HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-CCI-2022-000002 S. DONOHO, KOHALA COAST RESORT ASSN TESTIMONY 10.6.2022Araujo, Jaclyn
From: kohalacoastresortassn@gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, October 6, 2022 4:22 PM
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Testimony for October 20, 2022 meeting
Attachments: Testimony on Bill 194 to Leeward Planning Commission 10.20.22.pdf
Aloha,
Attached please find the KCRA's testimony on agenda item number 4 for the Leeward Planning Commission's 10/20/22
meeting.
Mahalo,
Stephanie
Stephanie Donoho
Administrative Director
Kohala Coast Resort Association
PO Box 6991
Kamuela, HI 96743
kohalacoastresortassn(@2mail.com
(808) 747-5762
Kohala Coast
RESORT ASSOCIATION
October 7, 2022
Michael Vitousek, Chair
Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission
Hawaii County Aupuni Center
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720
RE: Opposition to changes suggested by County Council Bill 194 — agenda item 4
Dear Chair Vitousek and Members of the Leeward Planning Commission,
The Kohala Coast Resort Association (KCRA) is opposed to the changes outlined in County Council Bill 194, an Ordinance Amending
Chapter 25, Article 2, Division 4 of Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to conditions on change of zone
actions. The proposed bill would no longer allow the current practice, allowing the Planning Director to extend the time allowed to
satisfy conditions within a change of zone ordinance, unless specifically allowed by the Hawaii County Council.
We believe this change would add unnecessary time and expense to an already lengthy approval process.
In April 2022, the University of Hawaii's Economic Research Organization (UHERO) published a brief stating that Hawaii had some of
the most restrictive regulations in the nation, making it difficult to meet the state's demand for housing, especially affordable
workforce housing. Using the Wharton Residential Land Use Regulatory Index (Wharton Index), UHERO showed that Hawaii County
leads the nation with the most onerous regulatory environment. The full report can be viewed here: https://uhero.hawaii.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2022/04/MeasuringTheBurdenOfHousingRegulationlnHawaii.pdf. This proposal, if approved, would add another
layer to that regulatory process.
This proposal could also open the door to challenges if the Hawaii County Council members serving at the time when an extension
was requested by the Planning Director were in disagreement with the decision of the previous Hawaii County Council members
who initially granted the change in zone. Projects could flounder, as there would be no guarantee that subsequent councils wouldn't
try to amend the conditions specified in the change in zoning agreement between the county and developer.
The KCRA has been a staunch supporter of affordable workforce housing projects throughout Hawaii Island. We serve on Vibrant
Hawaii's Housing Coalition and have supported the Planning Department's efforts to update zoning and building codes to find
creative solutions to address our affordable housing needs. We believe the changes requested in Bill 194 would further delay the
rollout of affordable housing projects across our island.
KCRA members employ 5,000 people, supporting 20,000 Hawaii Island residents at their hotels, timeshares, restaurants, retail
outlets, golf courses and spas. Additionally, in 2022, KCRA members will pay an estimated $60 million in state and county TAT, and
$40 million in state and county GET. Further, KCRA members, and the residents within our resorts, pay $134 million in property
taxes to Hawaii County, one third of total collections. And finally, between 2016 and the present, KCRA members have invested
more than $1.65 billion in infrastructure and property upgrades, supporting Hawaii Island's construction industry.
Please allow the Planning Director to continue to use his/her discretion when determining if a timeline should be extended, without
additional Hawaii County Council approvals.
Sincerely,
P�
Stephanie Donoho
Administrative Director, Kohala Coast Resort Association
PO Box 6991, Kamuela, HI 96743 * (808) 747-5762 * kohalacoastresortassn@gmail.com * www.kohalacoastresorts.com