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REPORT OF THE POLICY <br />COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, <br />LAND USE, AND DEVELOPMENT <br />DATE: April 30, 2024 Re: Comm. No. 822/Bill No. 152 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 2:19 p.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, to which was referred Bill <br />No. 152, reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 152, transmitted by Committee Members Heather Kimball and Susan Lee Loy via <br />Communication No. 822, dated April 5, 2024, Amends Chapter 5, Article 1, Article 4, and <br />Article 7, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as Amended), Relating to <br />Pre -approved Plans for Residential Dwellings. <br />The bill adds a definition for "multi -family dwelling", and amends the plan review fee schedule <br />specific to pre -approved model plans for residential dwellings. <br />Committee Member Holeka Inaba assumed the role of Acting Chair of the Committee. <br />Ms. Kimball and Ms. Lee Loy introduced this bill to provide pre -approved plans for multi -unit <br />buildings, from duplexes to larger complexes, to speed up the permitting process. Ms. Lee Loy <br />noted that the bill offers an additional housing choice, provides a more affordable option for <br />multi -family residences. She emphasized how the proposed addition would help the Building <br />Division streamline its review process, allowing for more time to be spent on more unique <br />building plans. <br />Department of Public Works Building Division Chief Julann Sonomura was available in the Hilo <br />Chambers and Deputy Chief Kelly Wilson was available in the Kona Chambers for questions. <br />They conveyed their support for the proposed bill. <br />Committee Member Michelle Galimba appreciated the potential time saved through the <br />pre -approval process. Mr. Wilson shared that the Building Division typically reviews <br />pre -approved single-family dwelling packages within six days. <br />Committee Members Cindy Evans and Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder raised concerns about <br />definitions and what might be allowed under the term multi -family dwellings. Mr. Wilson noted <br />that current pre -approval processes focuses on single-family units, omits duplexes and exempts <br />residences under 900 square feet. He added that Bill 152 would rectify this by allowing pre - <br />approval for tiny homes and larger multi -family dwellings. Ms. Kimball <br />PCPLUD Report No. 10 <br />