330 Kuulei / Bill 7 & 8 statement at June Kailua Town Board
Aloha Friends and Neighbors,
This situation takes a little bit of time to explain and understand - please be patient, I'll make it as clear as I can in following posts.
I read a statement at the Kailua Town Board meeting for the board members, to many of whom, details of this is a bit of a surprise. This is because Bill 7 allows for affordable housing apartments to be built without having to notify the town, individual effected neighbors, or seek any approval.
Here is what I read typos and all:
June 1 board meeting 2023
Bill 8 passed last month unanimously at the city council meeting
I know about bill 8 because I live leeward of a building that’s being built under that program that will disrupt my living and livelihood if it’s built.
This bill allows affordable housing projects to be built beyond the town ordinances - up to 60 feet or 6 stories, and don't have to obey setbacks or provide parking
This allows developers to take advantage of hefty tax breaks and special loan programs
This means that the council determined that a program that built 2 buildings in 8 years was was successful and should be repeated
Bill 8 allows developers to build without notifying towns and neighborhood boards of their plans
Bill 8 allows building without town approval
Bill 8 and the permit office’s decision supersedes the towns wishes - kailua and other towna
Bill 8 is a continuation of bill 7
Bill 8 passed unanimously
A Bill7/8 project is being built at 330 kuulei
330 kuulei will be a 6 story affordable housing building - or a Chick-fil-a from what I understand from the vice chair
The developer tells me that the building may be built beginning of 2024, or sooner if permits are granted sooner.
Affordable means that 100% of apartments have to be available for people making 140% AMI or below. It is my understanding that there is an application process to get these apartments.
It is my understanding that after a period of time, these apartments can be sold for full market value.
Why is bill 7 such a great success if only 2 projects were built in an 8 year period utilizing the benefits afforded by bill 7(according to the city report on bill 7)
Bill 7 was renewed as Bill 8 unanimously.
Why does it look like a series of loopholes?
Why did it pass unanimously?
Who decides that the building departments wishes supersede towns laws in regards to fight limits and setbacks - who decides that and what is it based on?
330 kuulei affordable housing project is being built on a commercial lot.
Does this mean that every commercial lot for the next ten yrs in kailua is eligible for a 6 story building as long as it’s affordable housing, at least for a short window in time - as long as it needs to be?
If this is the solution to affordable housing, how come only 2 buildings were build in 8 yrs?
If this bill does so much good for Hawaii, why all the secrecy?
Why not tell the neighborhoods that these great buildings are here to make more affordable homes for the people of hawaii?
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The town board has been nothing but gracious and attentive, and I thank each and every one of the board members.
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Let them know if you are for or against Bill 7 and the 330 Kuulei project being built beyond and above the town’s 40 foot height limit laws!
1). Dawn Takeuchi Apuna - Director
Jiro Sumada - Deputy Director
Department of Planning and Permits
“For complaints and investigations, call” (808) 768-8116
(These folks are the ones who can allow or stop this project!)
Here’s the link to their directory: https://www.honolulu.gov/dpp/organization-contacts.html
2). Contact Kailua town Board Members and let them know how you feel:
levani.knb@gmail.com, wellerge@manaikaika.com, ctomasa@gmail.com, code900@aol.com, billhicksknb@gmail.com, donnawong967@gmail.com, jade.lau.808@outlook.com, treckers001@hawaii.rr.com, kelliann.hawaii@gmail.com, josiahakau@mac.com, cmiyashiro.knb@gmail.com.
3). Contact Media and let them know how you feel.
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