Resolution 20-223 Testimony - MISC. COM. 298 - Honolulu Legislative Documents
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Resolution 20-223 Testimony MISC. COM. 298 P.8a PH
Testimony of Pacific Resource Partnership City & County of Honolulu City Council Chamber Councilmember Tommy Waters, Chair Councilmember Esther Kia’ãina, Vice Chair Resolution 20-223—Ala Moana Neighborhood Transit-Oriented Development Plan Wednesday, May 5,2021 Aoha Chair Waters, Vice Chair Kia’aina, ard Members of the Council: Pacifc Resource Partnership (PRP) appreciates the Council’s efforts to advarce the Ala Moana Neighborhood Transit-Oriented Development Plan towares adoption. As this measure continues to move through the legislative process, we respectfully request the Council consider amending Resolution 20-223 to increase the height and density across all of the Ala Moana Center (AMC). The Ala Moana Neighborhood TOD Plan provides a long-term vision for the AMC rail transit station area— supporting the development of an equitable transitoriented commurity where housing, including affordaole/workforce housing, commercial/retail, and community services will be facilitated by a robust multimodal transportation network comprised of public and private modes. This is a unique and valuable opportunity for the city to maximize the development potential of AMC to create more affordable/workforce housing opportunities for Oahu’s residents, generate more real property tax revenue for the city, and provide more job opportunities for our local workforce. Alowng for increased height and density across all of AMC makes sense. AMC is located within a major urban center in the heart of Honolulu, envisioned as a livable high-density cornmuni:y, and existing condos in the area along Phkoi Street and Ala Moana Boulevard are approxima:ely 400’ or more, such as Hokua, Hawaiki Tower, and Nauru Tower. Giver the above, we respectfufly request your favorable cecisior on this measure. Thank you for this opportunity to testify. Pacific Resource Partnership (808) 380-8838 cdeIaunayprp-hawaU.com PRP THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP PHONE — 808528.5557 IIODALAKEASTREET!4TH FLOOR L’iITIFP.. 9 vMw.rAcEBc-oKccM! HONOLULU? HI S6S1J IRPRPHAWAII PACIFICRFSCJROFPARTNERSH[P
From: CLK Council Info Sent: Sunday, May 2, 2021 6:09 AM Subject: Zoning and Planning Testimony Written Testimony Name john razonable Phone 8083685733 Email raz’@a-l -acorn Meeting Date 04-22-2022 Council/PH Zoning and Planning Committee Agenda Item Ala Moana TOD plan Reo ZO-22 Your position on Support the matter Representing Self Organization i oppose the draft plan (CC 159) as currently proposed, which will limit future development opportunities and further stall our states economic recovery. Through the past year of shutdown, continued development and construction played a crucial role in keeping construction businesses operating and construction tax revenues stable. With upcoming Written reductions to Federal and State new construction funding, private development will be vital Testimony to our construction projects and hurt many local business and hardworking employees in our construction industry. Thank you for re-considering proposed development limitations and help keep our construction industry working mahalo. John Razonable Testimony Attachment Accept Terms 1 and Agreement IP: 192.168.200.67
hAWAiI OPERATING ENGINEERS INDUSTRY STAHl JIZAflON FuI’a) Th9ttd4FTCR Uniting nzer fl,engths and wor*fng treth,r fur a better flnceraw. May 3,2021 Honorable, Tommy Waters, Honolulu City Council, Chair & Presiding Officer Honorable, Esther Kiaaina, Honolulu City Council, Vice Chair Honorable, members of the Honolulu City Council RE: RESOLUTION 20-223 — ALA MOANA NEIGHBORHOOD TOD PLAN. Approving the Ala Moana Neighborhood Transit-Oriented Development Plan. ADOPT COMMITTEE REPORT AND REFER THE RESOLUTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE ON ZONING AND PLANNING Chair Tommy Waters: My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and lam the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF). We are a labor management fund representing 3000 unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy site and vertical construction. Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of intent RESOLUTION 20-223, Proposed CD1 ALA MOANA NEIGHBORHOOD TOD PLAN and would like to — offer comments. We appreciate all the input that has gone into drafting the Ala Moana Neighborhood Transit Oriented Development Plan. We also understand and thank the Honolulu City Council for the many years of hard work that has gone into developing the draft of this plan. We feel that the proposed CD1 draft of the plan does do enough to mitigate the housing crisis we are in and increased height and density requirements are needed. The increased height and density requirement will help provide community benefits like affordable housing, offset the cost of rail, enable thinner structures thereby preserving mauka-makai view planes, and could provide land, easements, and other vital infrastructure required for the Honolulu rail project and The Bus. Referring the plan back to the committee on Zoning and Planning is the correct decision. We believe that future communication and collaboration between the Honolulu City Council and all stakeholders will lead to a truly exceptional Ala Moana Neighborhood TOD Plan. We believe that the plan will be the centerpiece of urban Honolulu and showcase to the world, Honolulu’s unique style of urban planning and design that epitomizes a nexus of Hawaii’s culture and a modern urban lifestyle. HOEISF stands ready to assist in the collaborative process and we look forward to working with all participants to ensure that the Ala Moana Neighborhood Transit Oriented Plan meets the needs of all stakeholders. Sincerely, Pane Meatoga Ill Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund -
From: CLK Council Info Sent: Tuesday, May 4, 2021 2:51 PM Subject: Council Testimony Written Testimony Name Ryan Kobayashi Phone 8088415877242 Email rkobayashiIocaI368org Meeting Date 05-05-2021 Council/PH Committee Council Agenda Item 20-223 Your position on the matter Comment Representing Organization Organization Laborers Union; Local 368 Written Testimony Testimony Attachment Accept Terms and Agreement 1 IP: 192168.200.67 1
LiUNA! Testimony of the Hawaii Laborers’ Union Local 368 1617 Palama Street PETER A. GANABAN Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 Bus,ness .ilanoger Secretori -Treasurer Meeting: Council Hearing ALFONS() OIiER President Date: May 5, 2021 Time: 10:00 am. JOBY NORTh ii lice President RE: Resolution 20-223 Ala Moana Neighborhood TOD Plan. TONI FIGLEROA kecord,ng Secretaty Chair Waters, Vice-chair Kiaaina, and Committee members, JAMES DRLMGOLD JR. Executive Board The Hawaii Laborers’ Union Local 368 and its 5,000 working and retired men and women * across the state of Hawaii we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Council for OHL\NDO PAESTE advancing the conversation regarding the issue as captioned above and support the L Ezecuttve Board intent of the Council’s efforts and work regarding this issue. JOSEPH AW While we support the intent of the Council advancing the issue, we feel that the current Executive Board draft can be improved by increasing the height and density limitations that are currently being proposed. An increase in the height and density will result in an increase revenue for the City through new RPT and help offset the some of the cost of building rail and ESTHER AILA Auditor future operations. Also, projects in the ‘plan area” will provide community benefits like affordable housing RUSSELl. NAP1I!AA and also provide land, easements, and other vital infrastructure required for rail and bus, - . Auditor * and help to spur the economy during one of the worst recessions in history -MARKTRAVALIN0 Therefore, we ask that the City Council consider and adopt changes to increase the height and density limits to 400 feet as originally proposed, Thank you for the opportunity to offer this testimony. MARTIN ARANAVDO • Sergeant-At-A rins Respectfully, Ryan Kobayashi Government Affairs LiIJNA Local 368 1617 Palama Street Honolulu, HI 96817 Phone: (808) 841-5877 Fax: (808) 847-7829 www.local368.org Feel the Power
NAICBI Hawaii May 5,2021 To the Honorable Tommy Waters, Chair And Members of the Honolulu City Council Re: Comments on RESOLUTION 20-223 CDI -Proposed Amendments to the Draft Ala Moana Neighborhood Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan