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PC-9 Page 2 February 19, 2019 <br /> slated to be used as a senior living development. Council Member Eoff noted the need for more senior <br /> independent living facilities and expressed her desire to leave Condition B in the ordinance. Mr. Fuke <br /> questioned the legality of restricting the property to a specific use rather than what is allowed under its <br /> RM zoning. He noted that the current developer did not want to limit the project to independent senior <br /> living in the event there was not a sufficient market for it in the future. <br /> Council Member Eoff asked Planning Program Manager Jeff Darrow to clarify who added the condition <br /> in to limit the project development to an independent senior living facility, and asked for his suggestion <br /> on whether to keep or eliminate it. Mr. Darrow stated that generally the Planning Commission and the <br /> Council do not restrict the use of property in this manner as that is not the ultimate intent of zoning, <br /> which allows for a number of uses. He explained that most applicants will propose some details of their <br /> project, which in this case had been independent senior living, but oftentimes due to changes in the <br /> economy or other circumstances, other projects permitted under the zoning are considered. He explained <br /> that because of the specific language of Condition B, if the applicant no longer wanted to pursue an <br /> independent senior living facility they would have to amend the ordinance. <br /> Council Member Eoff stated that she had spoken with the applicant and they told her directly that this <br /> project would be for independent senior living. Mr. Fuke stated that the owner/developer did not want to <br /> limit eligibility to only seniors and reiterated that by eliminating this condition it would aid the island's <br /> overall need for housing. <br /> Council Member Maile David pointed out that Condition B stated that the proposed project"should" <br /> remain senior living, not "shall."Mr. Fuke wanted to clarify if it was the Council or the planning <br /> director who was responsible for defining the term"should."Deputy Corporation Counsel Amy Self <br /> interjected and stated that this was an inadequate way to state a condition of zoning. She explained that <br /> the language should be clear to whoever reads it and noted that the purpose of zoning is to describe <br /> permitted uses of what can be done with a property versus being tied to something so specific. Although <br /> the language came from the Planning Commission, as had been pointed out by Council Member David, <br /> it did not mean that it must remain as a condition. She reiterated that it was critical the language was not <br /> ambiguous, and be clear and understandable to whoever reads it. <br /> Planning Committee Vice-Chair Sue Lee Loy stated she would be willing to work with the Kona <br /> Council Members and assist in creating a second draft to make the condition more clear. She noted she <br /> wanted to help manage the expectation of the applicant and the potential uses for the project, and <br /> supported moving the project forward. <br /> Planning Committee Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz explained that Vice-Chair Lee Loy had assisted in <br /> this same way with Bill No. 1 and believed it was good practice that council members from the project's <br /> area also participate. Council Member Eoff asked if the plan was to remove the language only,to which <br /> Vice-Chair Lee Loy explained that they had an opportunity to do whatever was needed and would <br /> ultimately confer with Corporation Counsel, as she had done with Bill No. 1. Planning Chair <br /> Kierkiewicz noted it was the Council's responsibility to create good policy, and to ensure ordinance <br /> language was drafted clearly. She noted that the proposed amendment would encourage the developer to <br /> pursue development of an independent senior living facility, but not limit development to that specific <br /> use. Council Member Kierkiewicz requested that the Committee move the bill forward and that <br /> theCouncil would review and vote on the revised bill with amendments crafted by Council Members <br /> PC Report No.: 9 <br />