2014-09-04 Hearing Transcript-PD Initiated MCX

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In the alternative, the Director would like to offer for your consideration this Director initiated bill that would allow for Double Family and Multiple Family residential component to the MCX zoning district. According to the Hawai‛i County Code, Chapter 25, the Zoning Code, the purpose of the MCX zoning district is to allow a mix, a mixing of some industrial uses with commercial uses. The intent of this zoning district is to provide for areas of diversified businesses and employment opportunities by permitting a broad range of uses without exposing non-industrial uses to unsafe and unhealthy environments. The MCX zoning district is intended to promote and maintain a viable mix of light Industrial and Commercial uses. In addition, according to the County of Hawai‛i General Plan, Chapter 14, Land Use, mixed use light industrial and commercial zones may include, but not be limited to, wholesale, retail, office uses, and personal and business services. The Director believes that there is support to allow Double Family and Multiple Family residential uses within the MCX zoning district. The MCX zoning district has excluded those uses generally considered unsafe and hazardous and relegated those uses to the Limited Industrial and General Industrial zoning districts. However, the viability of a mixed use commercial and light industrial zone, typified by uses allowed in the MCX zoning district, can be supported by an integrated residential component. The MCX zoning district currently accommodates art galleries, museums, bars, nightclubs and restaurants, churches, farmers markets, banks, personal services, stores, vocational and business schools and theaters, among other similar uses. What is missing is a higher density residential component like apartments and condominium complexes that would help to sustain a viable mixed use community. So, for those reasons that is why you have before you the Director’s proposal to allow for Double Family and Multiple Family residential uses within the MCX zoning district. However, I did want to emphasize that both the Fire Department and the Department of Public Works, who were provided a copy of the proposed amendment, have expressed some concerns regarding the proposed amendment, and their memorandum has been provided to you as exhibits to the Background Report that we provided to you earlier. So with that, I stand ready to answer any questions that you may have. MIYASATO: Do you have any questions, Commissioners? Commissioner Henkel? HENKEL: Daryn, I think one of the Fire Department concerns was having residents living around like commercial spray painting operations and stuff. What has been done to mitigate that concern if anything? ARAI: As far as mitigating, nothing specifically. Normally, we would hope that—you know, residential use is just one class of use. There are other type of uses that are allowed in the MCX zoning district, commercial uses for example. And even those type of uses can be impacted by fumes or smells that could be generated by like--I think they made reference to automotive painting. But, we would hope that existing government regulations would prevail when it comes to odors, emissions, and fumes from those type of activities because whether it’s residential or other type of permitted use, I mean, those potential impacts still remain the same. 2 EXHIBIT E