HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/28/2023 Public hearing minutes on BILL 2899 PUBLIC HEARING
JUNE 28, 2023
A public hearing of the Council of the County of Kaua`i was called to order by
Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., Chair, Planning Committee, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023,
at 8:32 a.m., at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street, Suite 201, Historic County
Building, Lihu`e, and the presence of the following was noted:
Honorable Addison Bulosan
Honorable Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr.
Honorable Felicia Cowden
Honorable Bill DeCosta
Honorable Ross Kagawa
Honorable KipuKai Kuali`i
Honorable Mel Rapozo
The Clerk read the notice of the public hearing on the following:
"Bill No. 2899 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 8, KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
ZONING DESIGNATION IN PUHI, KAUAI (University of Hawaii Community
Colleges, Kauai Community College,Applicant) (ZA-2023-3),"
which was passed on first reading and ordered to print by the Council of the County
of Kaua`i on May 31, 2023, and published in The Garden Island newspaper on
June 7, 2023.
The following communications were received for the record:
1. Francisco, Randall, dated June 26, 2023
2. Petterson, Robyn, dated June 27, 2023
3. Yoshida, Laurie, dated June 26, 2023
Committee Chair Carvalho: Do we have any registered speakers this
morning? One (1)? Could you come up?
MARGARET SANCHEZ: Aloha Councilmembers. Thank you for
listening. My name is Margaret Sanchez, I am Interim Chancellor at Kaua`i
Community College and I am here in support of Bill No. 2899. As Interim Chancellor,
I urge you to support this Bill, because if this is passed, we will have much more
flexibility in the development of the land. I have spoken with the other tenants on
the property as well, that includes Island School, a private school, Kawaikini Charter
School, and Punana Leo Preschool, all in favor of this land designation change. One
(1) thing that we are planning to develop is possible housing within the next five (5)
years and this change in designation would allow for more ease in that development.
PUBLIC HEARING 2 JUNE 28, 2023
BILL NO. 2899
In general, I support this without hesitation and I urge you to support it as well. I
appreciate your time and wonder if you have any questions. If not, I will take a seat.
Committee Chair Carvalho: Thank you, Margaret.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you.
Councilmember DeCosta: I have a question.
Ms. Sanchez: Yes.
Councilmember DeCosta: I am an educator, too, and as far as education
goes, it is always a struggle to get teacher housing. I noticed that you folks mentioned
student housing, but were you going to look into the possibility of having faculty
housing as well?
Ms. Sanchez: Yes. Right now, in our long-term plan, we
have designated student housing. Personally, I am in support of first, providing
student housing, and secondarily providing instructor and teacher housing.
Councilmember DeCosta: May I share some constructive information?
Council Chair Rapozo: Hold that for the Committee Meeting.
Councilmember DeCosta: Okay. Thank you for that.
Ms. Sanchez: Thank you so much.
Committee Chair Carvalho: Thank you so much, Margaret. Mahalo. Are
there any other speakers? If not, this public hearing is now adjourned.
There being no further testimony on this matter, the public hearing adjourned
at 8:36 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
JAD OUNTAIN-TANIGAWA
County Clerk
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