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From: Todd Barrett
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 11:55 AM
To: Council Testimony COUNTY CLERK
Cc: Todd Barrett COUNTY OF HAWAII
Subject: RE: Resolution 179-21 Council Testimony in Favor RECEIVED
Ti ((° dq,
Date AUG 1 6 2021
Aloha Council Members,
As a member of the West Hawaii Association Board of Realtors Government Affairs
Committee Task Force on Affordable Housing, I would like to tender my favorable
recommendation in favor of both items contained within Resolution 179-21, and the
Resolution itself.
We understand that Honua'ula LLC is proposing a 100% affordable housing project on 5.354
acres of land across two parcels within the North Kona District. The proposed project to
construct 112 multiple-family dwelling units at 60% of the Average Median Gross Income
(AGMI) for a duration of twenty (20) years is desperately needed in our community.
The subject properties currently total 6. 001 acres in size and arc roughly rectangular in
shape. Parcel 14 is currently part of a subdivision action ( SUB -20- 001943) that will
eventually reduce the land area from 4. 0 acres to 3. 353 acres. The property is currently
zoned Agricultural - 1 acre A -I a) by the County and Urban by the State Land Use
Commission. The General Plan Land Use Allocation Guide ( LUPAG) map designates the
project area within the Low Density Urban designation and is located within the Kona Urban
Area as designated by the Kona Community Development Plan. The property is not situated
within the Special Management Area ( SMA). Access to the project is from Kealaka'a Street
Surrounding land uses include single and multiple family dwellings, affordable housing and a
church. Therefore, the rezoning of the property certainly meets current County guidelines for
highest and best use.
As for the exemption from permitting fees, "Chapter 165-7-3(h) The following programs shall be exempt from the
requirement of paying any permit fee, except for fees imposed pursuant to subsection (d), relating to work begun
without a permit and penalty fees when required by the construction code:(1)Habitat far Humanity-Hilo and
Kona; and(2) Hawaii Community College's Model Home Project", we believe that as other affordable projects are
granted automatic exemption from permit fees, and other 201H applications in the past have made similar requests,
this 100%Affordable Housing project should also be exempt from permit fees. This will allow for an even improved
offering to the local community, as those costs will not need to be factored into the cost equation.
We are also aware that Ms. Susan K. Kunz, Housing Administrator Office of Housing and
Community Development, and County of Hawaii Planning Director Zendo Kern, have written
letters of support for both items within Resolution 179-21.
Thank you for your service to our public here in the County of Hawaii, and for providing our
communities with affordable, obtainable housing.
Mahalo nui loa, Comm.
Ref. o;
1 Ref. Dote AUG 1 8 2021
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