HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-13 KCDP AC Letter to Council - Bill 63 Draft 3
County of Hawai‘i
KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720 (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D.
Mayor
John Pelletier, Chair Raymond Kirchner Vacant Shane Palacat-Nelsen Charles Young Nancy Pisicchio, Vice Chair Charla Thompson
Vacant Roselyn Molina
February 13, 2026
Council Chair Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba and Members of the Hawaiʻi County Council County of Hawaiʻi 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402
Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
SUBJECT: Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee – Testimony on Bill 63 (Draft 3), Relating to Dwellings
Aloha Council Chair Inaba and Council Members:
The Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) met on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center. Among the agenda items was a discussion regarding submission of testimony on Bill 63 (Draft 3), relating to dwellings.
On February 4, 2026, a revised draft of Bill 63 was introduced and approved by the Hawaiʻi County Council (Communication No. 333.17). This measure would require applicants seeking approval to develop workforce housing within the Industrial-Commercial Mixed (MCX) District to obtain a use permit pursuant to Section 25-5-132(b)
of the Hawaiʻi County Code. The AC supports this provision requiring use permit review for dwellings within the MCX District. Case-by-case evaluation provides an opportunity to ensure that proposed projects meaningfully contribute to the provision of needed workforce housing and are
appropriately considered within the district context. As part of that review process, the AC respectfully recommends that applicants address the following:
1. The relationship between the proposed workforce housing and employment opportunities located within the MCX District; and
Council Chair Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba and Members of the Hawaiʻi County Council
February 13, 2026 Page 2
2. The affordability of proposed dwellings for the workforce population they are intended to serve.
Mahalo for your time, consideration, and continued commitment to thoughtful and
collaborative policymaking on matters affecting our communities. Sincerely,
John Pelletier, Chair Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee
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