HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0417.010 2020-2022 i
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W14M. 1
From: Karen Hotchkiss
Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2021 7:13 PM
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To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony regarding the EPIC Online Permitting System, Committee on Public Works and
Mass Transit
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Dear Council Members,
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I am very disappointed to hear that the Mayor's office and the Planning Department plan to expedite
certain permits, prioritizing contractors over owner-builders. I feel that giving contractors
preferential treatment unfairly penalizes owner-builders.
My husband and I have been waiting for an owner-builder permit since February to build our
primary residence. Owner-builders also support the local economy, since we employ Hawaii
architects, plumbers, and electricians, not to mention the building supplies we have purchased
locally.
While I am glad to hear that the administration and Planning Department are trying to solve the
backlog problem, I don't think this is the right solution. Owner-builders and their families are being
impacted along with contractors and their families. I believe the fairest course of action is to work
the permits in the order they were received.
Thank you,
Daren Hotchkiss
Comm. No.
Ref. To,
Ref. Date—'NOV 1 6 2021
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From: Karen Hotchkiss
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2021 6:56 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Additional Testimony regarding EPIC
Dear Council Members,
I have a few questions in addition to my previously submitted testimony.
How many of the permit applications currently in the backlog are from owner-builders and how
many are from contractors?
How many of these applications are at each stage of the process? When our application was returned
for changes before the implementation, we were told that it was in the final review process and when
we resubmitted, it would pick up where it had left off. We resubmitted after implementation and it
went to 20% complete on the first day and hasn't changed for 2 months.
Does the vendor of this software offer additional support and training?
Thank you,
Karen Hotchkiss