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REPORT OF THE POLICY <br />COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, <br />LAND USE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br />DATE: October 7, 2025 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:02 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 333/Bill No. 63 <br />Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development, to which was <br />referred Bill No. 63, reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 63, transmitted by Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi via Communication <br />No. 333, dated May 13, 2025, amends Chapter 25, Article 5, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 <br />(2016 Edition, as amended), relating to dwellings. <br />The bill would permit residential dwellings within the industrial -commercial mixed use <br />(MCX) zoning district. <br />Both Planning Director Jeff Darrow and Planner V Tracie-Lee Camero were present in the Hilo <br />Chambers. <br />Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi introduced a bill to permit residential dwellings in <br />industrial areas, aiming to reduce traffic and enable people to live closer to work. He noted that <br />homeless shelters and hospitals are already allowed in these areas, so residential dwellings <br />should be permitted as well. <br />Committee Member Heather L. Kimball supported having the discussion and requested the <br />Department of Public Works Building Division address concerns about building on toxic <br />locations if the bill is approved. <br />Committee Members Michelle M. Galimba and Jenn Kagiwada expressed support for the bill, <br />with Ms. Kagiwada emphasizing the importance of maintaining public safety and health in <br />mixed -use areas. <br />Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder supported the bill and questioned why the <br />provision was not included in the district initially. Mr. Darrow explained that previous attempts <br />had been made, but those measures did not pass. <br />Bill No. 63 was referred to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions as well as the <br />Planning Director on June 3, 2025. <br />PCPLUED Report No. 8 <br />