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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.071 2020-2022 IC, i l!112 cow �q5 COUNTY CLiJI)K February 4, 2022 COUNTY OF HX'N i WEST HAWAII ASSOCIATION OF REAl . 107 FEB : awai'i County Council 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96740 RE: Support of Bill 112 and Bill 115 Aloha Members of the Hawai'i County Council: The West Hawai'i Association of REALTORS", which represents over 900 active real estate licensees and affiliate businesses, supports Bill 112 and Bill 115 addressing Waikoloa Land Company's request to rezone land within Waikoloa Resort. According to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development,and Tourism's 2015 Report,Hawai'i Island will need to build between 21,564 and 23,632 new homes by 2025. We believe that passing Bill 112 and Bill 115 will not only help meet the need identified in the 2015 report but, equally important, will provide essential housing for the workforce serving the resorts in South Kohala. As you may know, many resort workers travel from Hilo and Ocean View to their jobs at the resorts because of a lack of affordable housing near their place of employment. Passing Bill 112 and Bill 115 would provide workers the housing they need so that they may spend less time commuting and more time with their families and community. We understand there are concerns regarding such rezoning and would like to address the following objections: . Traffic Concerns: Providing workforce housing closer to the resorts eliminates long commute times and means fewer people are on the road for longer distances. Additionally,guests staying in the time-share and residential units do not significantly add to the traffic concerns since guests primarily stay within the resort areas and/or are not generally traveling during peak commute times. • Influx of Construction Jobs: The opportunity to provide work for both skilled and non- skilled labor on our island is something we should encourage. Our community benefits when residents are able to secure stable and gainful employment. Passing Bill 112 and Bill 115 benefits our residents both in the short-term and long-term by providing jobs and affordable housing,respectively. • Affordability: Over the past two years, we have seen a significant increase in prices on everything from construction materials, to fuel, to groceries. We have also seen supply chains strained by the pandemic, causing further shipping delays and increased costs. The longer we wait to build affordable units,the higher the cost will be to build those units. We are doing a disservice to our residents and taxpayers by delaying construction of much-needed housing;we must take action now. We understand that the approval of new housing is a responsibility that the County Council does not take lightly. It is our hope that the Council will see the passing of Bill 112 and Bill 115 as an important step forward in helping us meet our housing demands while providing for our resident workforce. Respectfully submitted, Lance Owens Taylor Rodamer 2022 President Association Executive West Hawaii Association of REALTORS@ West Hawaii Association of REALTORS@) Todd Barrett Tanya Power Government Affairs Committee Chair Attainable Housing Task Force Chair West Hawaii Association of REALTORS@ West Hawaii Association of REALTORS® Ce.mm.No. Q •'1 Ref,Ta: G/ REALTOR` Ref.Da