Communication No. 2018-07- 2017 Annunal NKCDP Report from Chair Winter Final

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with the Department of Planning to "down -zone" culturally or scenically important State-owned parcels from County zoning categories A -5a or A-20 to a more protective category. Accomplishments in 2017: The Growth Management Group met a total of six times this past year. A working document to summarize and track existing Land Use Applications was created. Two Subdivisions, three Plan Approvals, and one Special Management Minor Use Permit were reviewed and commented on. Additionally, a discussion on Land Use and the Impact of Non -Agriculture Business in an Agriculture District and a discussion on the Hawaii County Sign Code and the Impact of Large Lighted Signs was conducted. Goals for 2018: In addition to the regular review of Planning Department Applications, the Growth Management Group would like to implement a Community Design Guideline to address Signage Issues to serve as a mechanism for the Action Committee and the Community to be part of the application process for signs. Additionally, to expand the Land Use Summary Report to incorporate historical applications that may be renewed without completion or withdrawal. The Growth Management Subcommittee continues to act as a liaison to the NKCDP AC for any Kohala culture/historic preservation groups. This support extends to any groups that need assistance working with the County Planning Department. The Growth Management Subcommittee meets on the first Monday of every month from 6:00 - 7:OOPM at the old Judiciary Building in Kapa'au. Affordable Housing (AH) Group When the CDP was in the planning stages the Affordable Housing Focus Group participants provided a qualitative assessment of the community's affordable housing needs: • The greatest need is for affordable housing for young families and for young single adults. • There is also a need for affordable housing for the elderly. • There is a need for both affordable rentals and affordable for -sale homes. • The lack of affordable housing in Kohala has led to serious social and personal impacts. Many homes are overcrowded, and many young people are being forced to leave Kohala to look for affordable housing elsewhere. • Affordable housing should be integrated into existing neighborhoods. • A strategy is needed that can make existing housing stock affordable. • Affordable home prices would be in the range of $200,000 to $250,000. The NKCDP dedicates a significant section (4.3) to this subject, setting out a major goal and four specific Strategies in order to meet it. GOAL: THE OVERALL GOAL OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM FOR NORTH KOHALA IS TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. Strategy 3.1: `Ohana Housing Units and Additional Farm Dwellings Strategy 3.2: Self -Help Housing Strategy 3.3: Non-profit housing development corporation or similar entity Strategy 3.4: Pre-emptions of certain County regulations to provide for more affordable housing and/or changes to County codes to facilitate affordable rural housing. The big problem is that Affordable Housing in Kohala is nearly an oxymoron. The median residential sales price for Q1, 2017 was $565,000, compared to a Big Island average of $350,000. The threshold for houses in North Kohala is probably $350,000 and thus hardly affordable for many families. With regard to the target price indicated in the final bulleted point above, it is highly doubtful that any North Kohala home has sold for under $250,000 since 2003.