HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-04 PD PowerPoint Presentation PL-CCI-2025-012 COUNTY COUNCIL INITIATED
BILL 63 RELATING TO DWELLINGS
IN MCX ZONING DISTRICTS
AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 25, ARTICLE 5, DIVISION 13, SECTION 25-5-132
OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED)
(PL-CCI-2025-000012)
PRESENTED AT THE SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING
o The Hawaii County Council has introduced Bill 63, which seeks to amend HCC
Section 25-5-132 (a) to add dwellings as a permitted use within the industrial-
commercial mixed use (MCX) district to read as follows:
o "( ) Dwellings, double-family or duplex, provided that the maximum density is one
thousand two hundred and fifty square feet of land area per rentable unit or dwelling
unit."
o "( ) Dwellings, multiple-family, provided that the maximum density is one thousand
two hundred and fifty square feet of land area per rentable unit or dwelling unit."
o "( ) Dwellings, single-family."
o The MCX district was established in 1996 with the intent to promote and maintain
a viable mix of light industrial and commercial uses.
o Some of the offensive industrial-type uses of the MCX district include
warehousing, wholesaling and distribution operations, light manufacturing,
processing, and packaging establishments, minor agricultural products processing
facilities, heavy equipment sales, service, and rental, and automobile repair
facilities.
o This bill supports the growing movement to create more mixed-use neighborhoods,
where homes, shops, and services can exist side by side. By permitting these kinds
of developments, we can open the door to more housing choices for local families
and individuals who are feeling the strain of our ongoing housing crisis. Recent
studies, including the June 2023 Hawaii Housing Factbook report produced by
UHERO, along with state efforts like HB2090 (Act 037), point to multi-family
housing in mixed-use areas as an important part of the solution to increasing the
supply of homes in Hawaii.
o The Planning Director is supportive of the intent of Bill 63 and commends the
County Council for its leadership in advancing legislation that allows for dwellings
to be a permitted use within the MCX zoning districts. The Planning Director is
recommending the following revision to Bill 63 to address Civil Defense Agency's
concerns regarding proximity of possible hazardous uses on adjacent properties in
the MG zoning district to new dwellings that could be established in the MCX
district:
Add subsection (b) to Section 25-5-138. Other regulations.
(a) Plan approval shall be required for all new structures and additions to existing
structures in the MCX district.
(b) Any dwellings within the MCX district shall have a minimum setback of 200
feet from the property boundary adjoining any General Industrial (MG) district or
increased if required by the director.
Lc) Exceptions to the regulations for the MCX district regarding heights, building
site areas, building site average widths and yards, may be approved by the
commission within a planned unit development.
o The table below identifies MCX zoned properties and acreage in each judicial
district and in relation to MG zoned properties. There is a total of 117 MCX
properties in the County with 15 that are adjacent to the MG zoning district. 14 of
these properties are in N. Kona, and 1 in S. Hilo.
FCX Zone Property Couni 117 63 37 13 3 1
F' CX Zone Acres 414.42 i
acent to MG (f 77 15 14 1 1 1 1
cent to MG...®.... ..1...... 1 1 194.08 , 1 1 1
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n � MCX-20 �..
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ML-10 ML"io n �'. '. ML•20 MCX•20 t�
Mcx 20 �� MCX-20 q
MCX 40
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THE PLANNING DIRECTOR RECOMMENDS THAT
THE PLANNING COMMISSION SEND A
FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION OF BILL 63 TO THE
COUNTY COUNCIL INCLUDING THE PROPOSED
LANGUAGE OUTLINED IN THE PLANNING
DIRECTOR'S AMENDMENT
o Both the windward & Leeward Planning Commissions are required to take action
on Bill 63 by transmitting their recommendations to the council by October 1 ,
2025.
O Each commission may recommend approval of all, some, or none of the Director's
suggestions. Each commission may also recommend their own revisions to the bill.
o Both Commission's recommendations will be forwarded separately, but at the same
time, to the County Council for their consideration and decision.
o In the event a commission fails to act on the proposed bill by this date, such
inaction shall be considered as an unfavorable recommendation by the
commission.
WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION
AT THEIR SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 HEARING, THE WINDWARD PLANNING
COMMISSION VOTED TO SEND A FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION OF
BILL 63 TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL INCLUDING THE PROPOSED
LANGUAGE OUTLINED IN THE PLANNING DIRECTOR`S
AMMENDMENT