from wind machines and proposes that these smaller wind machines be reclassified to require a "major" conditional use permit, thereby mandating a more thorough public review process, and also calls for an end to waivers from Hawaii's environmental impact statement law for these machines.