HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 029 2021/08/18 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: August 18, 2021 Re: Comm. 348/Res. No. 179-21
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 9:01 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 179-21, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 179-21, submitted by Housing Administrator Susan K. Kunz dated July 30, 2021,
to authorize the exemption of certain code requirements, pursuant to Section 201H-38 of the
Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the Honua`ula Affordable Housing Project in Kailua-Kona,
Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Keys: 7-4-004:014 and 092. Honua`ula LLC requests a change
of zoning from Agricultural 1-acre to Multiple Family Residential 2,000-square feet and seeks
exemption from Hawaii County Code Sections 5-7-1 and 5-7-3 to waive County permit fees to
develop 111 affordable rental units for persons whose income is under sixty percent of the Area
Median Income.
Office of Housing and Community Development Administrator, Susan K. Kunz, was present via
Zoom, and provided Your Committee a general overview on Hawaii Revised Statutes 201H-38,
a tool intended to spur more affordable housing projects by streamlining the process and keeping
development affordable through various County code exemptions. She reiterated that Hawai i
Island needs over 13,000 housing units by 2025, and this can help reach that goal. She further
explained that Resolution 179 is seeking one waiver for a zoning change, and the second is to
waive permitting fees to help keep the project affordable.
The applicant, Chief Executive Officer of Honua`ula LLC Carlo Mireles and Public Works
Director Ikaika Rodenhurst were present in the Kona Chambers. Planning Director Zendo Kern
was present in the Hilo Chambers. Members of the Honua`ula LLC team, Bruce Beard, Chief
Operating Officer, and Ron Kim, legal representative, were present via Zoom.
Mr. Mireles explained that the development team is focused on providing affordable housing
options, and that this project will provide housing options at 60 percent Area Median Income
(AMI), with 44 project based vouchers available to people at 30-50 percent AMI. He noted that
the project will maintain these levels of affordability for 45 years, surpassing the required
20 years.
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz asked Director Kern and Director Rodenhurst to explain to
the Committee the two requested exemptions. Mr. Rodenhurst explained that the Department of
Public Works is waiving permitting fees for the project in accordance to the 201H process.
PC Report No.: 29
PC-29 Page 2 August 18,2021
Director Kern explained that the zoning request is to expedite the change of zone request from
agriculture to multi-family. He said the project is consistent with the land use allocation guide
map for the region and that it addresses Hawaii Island's affordable housing needs.
Committee Member Holeka Inaba thanked Mr. Mireles and his team for committing to a large
affordable housing project in his district. He then asked how there can be assurances that the
traffic mitigation recommendations are implemented by the Department of Public Works and
how the Council would be updated on that progress. Director Rodenhurst explained that a second
traffic study was completed last week, the findings of which would inform traffic improvements
and mitigation measures.
Committee Member Maile David thanked Mr. Inaba for highlighting the traffic study, and asked
Mr. Mireles on what his driving force was to build this affordable housing project. Mr. Mireles
explained how he wanted to give back to his community in return for all they have done to
support him and his family.
Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked what 60 percent AMI was for the region and
what the cost would be for the units. Mr. Mireles replied that incomes between$30,000480,000
will be accepted. He then noted that a one-bedroom unit would cost nearly $960 per month and a
four-bedroom unit is estimated to be $1,490 per month. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder then asked
Director Kern if affordable housing projects like this must comply with Chapter 25, to which
Director Kern responded yes.
Chair Kierkiewicz thanked Ms. Kunz for her work in guiding this project through the County
affordable housing process and Mr. Mireles for setting a high standard for good development.
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation and passed with 9 "ayes."
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 179-21,
and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS Ex Respectfully submitted,
CIIUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
INABA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
LEE LOV X ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 29
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: SEP 0 „ I