Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE POLICY <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, <br /> LAND USE, AND DEVELOPMENT <br /> DATE: January 5, 2023 Re: Comm. No. 30/Bill No. 9 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, to which was referred <br /> Bill No. 9, reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 9, submitted by Council Member Holeka Inaba, via Communication No. 30, dated <br /> November 9, 2022, amends Chapter 11, Article 1, Section 11-19, of the Hawaii County Code <br /> 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), Relating to Affordable Housing. Bill No. 9, requires <br /> affordable housing agreements to be submitted to Council by the Housing Administrator within <br /> 30 calendar days following the date of execution, along with quarterly activity reports beginning <br /> on March 1, 2023. <br /> Committee Member Holeka Inaba explained that Bill No. 9 creates a mandated schedule for the <br /> Housing Administration to report to Council and elaborates on the types of activities to be <br /> reported. <br /> Housing Administrator Susan Kunz was present in the Hilo Chambers. She spoke in favor of the <br /> bill and stated that the Housing Administration should have no problem meeting the data and <br /> schedule requirements. <br /> Committee Member Heather Kimball added that it simply changes a"may"to a"shall" for the <br /> existing language on voluntary reports. She emphasized that housing credits are becoming a <br /> commodity, and this bill will help improve transparency and if the credit program is working as <br /> intended. Ms. Kimball then asked if this will interfere with ongoing audits and investigations. <br /> County Auditor Tyler Benner was present in the Hilo Chambers. He noted that the reporting <br /> requirements in the bill would become part of his scope of work, and it may impact the timing of <br /> the audit and current draft of the report. <br /> Committee Members Cindy Evans and Sue Lee Loy asked if the County or the Department of <br /> Hawaiian Homelands could be considered a developer and receive housing credits. Ms. Kunz <br /> responded that the County cannot, but the Department of Hawaiian Homelands may, according <br /> to state law. <br /> PCPLUD Report No.: 1 <br />