Published in The Maui News, Oct. 12, 2014
By GLADYS C. BAISA , for The Maui News
Business owners and operators no longer have to identify their businesses by posting a sign on the entrance side of their establishments.
The County Council voted 9-0 on Sept. 19 to pass a bill allowing businesses to post identification signs where they choose, which was signed into law as Ordinance 4156.
That same day, the council addressed the problem of false burglar alarms by unanimously passing Ordinance 4157, as recommended by the police chief. The ordinance will take effect on March 19, 2015, giving businesses and homeowners time to make necessary adjustments to their alarm systems and comply with new registration requirements.
The Police Department has responded to thousands of false alarms in recent years.
Over the summer, the council passed a series of ordinances (4141, 4152 and 4153) updating three business zoning districts, as proposed by the Department of Planning and recommended by the Lanai, Maui and Molokai planning commissions. Consistent with the general plan, the ordinances promote mixed uses, infill development and smart growth in the neighborhood business, business-country town and central business districts.
Read the new laws at mauicounty.us/laws.
On Oct. 3, after a year of debate, research and countywide community input, the Planning Committee passed a home business bill permitting small-business owners to operate from their residences under certain conditions. The bill seeks to promote diversified economic growth while preserving neighborhood character.
The council faces a diverse range of other issues in a busy week ahead.
Monday morning at 9, the Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will address cybersecurity concerns. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
The committee will also continue its review of possible county-initiated proposals for the 2015 state legislative session. State laws relating to industrial hemp and council members’ ability to attend community meetings will be considered.
On Wednesday at 6 p.m., the state Department of Health will conduct an informational meeting in the Council Chambers in Wailuku on proposed cesspool rules. Verbal comments of up to three minutes will be accepted.
See mauicounty.us/cesspools for more information.
At the council meeting on Friday at 9 a.m., members will consider a resolution to accept easements for the Baldwin Beach Park Bikeway in Paia. The council will hear on second reading Bill 70 (2014) to establish a four-way stop at the mauka intersection of Haiku Road and Kauhikoa Road in Haiku.
The council will also consider the parameters of opinions issued by the state Office of Information Practices, which administers public records and open meeting laws.
Finally, the council will hear on first reading a bill to simplify the county’s law on sign-waving on sidewalks, as recommended by the Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee. The bill, which prohibits sign-waving in places where it would create a safety hazard, is part of a settlement with plaintiffs who alleged the prior law conflicted with free-speech rights.
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A hui hou.
* Gladys C. Baisa is chairwoman of the Maui County Council and holds the council’s Pukalani-Kula-Ulupalakua area residency seat. “Chair’s 3 Minutes” is a weekly column to explain the latest news on county legislative matters.
