LIHU‘E — Tomorrow, the Kaua‘i County Council will continue its discussion amending the county’s Housing Policy that tackles creating affordable housing requirements.
The original policy requires developers building 10 or more units to offer a percentage of “workforce housing units,” for people who earn lower than market rate and above what would qualify for federal assistance.
Councilmembers have been divided on how far to cut into the policy through exemptions, trying to strike a balance between adding incentives for developers and create feasible workforce housing possibilities. The current housing policy has netted zero affordable housing results in over a decade.
On its second draft, Bill No. 2774 has already tacked down an amendment that would require all units to be at or under 120% of the area median income (AMI), down from 140%, which councilmember Luke Evslin proposed last meeting on July 8.
The bill was first introduced in January by Housing and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Chair KipuKai Kuali‘i and Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro, in conjunction with Housing Director Adam Roversi.
The bill sets up to amend the Housing Policy by including exemptions on multi-family projects developed in the town cores of Lihu‘e, Koloa and Kalaheo special-planning areas as well as outside of the parcels zoned R-10 and up, mostly in Lihu‘e and Puhi.
The council will also hear an update on a piece of property the county bought last year.
In August 2019, the county bought 417 acres of land in Waimea from the Kikiaola Land Company for $5.3 million.
Residents have complained about the drift of construction dust, particularly the smell of melted asphalt. Councilmember Felicia Cowden requested the update on behalf of constituents who were concerned.
So far, Cowden has heard the county has been clearing out ditches for runoff to avoid flooding.
The original plans for the property were awaiting the feedback and proposals of the West Kaua‘i Community Plan. This plan was approved by the county’s Planning Commission in May and will begin having public hearings as well as a presentation to the council later this summer.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
