HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0463.003 2004-2006 /IV~~ •
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N 1'o I Aswc' n<e d
``/11, Ird srciol and dN Prapenies
The Farum far Commercial Real Esm(e
NAIOP Hawaii
P.O. Box 1601
Honolulu, Hawaii 96806
Telephone: (808) 845-4994 Fax: (808) 847-6575 E-mail: barbie(c~naiophawaii.org--Web site:
www.naionhawaii.ore
December 9, 2005
VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL
The Honorable Stacy K. Higa,
Chair and Presiding Member
Hawaii County Council
County of Hawaii Building _
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Testimony In Opposition to Bill No. 156, "An Ordinance Amending Chapter 11
(Housing), Article 1, Section 11-4(D), Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), to
Include Affordable Housing Requirements for Industrial Park Developments"
Dear Chair Higa:
My name is Jim Mee, and I am submitting this testimony on behalf of the Hawaii chapter
of the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties (NAIOP Hawaii). NAIOP Hawaii
is an association of Hawaii property owners, managers, developers, financial institutions and real
estate related professionals who are involved in the areas of commercial and industrial real
estate.
Our organization has concerns regarding Bill No. 156. Our first concern has to do with
whether additional affordable housing requirements will have a negative impact generally on job
creation in the industrial and commercial sectors.
Our second concern has to do with the impact of this bill on small businesses. Presently,
in accordance with the General Plan, the affordable housing requirements are applicable to "large
industries." Through re-definition of what constitutes a "large industry," this bill would in effect
extend this requirement to small businesses that may occupy an industrial or business park, or
other commercial development. Apart from whether this change is in accordance with the
General Plan, it may be a disincentive to constructing space catering to small business. [t also~/ ,
Comm. No. 7~ ~ 3r-.
Ref. To: ~G' ~
Ref. Date _.pEC 1 4 2005
The Honorable Stacy K. Higa,
Chair and Presiding Member
Hawaii County Council
December 9, 2005
Page 2
could create economic inequalities between small businesses which occupy standalone space and
those that occupy amulti-user mall or business park.
Third, we can see practical problems in trying to detennine whether the affordable
housing requirements apply. For amulti-user development, it may not be possible to know how
many people are actually going to be working there, as that would depend on what types of
businesses ultimately occupy the space.
For these and other reasons, we believe this is not a good bill and should not be passed by
the Council. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to testify on this measure.
Very tr\u1ly yours,
Ja K. Mee
Chai , egislative Affairs Committee
365493.01