A bill providing building permit fee waivers, property tax breaks and other incentives to developers and home builders who create affordable housing was given unanimous approval by the Honolulu City Council Wednesday.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, during a rare appearance at the Council, said he likely will sign
Bill 59 (2017) Opens in a new tab, but also pleaded with members
to pass Bill 58 (2017) Opens in a new tab, which requires those developers and builders to create affordable units that are more accessible to those making 80 percent
of area median income or less.
Caldwell said he had the two bills introduced in tandem, so that the tougher requirements would be
offset by the incentives bill. Zoning Chairwoman Kymberly Pine promised Caldwell that Bill 58 would be passed.
Also on Wednesday, the Council voted to give:
>> Final OK to Bill 93 (2017) Opens in a new tab, establishing a rate of $165 per van for up to five tour companies to receive permits allowing them to make “recreational stops” at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, also known as Sherwood Forest or Sherwood’s.
>> Final OK to Bill 99 (2017) Opens in a new tab, banning people from lying down within a “bus stop area.” Bill 83 (2017) Opens in a new tab, barring sitting and lying or sitting down on sidewalks fronting schools and libraries, was recommitted due to legal questions.
>> Second reading OK
to Bill 69 (2017) Opens in a new tab, requiring owners of about 150 high-rise towers to retrofit with fire sprinklers at least in hallways and other common areas. The bill now goes back to the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Committee. Bills 101 (2017) Opens in a new tab, 102 (2017) Opens in a new tab and
103 (2017) Opens in a new tab, offering building fee waivers, property tax credits and other
incentives to those
installing sprinklers, also passed second reading.
>> Final OK to 10 resolutions authorizing the
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to initiate eminent domain action against the owners of properties along the
Honolulu section of the rail line. HART is still in negotiations with all the property owners. Attorneys for several testified in opposition.
