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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0333.022 2024-2026p CnundI 6i110 W.n.3 Lanihau 1toperties LLC TO. Box9032 Kaifua=Kona, H7 96745 2'fione: (808) 936-7129 • EFax• (808) 443-2404 Email• rsmith@fani(au.net January 6, 2026 © c-) The Honorable Holeka Inaba, Ph.D., Chair ;c and Presiding and Member of the Hawaii County Council ={:z County Council, Hilo Hawaii �- 0% o < Via email: counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov r y w RE: Support for Bill 63, Draft 2 (County Council, January 7, 2026) y N '- Aloha, my name is Riley Smith. I am the President/Chief Executive Officer of Lanihau Properties, LLC. We are the Owners and developers of West Hawaii Business Park which consists of 186.733 acres of Mixed Commercial -Industrial (MCX) zoning along with 85.733 acres of General Industrial (MG) zoned lands in Honokohau 1st and 2nd, North Kona. These lands are situated mauka of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and bounded by the Kaloko Industrial Park to the North and Honokohau Business Park to the South. Lanihau is strongly in support of Bill 63, Draft 2 which would allow residential uses (double -family or multiple -family) within the MCX zoned district. This area is centrally located between the mix of commercial (including Costco, Home Depot) and light industrial uses to the north, industrial and commercial tenants at West Hawaii Business Park (including the proposed Queen's Hospital project) and various light industrial uses (Isemoto, Kona Trans, Kaiser Permanente) to the south. We estimate that this combined area employs in excess of 2,000 workers, that would benefit from the availability of nearby housing opportunities. It is critical that these residential uses be allowed in proximity (walking distance) to these employment centers. We understand that one of the concerns raised by testimony before the Council is that any residential uses should be developed in compliance with the County Affordable Housing Policy as contained in Chapter 11 of the Hawaii County Code. Please be aware that Ordinance 94-110 as amended by Ordinances 18-115 and 22- 34 including Condition U which states: To ensure that the Goals and Policies of the Housing Element of the General Plan are implemented, the Applicant shall comply with the requirements of Comm. .32, , ti Ref. To: Ref. Date- JAN ' 7 2 02 Chapter 11, Article 1, Hawai'i County Code, relating to Affordable Housing Policy. Accordingly, if Bill 63, Draft 2 is adopted, any residential use within the MCX zoned portions of WHBP will be required to comply with the County's Affordable Housing Requirements. Furthermore, the zoning conditions require that any roads within the MCZ zoned areas be improved with curbs, gutters and sidewalks. The first phase of WHBP which connects Kimo Drive with Kanalani Street has been improved with these sidewalks which will be continued throughout the MCX zoned area to provide a safe and continuous pedestrian system through the project area. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, )t7 w Riley W. Smith, P.E. President/Chief Executive Officer