HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 003 2019/01/08 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: January 8, 2019 Re: Comm.No. 28/Bill No. 6
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo,Hawai`i
TIME: 1:40 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning,to which was referred Bill No. 6,reports as follows:
Bill No. 6,transmitted by Mayor Harry Kim via Communication No. 28, dated December 7, 2018,
amends Ordinance No. 07-26,which reclassified lands from Open(0)to Multiple Family
Residential— 1,000 square feet(RM-1)at Waiakea, South Hilo,Hawaii, covered by
Tax Map Key: 2-4-057:029,Portion 030 and Portion 031 (Formerly 2-4-057:001)
(Applicant: Hawai`i Island Veterans Memorial, Inc.) (Area: 4.888 Acres).
Mayor Kim forwarded the Windward Planning Commission's favorable recommendation to grant a
10-year time extension to Condition C (Complete Construction), and its unfavorable recommendation to
defer the requirements of Condition B (Water Commitment) and delete Condition F (Install Street Lights
and Traffic Controls). The applicant's current plan is to establish the Ka Hui Koa development project
consisting of approximately 96 rental housing units and a community center, located at the north corner
of the Kawili Street and Kapi`olani Street intersection.
Representing the project before the Planning Committee was Bob Williams of Hawai`i Island Veterans
Memorial, Inc. (HIVM),the project's planning consultant Yukie Ohashi, and co-project developer
Marian Gushiken of EAH. Mr. Williams provided some history and a brief update of the project as it
had originally been approved in 2007. He explained that the property had recently been divided into two
sections,with one parcel designated for the HIVM veterans' center and clinic, and the other parcel being
dedicated to 96 affordable housing units for senior veterans and/or their spouses. The parcel with
housing is on lease to HIVM and EAH from the Department of Land&Natural Resources.
The applicant accepted the recommendation of the Planning Department and Windward Planning
Commission to meet all conditions laid out in the ordinance, in particular items the applicant requested
be deferred or deleted: Condition B to fund the water commitment and Condition F to fund signalization
near the project should the Department of Public Works deem work necessary.
Committee Vice Chair Sue Lee Loy and Council Member Karen Eoff both voiced their appreciation for
this project as a model of housing affordability and wrap around services to veterans.
Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked about the electrical and renewable energy plans for
the development and suggested consideration of solar energy to lower costs.
PC Report No. 3
PC-3 Page 2 January 8, 2019
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz asked what the anticipated cost of the project would be and asked
about funding streams being pursued as she was hopeful for the project's financing to be place in order
to bring much needed housing and services to veterans in the community. Ms. Gushiken shared the
affordable housing piece would cost$10 million. Mr. Williams explained that the veterans' center was
expected to cost$10 million;he noted two applications already submitted to the county(vouchers,tax
exemptions) and a target year of 2020 to submit an application to the State for bonds. Mr. Williams
noted that the veterans center could be developed into a health care facility to better serve residents
should the need for these types of services arise. Committee Chair Kierkiewicz wanted assurances that
the conditions relating to water and traffic would be met, and that annual filing reports would be
submitted, noting that some had been missed in the past. Mr. Williams promised he would follow
through with these items.
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to council with a positive recommendation
and passed unanimously with nine"ayes."
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 6, and recommends its
passage on first reading.
ck
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
EOFF X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
LEE LOY X J T
POINDEXTER x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 3
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: JAN 2 3 2019