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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PC 2022/08/02 2020-2022 Committee on Planning 27th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai i August 2, 2022 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Planning was called to order at 10:44 a.m. ORDER: in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member Absent& Excused: Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Vice Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Mr. Clerk, if we could move on to business for today, Communication 885. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 885: NOMINATION OF DAINA SAIKI TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated July 15, 2022, requesting the Council's review and confirmation. Requires Council Confirmation by: August 28, 2022 (Section 13-4(k), Hawaii County Charter) PC-27 August 2,2022 Vote on Comm. 885: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend confirmation of the (Approved) appointment of Ms. Daina Saiki to the Board of Appeals. Seconded by Mr. Inaba and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, and Chair Kierkiewicz—6. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Chung, David, and Villegas —3. Excused: None. Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome came forward and provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience. Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. Saiki, the Council will officially deliberate and make a decision on your nomination in two weeks at our next Council meeting, which I believe is scheduled for August 17''. Thank you. ANNOUNCEMENT: At this time, the Chair requested that Ms. Bartolome introduce Student Intern from the Mayor's Office Bryn Wilcox, who was in attendance at the meeting, who then made a brief statement. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. Res. 475-22: AUTHORIZES THE EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN CODE REQUIREMENTS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2011-1-38 OF THE HAWAII REVISED STATUES, FOR THE HALE OLA O MOHOULI AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN HILO, HAWAII, COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 2-4-001:168 (Area: 9.091 acres) The Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation requests exemptions from the following Zoning Code requirements to provide for the development of 90 affordable rental 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-foot separation. Reference: Comm. 894 Intr. by: Ms. Kierkiewicz (B/R) Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend adoption of Res. 475-22. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. Page 2 PC-27 August 2,2022 CHR KIERKIEWICZ: If I could please call forward our Housing Administrator Susan Kunz; and the Developer, Keith Kato, from Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation. And just a reminder to my colleagues, the 201H application is a tool within our HRS (Hawai`i Revised Statues)to expedite affordable housing production. There is a timing element, so when it's filed with the Clerk's Office, the 45-day clock starts ticking. And so, we have to make a decision on this application within that time frame or whatever is brought forward to us today, automatically gets adopted. So,just wanted to make sure everybody was clear on process and timing. Administrator Kunz, go ahead. (Note: At this time, Housing Administrator Susan Kunz came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. KUNZ: Thank you, that's exactly correct. My name is Susan Kunz. I am the Housing Administrator for the Office of Housing and Community Development. So I'm here today to help facilitate this approval process for this 201H for the Hale Ola O Mohouli project in Hilo. I do have here Keith Kato, as you introduced. I believe Jeremy McComber, who is the Chief of Operations is also on Zoom. And Jeff Darrow is also in the room, who iseverybody knows him, Deputy Planning Director. So he can help navigate or make any comments regarding the two exemptions that are being requested. So I think at this time, I'll turn it over to Keith and maybe he can give a brief summary of the project and talk about the two exemptions they're requesting. (Note: At this time, Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation's Executive Director Keith Kato and Chief of Operations Jeremy McComber came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. KATO: Sure, yeah, thank you. For the record, I'm Keith Kato, Executive Director, Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation. Thanks for the opportunity to speak a little bit about this project. I believe all of you received a larger copy of the site plan this morning. Jeremy, could you put that up, share that screen? I just need to say that Jeremy is not here because he's not feeling well. It's not as though we need a remote control or computer operator. But, so anyway, this project is our attempt to implement this concept called pocket neighborhoods. Now, I've visited similar projects on the mainland, and they seem to be very pleasant living environments. They're basically low-rise, mostly single-family clustered around a common green area. And the design is such that,to get to your unit, you need to walk on the sidewalks of the greens so that it fosters interaction among the residents. You know, you see each other going to and from your cars and the units. Page 3 PC-27 August 2,2022 The units themselves basically all have front porches. And these are like functional front porches that you can actually put chairs and tables out there. And again, it's an attempt to create more socialization within the project. So, the site plan