How zone change applications are reviewed on the North Shore

(a) All zone change applications relating to land in the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan area will be reviewed by the department for consistency with the general plan, the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan, and any applicable special area plan. (1) The director will recommend either approval, approval with changes, or denial. The director’s written review of the application shall become part of the zone change report which will be sent to the planning commission and the city council. (2) A project master plan shall be a part of an EA or EIS for any project involving 10 acres or more of land. The director shall review the project master plan for its consistency with the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan. (3) Any development or phase of a development already covered by a project master plan which has been fully reviewed under the provisions of this article shall not require a new project master plan, provided the director determines that the proposed zone change is generally consistent with the existing project master plan for the affected area. (4) If a final EIS has already been accepted for a development, including one accepted before May 3, 2011,* then a subsequent project master plan shall not be required for the development. (b) Projects which involve a significant zone change shall be required to submit an environmental assessment to the department of planning and permitting before an application for a zone change being accepted. Any development or phase of a development which has already been assessed under the National Environmental Policy Act, HRS Chapter 343, ROH Chapter 25 , or this article, and for which a FONSI has been filed or a required EIS has been accepted, shall not be subject to further EA or EIS requirements under this chapter. (c) The environmental assessment will be reviewed by the department. Based on review of the environmental assessment, the director will determine whether an environmental impact statement will be required or whether a FONSI may be issued. (d) If an environmental impact statement is required, the environmental impact statement must be accepted by the director before a zone change application shall be initiated. (e) Zone changes shall be processed in accordance with this section, Section 5.5 of the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan, and Chapter 21 . Editor’s note: * “May 3, 2011” is substituted for “the effective date of this ordinance.”