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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 001 2021/01/05 (2020-2022) I I I PORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: January 5, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 18/Bill No. 6 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 12:29 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 6, reports as follows: I Bill No. 6, introduced by Committee Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz by request, amends Ordinance No. 10-32 which reclassified lands by changing the district classification from Single-Family Residential—1,000 square feet(RS-7.5) and Multiple-Family Residential— 1,000 square feet (RM-1)to Multiple-Family Residential— 1,500 square feet(RM-1.5) at Kukuau 1st, South Hilo, Hawaii, covered by tax map keys: 2-4-025:048, 053 and 080. The applicant is Ikaika Ohana; formerly Giampaolo "Paul"Boschetti. The area is 5.5 acres. a The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this amendment, which would allow revisions or time extensions to five conditions to the existing change of zone ordinance. The new applicant proposes to build a 64-unit affordable housing development with a community center and garden, laundry facilities, and a 116-stall parking lot, to be located on Kapiolani Street across from the Police Department's Hilo Headquarters. Jeff Darrow, Deputy Director of Planning, and Christian Kay, Planner, were present in the Hilo Council Chambers to provide further information; also present via Zoom was Katherine Garson, representing the property owner, and James Rock, representing the applicant, Ikaika `Ohana. Ms. Garson explained that the amendment is essentially a five year extension. Mr. Rock expressed that part of the development process includes requesting the zoning amendment for additional time required for the plan to be submitted and approved through the Planning Department. Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz noted that both the Planning Department and Windward Planning Commission had a favorable recommendation for this proposed amendment. Committee Member Sue Lee Loy asked if the applicants' representatives read and agreed to the conditions of approval. Mr. Rock then requested further clarification on the parking lot ratio requirements, to which Mr. Darrow responded that the ratio would be 1.5 parking stalls per unit. Ms. Lee Loy expressed her support for this affordable housing project,noting that this could be a model for future projects. PC Report No.: 1 PC-1 Page 2 January 5, 2021 Committee Member Matt Kdneali'i Kleinfelder asked about the deletion of Condition J regarding traffic signal lighting and street lighting. Mr. Darrow explained that the Police Department submitted comments regarding parking overflow onto Kapiolani St. and in the police parking lot. Mr. Darrow shared the Planning Commission had moved forward favorably with removing Condition J, despite recommendation from the Director to retain; the commission did not deem it necessary to include the condition because it would be redundant with Charter requirements. Although the condition was removed,Mr. Darrow stated that after the project is approved and reviewed, the Department of Public Works will require it to have proper traffic signals and lighting for public safety. Member Kdneali'i Kleinfelder also brought up concerns regarding project impacts on Historical Site 25547,to which Planner Christian Kay assured him that no historic sites or properties would be impacted. Committee Member Heather Kimball addressed the Fair Share Exemption and whether it is applied if the whole project is affordable, or individual units within the project are affordable. Mr. Darrow explained that the Department of Planning would not require the Fair Share Condition for however many of the units are affordable, which in this project are 53 of the 54 units. This is a recent change intended to encourage affordable housing projects. Ms. Kimball also asked if the approval of this amendment is necessary for the property transfer and project to continue, to which Mr. Rock responded that the project would be negatively impacted if not approved. Committee Member Tim Richards asked for clarification on the targeted AMI (area median income). Mr. Rock responded that 53 of the 54 units have a target of 30-50 percent of Big Island median income. Council Chair Maile David asked for further clarification on whether the Fair Share exemption is for the whole project, or only the individual units. Mr. Darrow explained that the project is 100 percent affordable housing, and the Fair Share exemption is for the whole project. The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to council with a favorable recommendation and passed unanimously with nine "ayes." Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 6, and recommends its passage on first reading. jS AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted, CHUNG X DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING EOFF X KIERKIEWICZ X KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER X LEE LOY X POINDEXTER X ASHLEY L. KIEYXIEWICZ, CHAIR RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: I VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: JAN 2 0-22021