HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 072 2022/08/02 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: August 2, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 894/Res. No. 475-22
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 10:44 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 475-22, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 475-22, transmitted by Housing Administrator Susan Kunz via Communication
No. 894, dated July 18, 2022, authorizes the exemption of certain code requirements, pursuant to
Section 201H-38 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the Hale Ola O Mohouli Affordable
Housing Project in Hilo, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key: 2-4-001:168. The project area is
9.091 acres. Resolution 475-22 was introduced by Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz, by request.
The Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) requests exemptions from
the following Zoning Code requirements to provide for the development of 90 additional
units: Section 25-2-41, which would allow changing the zoning district from Agriculture— 1 acre
(A-la) to Multifamily Residential—4,000 square feet(RM-4); and Section 25-4-47, which would
allow a 10-foot separation between main buildings instead of the required 15 feet.
Susan Kunz, Housing Administrator, and Keith Kato, Executive Director of HICDC, were
present in the Hilo Chambers; Jeremy McComber, Chief of Operations for HICDC, participated
via Zoom.
Mr. Kato provided an overview of the housing project, which is a 90-unit pocket neighborhood.
Each pocket will be made up of clusters consisting of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and two-story
apartment-styled units, with each unit having green space and a front lanai to promote
socialization between neighbors. Mr. Kato explained that they attempted to design as many
amenities as they could for the project, including a bus shelter, dog park, and community garden.
Committee Member Tim Richards asked for assurance that the sidewalks and walkways will be
compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA), to which Mr. Kato assured him the
project would be ADA-compliant. Mr. Richards noted that multi-story units would be a conduit
for more housing options rather than low-rise units, but still agrees with and supports the
project.
PC Report No.: 72
PC-72 Page 2 August 2,2022
Committee Member Holeka Inaba clarified that they are seeking exemptions for the zoning
classification and the 10-foot gap between units,to which Planning Deputy Director Jeff Darrow
responded they are. Mr. Darrow noted that the Planning Department is in support of the pocket
neighborhood concept, and in other cases, this request could be resolved through variances.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder questioned the decrease in the number of
planned units from 200 to 90. Mr. Kato explained that after a market study determined a variety
of homes were needed, HICDC reworked its design concept to address the need.
Committee Member Sue Lee Loy praised the plan and the amount of thought going into the
community that will be living there, and noted that the amenities are what communities want.
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz highlighted her admiration for the project's flexibility in
planning and design, and praised the project as much-needed to contribute to the island's housing
inventory. She affirmed that approval of the 201H would allow HICDC to secure more funding
to move the project forward and voiced her support for the measure.
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation and passed with six"ayes," with Committee Members Aaron Chung,
Maile David, and Rebecca Villegas absent.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 475-22,
and recommends its adoption.
Js .
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
INABA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
LEE LOY x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 72
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: AUG 1 7 2022