HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-02 Bill 123 Jonathan Helton Testimony From: Jonathan Helton
To: WPCtestimonv
Subject: Testimony on Bill 121 and 123
Date: Tuesday,April 2,2024 2:31:38 PM
Attachments: Bill 123 Grassroot comments.odf
Bill 121 Grassroot comments.odf
Aloha,
Please see the attached testimony from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on the
proposed drafts of Bill 121 and Bill 123.
Thank you,
Jonathan
Jonathan Helton
Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
1050 Bishop St,#508
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808)864-1776 1(931)561-7124
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Removing barriers to Hawaii's prosperity
April 4, 2024, 9 a.m.
Hawaii County Council Chambers in Hilo
To: Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission
Dennis Lin, Chair
Louis Daniele III, Vice-Chair
From:Joe Kent, Executive vice president
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
RE: Agenda item no. 7 — Bill 123
Aloha Chair Lin, Vice-Chair Daniele III and members of the Commission,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii would like to offer its comments in support of Bill 123, which would abolish
the "ohana dwelling" permit, redefine ohana dwellings as "accessory dwelling units" and make changes to
where and how such units are allowed to be built.
Importantly, Bill 123 would abolish the existing duplicative approval process that requires someone interested
in building an ADU to get a specific ADU permit before applying for their building permit — even if the ADU
would be allowed by the zoning and would have adequate water and wastewater access.
The Grassroot Institute pointed out in a recent policy brief, "How to facilitate more homebuilding in Hawaii,"
that: "ADUs might not be right for everyone, but they are easier to build and less expensive than a brand new,
full-size single-family home or duplex, and are a convenient way to house older or younger family members
and build intergenerational wealth for the primary homeowners."'
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Joe Kent
Executive vice president
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
1 Jonathan Helton, ",jow to facilitate more homebuildine in Hawaii,"Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, December 2023, p. 15.
1050 Bishop St.#508 Honolulu,HI 96813 808-864-1776 info@grassrootinstitute.org
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