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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0077.005 2024-2026 P/Ci Unit Nancy Carr Smith Sill 17 65-1174 Kahawai St. Kamuela, HI 96743 COMt4'71 808-896-2239 nancy@alohakohalarealty.com January 31,2025 County Council Chair Holeka Inaba Via email:counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov 4-17 Regarding: Council Meeting Wednesday, Feb.5, 2025 @ 9am 3 Relating to County Council Bills 17&18 Testimony in Favor Aloha Chair Inaba,Vice Chair Onishi, and Council members, My name is Nancy Carr Smith, and I am a resident of Waimea. I am testifying on my own behalf,in support of Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) Bill17 which Amends the State Land Use District Map by changing the district classification from an Agricultural District to an Urban District,at`Ouli, South Kohala fora 14.321 acre portion of a larger 237.5 acre parcel of land, also known as TMK 3-6-2-001-075, and Bill 18 Change of Zone from an Agricultural 1 acre zoning district to a Single Family Residential 10,000 sq ft,for the same portion of the TMK. This project of HICDC's is desperately needed in Waimea.The self-help component along with the affordable housing for sale,are two middle sections of the housing market that tend to be missing in Waimea. Our kama'aina are watching their kids move to the mainland because they cannot afford to live here, and having these housing products available,will provide a potential option for a segment of our community that needs help with affordability. The self-help concept is excellent as it requires the purchaser sweat equity and"buy in"in terms of labor to help build their own home.There is a lot of value in that,on a variety of levels, as many lifelong lessons can be taken away from this experience.We are fortunate to have this opportunity in our own backyard, and especially with the land having been donated,which cuts down on the cost for HICDC.We all know that these days the cost to build is often out of reach, but we are fortunate to have Keith Kato and his team at HICDC,along with their experience and knowledge of this entire process,at the helm of this important project. HICDC deserves all of our support in order to provide this timely, and affordable opportunity to 43 fortunate families.We should be applauding them for the efforts, along with the land donor,who is helping to make this possible.The land reclassification, as well as the zoning change is appropriate for the area,and in line with the General Plan and the CDP, not to mention the overall hopes for the community. Let's support housing for locals, by approving this important project. Mahalo for your consideration! Nawc Cater 51/1/titi Nancy Carr Smith `"`°'eum. 808-896-2239 " '' , . L= Rei'. Dula FIB ® 5 2025