HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 055 2020/10/06 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: October 6, 2020 Re: Comm. No. 1079/Res. No. 733-20
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 2:36 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 733-20, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 733-20, introduced by Committee Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz at the request of
the Office of Housing and Community Development, exempts certain code requirements
pursuant to HRS 201H-38 and 46-15.1 for the West Kawili Street Senior/Veteran Housing in
South Hilo, Hawai`i covered by Tax Map Key (3) 2-4-0057:030.
The applicant, HKI Kawili LLC, seeks exemptions from certain code and zoning requirements to
facilitate the development of 91 affordable housing units, a manager's residence unit, and a
community center located at the corner of West Kawili and Kapi`olani Streets.
Housing Administrator Duane Hosaka introduced the representatives for the applicant,
Marian Gushiken and Carson Schultz of EAH Housing. Ms. Gushiken conducted a PowerPoint
Presentation to outline the details of the project.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder thanked EAH Housing for retracting their
previous request to remove sidewalks from the project and to conduct more safety measures for
the keiki. He asked for clarification on the exact location of the project in relation to the current
7-11 convenience store. Additionally, he asked for more details on the traffic study report.
Ms. Gushiken clarified the project location and explained that the traffic study conducted in 2019
revealed no significant impact with a right turn in and right turn out of the West Kawili Street
main entry.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas asked for clarification on exemption requests for
sidewalks as it is not a location she is familiar with.
Committee Vice-Chair Sue Lee Loy clarified, as the Council District 3 representative where the
project is located, that the proposed wide walking spaces are consistent with the current wide
walking spaces that exist in the area. She acknowledged the applicant's offer to add sidewalk
improvements to Kapi`olani Street but noted that adding sidewalks would not be consistent with
the location.
PC Report No. 55
PC- 55 Page 2 October 6,2020
Ms. Gushiken added there was a lot of consideration about the students, keiki, and kupuna who
would most frequently use the area for walking when considering whether or not to build
sidewalks. She concluded that EAH determined it would be best to put in a sidewalk to get
pedestrians to the major intersection of West Kawili and Kapi`olani Streets.
Chair Kierkiewicz asked the Office of Housing and Community Development to submit an
amendment regarding the sidewalks. She reminded the body that there is a 45-day clock for this
201H application that has been ticking since September thus any amendments must be done prior
to or on the floor at the October 21, 2020 meeting of the Council.
Mr. Hosaka confirmed he would submit an amendment and noted an existing guardrail next to
the flood canal where the proposed sidewalk on Kapi`olani Street is located; Ms. Gushiken
confirmed.
Committee Member Tim Richards added a comment that in his district, Ala `Ohia Street has a
wide walking space and no sidewalk, and in his opinion it actually works better than a sidewalk.
Chair Kierkiewicz sought clarification that the applicant is working with the Department of
Water Supply (DWS) to ensure water commitments based on realistic usage are being made and
that the applicant continues to work with DWS, as they are great resources to partner with.
Ms. Gushiken confirmed that EAH paid their water commitments and will continue to work with
DWS.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 733-20,
and recommends its adoption.
jb
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
EOFF X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
LEE LOY X
POINDEXTER x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 55
VILLEGAS x ADOPTED: OCT 2 1 2020