as you will note is, you know, basically set up as a series of clusters. And mostly single-family, but actually, well I wouldn't say mostly. But there's a lot of single-family, some duplexes, some triplexes. And then along Mohouli Street, and along the Dispatch Center side, you know, we're going to have two-story apartment-style buildings. We originally, you know, started out thinking that we would basically do more senior housing projects like we did on the 15 acres below. But when we really started looking at the site closely, and you know, revisited this concept of this pocket neighborhood, we thought, you know, this would be a great thing to try to do to see if we could make it work. So you know, it basically became an exercise and tried to do a layout that works. So, we engaged our architect who actually originated this concept. He's from Whidbey Island in Washington State. And he's put what I thought a pretty nice plan here. So, the other, you know, factor that was sort of driving us was, we were trying to fit as best we could into the neighborhood. And so we thought,this kind of low-rise project would work better than two and three-story, you know, apartment buildings, which would probably be needed to be configured that way if we're going to achieve that, you know, 200-unit configuration. So, you know,that's where we're at. This is very early in the development process. You know, at this point, we're seeking the zoning, because without the zoning we cannot apply for funding. But we don't have funding yet. And so, you know, we're just trying to get the ball rolling here. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Mr. Kato. Going to open it up to my colleagues for questions or comments. Council Members? Mr. Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. I think we did the land use amendment, correct? There were some questions that arose. I mean, some were simple. The documents just were wrong. They showed it being on a street that it wasn't on, as far as the map. Simple fixes. But then there's other references to a resolution that pre-existed this. But the TMK's (Tax Map Keys) were not correct, if I remember right. Does that sound correct to you guys? MS. KUNZ: Yes, you are correct. But we are going to address that in the Finance Committee meeting today. We have an amendment to that resolution coming forward. Page 4 PC-27 August 2,2022 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, good. So, we're going to go back and fix what was done that wasn't correct, so we can proceed with this and be comfortable with all the background information being matching, right? Okay. And then,just going back to some of the other information. This is a separate EO (Executive Order) as well from the Governor's Office, because the original project was EO 4224, and this project is on EO 4531. Correct? Does that sound right? MR. KATO: You know, I'm not certain about the numbering, but it is definitely a separate EO from what we got further down the street. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Because of that first meeting, and there was a lot of little mistakes that I want it back. And I just, you know, I went back through all the data to make sure that everything is good and we're moving forward in a nice fashion and that all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed, and we're looking good. And so far, everything looks great to me. MS. KUNZ: And so you'll see this afternoon that the project does actually align with the EO that you're referring to. So, we have all of that documentation for this later discussion. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. That's all I had, Chair, thank you. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Yeah, thank you. I think anything we can do to get housing is important. And I like the concept. I assume somewhere in here when you talk about having to walk to each of the units, there's ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliancy is all parts of this. And I'm sure that's the case, but I just wanted acknowledgement. Yeah, okay. I'm not sure if keeping it totally low is the right thing to do, because we need housing. But, any type of housing we can get going forward. So, I'm supportive of this going forward to do whatever we can do to, so we can get the housing built. End of story. So, thanks. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, anyone else? Mr. Inaba. MR. INABA: Just wanting to confirm, maybe Deputy Darrow, regarding the 10-foot separations instead of the 15. I'm not the best at Building Code, and I don't think anyone from DPW (Department of Public Works) is here. So, if you want to just speak to that? But I'm okay with number Page 5 PC-27 August 2,2022 one. And I just want to make sure I am okay with number two exemption as well. (Note: At this time, Planning Deputy Director Jeff Darrow came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. DARROW: Good morning, Chair Kierkiewicz and Members of the County Council. Jeff Darrow with the Planning Department. I'm sorry, Council Member Inaba, if you could repeat your question? MR. INABA: Yes. As part of this 201H application, the developer is seeking exemptions from the rezoning and then Section 25-4-47, which is this 10-foot separation between main buildings, rather than the required 15. Just any thoughts from the department's side on that. MR. DARROW: It's the standard that we use whenever people are building numerous structures onsite, there has to be that separation distance. If this wasn't a 201H application requesting the exemption, there is the variance process that somebody could come through. We are very supportive, especially with the design of the pocket neighborhood that they're proposing. It seems like that's definitely an appropriate ask to be able to incorporate with the project. MR. INABA: Thank you very much. Look forward to supporting. Thank you, Chair. MR. DARROW: Thank you. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, you have the floor. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Follow-up question for the developers. Were the separate entrances within the across the County site that's being built, the Dispatch Center, as well as off Mohouli Street? Was that originally proposed or is that a change? MR. KATO: When we first did the layout, we didn't anticipate going across the County site to that location. But when we had our preliminary meetings with Public Works, and specifically the traffic side. Basically, the head of Traffic Division said, you know, rather than create another major entry on Mohouli, he'd rather see us connect to the existing entry, which is Kupuna Place. So, we did that, you know, with the cooperation of Public Works and the Mayor. But we also included a separate right-in, right-out entry or exit. So that, you know, just ease the flow of traffic. Page 6 PC-27 August 2,2022 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I think that's smart. And then, that's all with the approval of DPW and the associated agencies? MR. KATO: Correct. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Traffic counts, all that's been done? Okay, and I see the documents that you put, I guess, a$500,000 kind of good-faith money towards the project, but also towards the installation of a traffic signal. Is that right as well? MR. KATO: Right. This is when we were developing the makai property, the 15 acres down there. You know, we had some discussions and the thought that eventually, it would be good to have a traffic signal there. If nothing else,just because, you know, our clients, a lot of them are seniors, and it's not the easiestactually, the exit is more the issue than anything else. So, we had a discussion with Ron Thiel, who at that time was the head of the Traffic Division. And he said, "Well, if Public Works were to contract it out, you know, it'll cost them $1 million." But if they had $500,000, they would be able to buy the equipment and install it themselves. And so, we said, well, okay, we could supply you with that. You know, because at that point, actually the project had sufficient funding to carry that. And so, we were able to do that. In fact, we made the deposit. And that was, I think, a good situation. I'm hoping eventually, a light will be installed there. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: This is Kupuna Place or at the entrance to—off of Mohouli Street? MR. KATO: That's at Kupuna Place. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Are they going to be putting left turn or right turn lanes where the Mohouli Street entrance is? MR. KATO: You know, I'm not sure. You know, we had some discussions about that with the head of the Traffic Division. And he was a little skeptical about that. And the reason is this, and you'll experience it if you go out on Kupuna Place. But if somebody is in that right turn lane and you're trying to come out, they effectively block your line of vision going makai. You know, it's like a—it's kind of a problem from an exiting standpoint. I think for the people trying to get off Mohouli, you know, and not create a slowdown, but just slowing down on Mohouli to make the right, it works better for that way. But from a safety standpoint, it kind of creates, I think a hazard to have that right turn pocket. Page 7 PC-27 August 2,2022 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I agree. And I'd like to see some more thought put into that between you and DPW. I use that road almost every day. That's why I'm asking these questions. Because I go up to the cafe and back, and Mohouli extension is quicker and faster than going up around Komohana and Waianuenue to Kaumana. So, the reason I'm asking is with that much traffic flow increase, we're going to need to really safety up that portion of the roadway. Because people coming down that road are going pretty quickly, 40-50 miles-an-hour. And as you come down around that turn towards Komohana, you are facing two entrances now that service a lot of folks, and a lot of them being our senior residents. And so, just making sure we're making it a very safe entry and exit from the two areas would, I think, be beneficial for the community. MR. KATO: Well, the upper one is a right-in, right-out only, you know. So, they're not going to affect the makai-bound traffic on Mohouli with that intersection. And that was something that, you know, Traffic said. That's what they want, the right-in, right-out. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, that's good. So they're not going to be crossing. MR. KATO: No, not over there. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, that's good. Okay, well, I appreciate the answers. Thank you very much. Thank you, Chair. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Anyone else? Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. You know, aside from what's going on on Mohouli, you know, I like this entire plan. I think it gives a lot of thought to the community that will be living there. Especially, meeting some of our other goals as it relates to, you know,just a more healthy community. I like that this plan actually already lends itself to some of the amenities that a community would be looking for: A dog park, a tot park;there's an area for a bus shelter. I mean a lot of thought went into this pocket neighborhood. And although I know we're asking for a reduction in the separation between buildings, I actually think that this project lent itself a little bit more with its garden and community garden along our rear yard or side yard. Where normally that would be maybe a 20-foot setback, you guys are giving 30. So, I see it actually as a really nice trade off. And you know, this is the one project that kind of pulls everybody together. So, thank you for advancing this, Page 8 PC-27 August 2,2022 Mr. Kato. I'm in full support of this project and look forward to this moving forward onto the Council. I think this is the right place at the right time. And then we have the emergency facility right next, but we also have our kupuna community right next to that. So, I think this is a nice infill project too. So, thank you. I will be in support of this. Chair, I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Anyone else? Ms. Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Yeah, I just had two quick questions. Thank you, Mr. Kato for being here. Am I mixing this up with another project, but were there supposed to be a few more units previously? And the numbers came down to 90. MR. KATO: Actually, when we first had the idea of doing this project, or a project on this site, and prepping up for trying to get the EO from DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources), we just assumed that we would just continue what we're doing, further down. And then, you know,the project filled up quickly. I mean, all three phases. And so, we thought well, maybe we could get 200 units in, you know, on nine acres. Which would fit if we had, you know, two and three-stories. You know, the same style of construction. Apartment buildings. But, after considering, I guess the surrounding neighborhoods as well as,just you know, what an opportunity this is to implement this kind of concept, that we decided to make the switch into this style of development. And also when we got the market study back, you know, we found that there was a lot more need for just family housing, as opposed to senior housing. And so, two-thirds of it is, you know, going to be family. MS. KIMBALL: Okay, thank you. I just want to make sure it's clear in my head. I agree with Council Member Lee Loy, you know, there's a lot of nice things in this design, that I think most communities would be jealous. Everybody's going to want that dog park in the corner. I got people calling me about that all the time. So, you know, you might get people coming in just to use that park. The other question I had, the only thought I had around the setback change would be Fire's input, and I see that they've just requested that you put in fire sprinklers. Is that something that you're able to—it can be a costly addition to a project? Is that already a part of the design of these units? MR. KATO: Yeah, our goal is to, you know, design it so we're complying with the Fire Code and the Building Code. And if it requires sprinklers, you know, to be honest with you, we probably have to change the design. Page 9 PC-27 August 2,2022 You know, we're doing the redevelopment of the Papa`aloa Elderly Project out in Papa`aloa, and we couldn't meet the turnaround requirements based on the configuration of the site. So we ended up, you know, putting in sprinklers in the buildings. And they're costing $28,000 per building. So, it's a substantial cost. And you know, if need be I guess we would have to eliminate some of the single-family dwellings. Make them into duplexes or something to create the separation. But again, our intent, and we will, comply with the Building Code and the Fire Code, you know, regardless. MS. KIMBALL: Okay, thank you. That's all I had, Chair. Thank you, I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, anyone else? Thank you, Mr. Kato for being here. Administrator Kunz, for rallying all the different departments and agencies to work with. HICDC. Thank you, Jeremy, for being online. Hope you feel better soon. Really appreciate your flexibility in the planning and design, and bringing on products that are actually needed in our community. Love the concept here; love the sense of belonging and strong-knit community that it's attempting to create. Mr. Kato,just want to confirm that, you know, should the Council advance this 201H, will it help you to gain the funding and financing that you need to make this project happen. MR. KATO: Oh, it's absolutely essential. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. MR. KATO: They won't allow us to apply for funding without it. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Perfect. So this is a critical piece for you to advance to the next step of development. MR. KATO: Yes. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, great. Thank you. I will be supporting this as well. There is a motion on the floor to forward this resolution to the Council with a favorable recommendation. All in favor please say "aye." Page 10 PC-27 August 2,2022 Vote on Res. 475-22: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 475-22, (Approved) was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, and Chair Kierkiewicz—6. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Chung, David, and Villegas—3. Excused: None. CHR. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, everyone. That brings us to the end of our agenda. May I have a motion to adjourn? ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 11:17 a.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, and Chair Kierkiewicz—6. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Chung, David, and Villegas—3. Excused: None. CHR. KIERKIEWICZ: Planning Committee is adjourned. Thank you. Approved: NAJUIL- - ._ (?5 J)ôa-- Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair (Date) Planning Committee AK/dt Page 11