HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-20 PL-CCI-2025-000012 Council Vice Chair Dennis Fresh Onishi Testimony From: Ishikuro, Kayla K.
To: LPCtestimony
Cc: Onishi. Dennis
Subject: Bill 63-Written Testimony
Date: Wednesday,August 20, 2025 1:33:56 PM
Attachments: Bill 63 Written Testimony.odf
Item #6 County Council (PL-CCI-2025-000012) Relating to Bill No. 63
Aloha,
Please see attached document titled "Bill 63 -Written Testimony"for the Leeward Planning
Commission meeting tomorrow,August 21, 2025 and let me know if you have any questions.
Thankyou,
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Legislative Assistant to
Council Vice Chair,Dennis"Fresh"Onishi
District 3—Portions of Hilo,Portions of Kea`au
808-961-8571
Dennis "Fresh" Onishi o�Mty of��'�� Phone No.: (808)961-8396
Council Vice Chair
dennis.onishi(a hawaiicounty.gov
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District 3 +'
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HAWAVI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
DATE: August 20, 2025
TO: Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission
Dean Au, Chair
Donna"Kinuko" Noborikawa, Vice Chair
FROM: Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Council Vice Chair
Council District 3
SUBJECT: Bill 63 —An Ordinance amending Chapter 25, Article 5, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016
Edition, as amended), Relating to Dwellings.
Dear Chair Au, Vice Chair Noborikawa, and members of the Leeward Planning Commission,
I am writing to express my strong support for Bill 63. The purpose of adding residential uses to industrial-
commercial mixed zoning is to create more housing opportunities for our residents in Hawaii County.
The Department of Civil Defense has agreed to support Bill 63, with the following addition to establish a
setback of at least 200 feet in areas of residential zoning where adjacent zoning allows for activities such as
heavy industrial and the potential exposure of dangerous and toxic materials and fumes. The health and safety
of the residents and visitors of Hawaii County are taken into consideration with regulated permits for this
setback that would be required in the planning and building process.
With the housing shortage in Hawaii County, this would also provide opportunities for residents to live and
work in the same neighborhoods, allowing for a shorter commute time. This will also help clear up traffic
congestion on our roadways. In turn, it will provide residents with more time in the day at home with families.
Some may even be able to walk to work, which will help our residents save on gas costs and walking to work is
a great additional health benefit.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi
Hawaii County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer