HAWAI’I ISLAND, HI – The Hawai’i County Planning Department has announced the acceptance of two variance applications and is soliciting public comment on each. The applications, accepted between March 16th and March 31st, 2025, seek deviations from standard zoning regulations.
The Planning Director is scheduled to make decisions on these applications in May. Here are the details of each application:
1. Louis & Barie Russo (PL-ZVAR-2025-085)
- Location: 65-1158 Spencer Rd., South Kohala
- TMK: 6-5-011:019
- Variance Requested From: Chapter 25, Zoning, specifically Section 25-7-76 (Minimum Yards – Encroach North Front Yard & Permitted Projections into North Front Yard & Open Spaces) and Section 25-4-44 (Encroach into North Front Yard Open Space Requirements) on a 12,000 square foot property.
- Public Comment Deadline: May 3, 2025
- Tentative Decision Date: May 18, 2025
2. Jeffrey & Janet Harman (PL-ZVAR-2025-087)
- Location: 127 Opio Rd., South Hilo
- TMK: 2-4-018:003
- Variance Requested From: Chapter 25, Zoning, specifically Section 25-5-7 (Minimum Yards) and Section 25-4-44 (Permitted Projections into Rear (East) Yard Setback) on a 23,987 square foot property.
- Public Comment Deadline: Apr. 17, 2025
- Tentative Decision Date: May 19, 2025
The Planning Department encourages the public to review the applications and provide written comments. All written comments for the Russo application (PL-ZVAR-2025-085) must be received by May 3, 2025. Comments for the Harman application (PL-ZVAR-2025-087) must be received by April 17, 2025.
Maps and documents related to these variance applications are available for public inspection during office hours (7:45 AM to 4:30 PM) at the following locations:
- Hawai’i County Planning Department, 101 Pauahi St, Ste 3, Hilo
- Hawai’i County Planning Department, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg E, 2nd Floor, Kailua-Kona
Residents are urged to examine the details of these applications and contribute their input to the decision-making process.