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studio units. Compare with the project that I proposed under the RM-2.5, they all mainly 2-
<br />bedroom units and 2 stories. Ok, so, when you compare the two projects, actually the one under
<br />RM-1.5 is smaller in terms of buildable bedrooms, in terms of the total area, just because of the
<br />nature of the project. Because for affordable housing, you cannot afford to build large units, you
<br />know, because of cost of construction, you know, the studios are in the three hundred eighties
<br />square foot range; the one bedrooms are between maybe 580 to 600, that’s the going, you know,
<br />and there’s only maybe a few two bedrooms, so actually this is something that I am trying to
<br />convey to the neighbors even though the zoning has changed, actually the project is smaller.
<br />And also because I have to be really have to conserve the cost, that’s one reason I asked for
<br />change in a, density, because you do need that density to make the project work, number one.
<br />Ok? And number two, because these are smaller units, I can pack them closer together so they
<br />stay away from the neighbors farther than the previous one. The previous one, all the houses are
<br />right almost right against the property. You know, because they’re town homes. And, the latest
<br />change, and I’m hundred percent sure, the closest is 20 feet, which is actually at an upward
<br />angle, ok, touching the corner. Everywhere else, are 30 to 50 feet setback. The previous change
<br />didn’t have that, so actually if you don’t look at the zoning either with 1.5 or 2.5, just looking at
<br />the project itself, the lastest project proposal is substantially smaller and less impact than the
<br />previous RM-2.5. I know, you know, the neighbors concern with the density, but in my
<br />profession, in development profession, it’s a number of units, the number and a square footage,
<br />you know, it’s really not the zoning itself, because I made a commitment to do affordable
<br />housing, 100 percent of them, that really restricted me to do smaller footprints. So I wish the
<br />Planning Commissioners can see that point. It’s really not the zoning change. It’s really the
<br />project itself has changed, and I believe it’s only a 5-year window for me to, a proceed with the
<br />project. If not, this is out. You know, so my time frame is kind of tight here. But again I stress
<br />that you have to look at the project itself and not the zoning. The zoning only allow me to have
<br />more units, but they’re smaller units, so the impact actually is small. And also people with one
<br />bedroom unit, not necessarily have two cars. In fact 80 percent of the renters from my building
<br />up here, they don’t have cars. Most of them are students. They use a bike. In fact they like the
<br />idea when I was talking to UH, the vice president on housing, that he really liked the idea of
<br />Kapiolani Street eventually come, come through, because then will allow student to actually ride
<br />the bike straight through. You know, without going even out, down to Kino‘ole and then up the
<br />hill. You know, so again, you know, it’s not true that the assumptions everyone that would even
<br />have two cars. That’s the magic of doing downtown development or, or in city center
<br />development. It’s people who don’t need cars, they don’t want a car. If they could walk, if they
<br />could bike, they rather do that. If this is out in Puna, you know, another ten miles away, they
<br />have to drive, you know. And this is a perfect so called in field urban site. Any urban planner
<br />look at it will tell you that. This is the perfect location for that. Close to school, close to
<br />downtown, close to a lot of struct—but again I urge the Planning Commission to look at that.
<br />Look at, it’s the project itself, and not the zoning. The zoning is only one element and because
<br />my statement it’s in writing, I’m doing the entire project 100 percent affordable. That means I’m
<br />restricted to do certain things. All the bed-all the bathroom will be ADA compliance, a, you
<br />know, this is unusual if it’s for market rehousing, you don’t have to do that. Um, but this is
<br />something that I urge again the Commission to look at. It’s the project itself.
<br />
<br />ISHIBASHI: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Tai. Any questions Commissioners? Ok, seeing
<br />none. So, a motion is in order.
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