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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> DATE: August 2, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 894/Res. No. 475-22 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 10:44 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 475-22, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 475-22, transmitted by Housing Administrator Susan Kunz via Communication <br /> No. 894, dated July 18, 2022, authorizes the exemption of certain code requirements, pursuant to <br /> Section 201H-38 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the Hale Ola O Mohouli Affordable <br /> Housing Project in Hilo, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key: 2-4-001:168. The project area is <br /> 9.091 acres. Resolution 475-22 was introduced by Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz, by request. <br /> The Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) requests exemptions from <br /> the following Zoning Code requirements to provide for the development of 90 additional <br /> units: Section 25-2-41, which would allow changing the zoning district from Agriculture— 1 acre <br /> (A-la) to Multifamily Residential—4,000 square feet(RM-4); and Section 25-4-47, which would <br /> allow a 10-foot separation between main buildings instead of the required 15 feet. <br /> Susan Kunz, Housing Administrator, and Keith Kato, Executive Director of HICDC, were <br /> present in the Hilo Chambers; Jeremy McComber, Chief of Operations for HICDC, participated <br /> via Zoom. <br /> Mr. Kato provided an overview of the housing project, which is a 90-unit pocket neighborhood. <br /> Each pocket will be made up of clusters consisting of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and two-story <br /> apartment-styled units, with each unit having green space and a front lanai to promote <br /> socialization between neighbors. Mr. Kato explained that they attempted to design as many <br /> amenities as they could for the project, including a bus shelter, dog park, and community garden. <br /> Committee Member Tim Richards asked for assurance that the sidewalks and walkways will be <br /> compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA), to which Mr. Kato assured him the <br /> project would be ADA-compliant. Mr. Richards noted that multi-story units would be a conduit <br /> for more housing options rather than low-rise units, but still agrees with and supports the <br /> project. <br /> PC Report No.: 72 <br />