FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 18, 2020
Pine legislation: Requiring developer-neighborhood collaboration Preventing outrage and division over affordable housing
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I — “We desperately need affordable housing on O‘ahu and it has to be created the right way and in places that make sense,” said Honolulu City Councilmember Kym Pine. “As we have seen in Kailua and in Mā‘ili, community outrage and protests result when neighbors are not brought into the planning process. Neighborhood notification and input early in the 201H affordable housing process can easily result in a much better project with greater community benefits,” she said.
The rule change would require developers of 201H projects to involve the nearby community and seek meaningful input early in the process, before significant time and money is expended. This is especially important in situations where there may be opposition to financial incentives, development standard flexibility, or if flexibility in permitted use is being requested.
The measure is among eight pieces of legislation that received widespread, supportive public testimony and were unanimously approved by the full Honolulu City Council during its final regular meeting of 2020.
Adopted:
Res 20-178 will prevent widespread neighborhood protests and division over affordable housing projects as occurred in Kailua and Ma‘ili, by requiring developers of 201H housing projects to notify neighborhoods and seek input early in the process. The resolution directs the Department of Permitting and Planning to amend its rules to provide for these notifications. https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=9148
Councilmember Kym Pine represents residents of District One (ʻEwa, ʻEwa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko ʻOlina, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili, Wai‘anae, Mākaha, Kea‘au, Mākua) and is chair of the City Council’s Committee on Business Economic Development and Tourism.
Media Contact:
Erika Engle
Communications Director
erika [dot] engle honolulu [dot] gov
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