HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-2009 PH BILL 2335 PUBLIC HEARING
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
A public hearing of the Council of the County of Kauai was called to order by
Tim Bynum, Chair, Public Works/Elderly Affairs Committee, on Wednesday,
November 18, 2009, at 1:36 p.m. at the Council Chambers, Historic County
Building, 4396 Rice Street, Lihu`e, Kauai, and the presence of the following
was noted:
Honorable Tim Bynum
Honorable Dickie Chang
Honorable Jay Furfaro
Honorable Daryl W. Kaneshiro
Honorable Lani T. Kawahara
Honorable Derek S. K. Kawakami
Honorable Bill "Kaipo" Asing, Council Chair
The Clerk read the notice of the public hearing on the following:
BILL NO. 2335 - A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 13, ARTICLE 4, SEC. 13-4.1, OF THE KAUAI COUNTY
CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ELECTRICAL CODE
AND ADOPTING THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 2008 EDITION
AS A STANDARD FOR ALL ELECTRICAL WORK,
which was passed on first reading and ordered to print by the Council of the County
of Kauai on October 21, 2009, and published in The Garden Island newspaper on
October 28, 2009.
The following communication was received for the record:
• Contractors Association of Kauai, dated November 18, 2009.
There being no one present to testify on this matter, the public hearing
adjourned at 1:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER A. NAKAMURA
County Clerk
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KAUAI COUNTY COUNCIL
Testimony from the Contractors Association of Kauai on:
Bill No. 2335, Relating to Electrical Code
The Honorable Chair Bynum and Members of the Public Works Committee:
While the Contractors Association of Kauai (CAK) supports energy conservation
practices, we ask the Council to amend Section 402.1.1.4 Roof Insulation by either:
a) Deleting the entire section; or
b) Limiting Section 402.1.1.4 to homes that will. be air conditioned.
c) Short of deleting or limiting the section, an exemption should be provided for
affordable and gap housing projects and multi-family housing up to four-
stories, that fall under the County of Kauai's definition of affordable housing.
The Contractors Association of Kauai does not believe that mandating roof
insulation is in the best interest of Kauai's citizens. Insulation is used to protect against
extreme seasonal temperatures, both heat and cold. Kauai, as a tropical climate zone, is
not prone to these extreme temperatures and insulation does not become necessary to
protect the public health and safety. This mandate will only serve to increase labor and
material costs and result in added construction costs anywhere from. $2,400 to $4,800 or
higher, fora 1,500 square foot house.. Further, CAK does not advocate insulation as it
may encourage homeowners to install air conditioning. However, if a homeowner
chooses to install central air conditioning, CAK acknowledges that full insulation must
be required for homes to minimize energy use.
For the same reasons stated above, affordable and gap housing projects and multi-
family, up to four-story, housing projects that comes under the County's definition of
affordable housing should be exempt. Additional impediments should not be placed in
front of much needed affordable and gap housing.
Thank you.