Leeward Planning Commission, October 15, 2026
Approves Bill 170 – Zoning definitions for data processing facilities and data centers, 6-0
How this board votes
The Leeward Planning Commission approved 94% of 16 recorded land-use decisions this period.
Parsed from the official meeting recordings. Verify against the official minutes.
See the full board record, member by memberWhat happened
The Leeward Planning Commission voted 6-0 to forward a favorable recommendation on County Council-initiated Bill 170 (PLCCI-2026-000018), which defines data centers and effectively prohibits them in all county zoning districts, adding requested amendments for a moratorium and a s…
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii County, HI
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- October 15, 2026
- Decisions
- 6 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Approved, 6-0
Free sample: decision 1 of 6
Bill 170 – Zoning definitions for data processing facilities and data centers
Favorable recommendation to County Council on Bill 170, which amends Chapter 25 Article 1 to redefine data processing facilities, which remain permitted in MCX, and to add a data center definition, with data centers not permitted in any zoning district. The recommendation includes amendments for a moratorium and a strengthened definition based on the Samantha Haney testimony: measurable triggers, counting the whole project, and technology-neutral density measures. An initial motion for an unfavorable recommendation was withdrawn. The Planning Director had recommended a favorable recommendation with revisions: data centers under 10,000 sq ft permitted in the General Industrial district, larger ones requiring a use permit, plus aggregation standards in new section 25-4-19. The Windward Planning Commission had voted unfavorable. The recommendation is due to Council by November 4. Vote 6-0, with Commissioner Ayers excused.
- moratorium on data centers
- strengthened definition with measurable triggers per Samantha Haney letter
- count whole project/campus as one
- technology-neutral density measures
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
The Leeward Planning Commission voted 6-0 to forward a favorable recommendation on County Council-initiated Bill 170 (PLCCI-2026-000018), which defines data centers and effectively prohibits them in all county zoning districts, adding requested amendments for a moratorium and a s…
Key Decisions (6)
Bill 170 – Zoning definitions for data processing facilities and data centers
Repeal of State Land Use Ordinance 99-149 (Urban to Agricultural) – Como Brothers LLP
Repeal of Change of Zone Ordinance 99-150 (CN-20 to A-5a) – Como Brothers LLP
B&B special permit – Jane Morrill, 73-1499 Apela Place
B&B special permit – Laura Gregory, 73-1711 Hao Street
B&B special permit – Julia Linhart, 73-4283 Koko Street
Zoning Changes (1)
Development Activity (3)
Morrill hosted bed and breakfast
Commercial
Gregory hosted bed and breakfast
Commercial
Linhart hosted bed and breakfast
Commercial
Market Signals (5)
Infrastructure
Hawaii County is moving to prohibit data centers in county…
Sentiment
Public opposition to data centers is intense, centered on water,…
Other
Developers are informally inquiring about data center options in Hawaii,…
Who Spoke (20)
On the record: the chair, a councilmember, 3 commissioners, 3 staff members, an attorney, the applicant, and a member of the public.
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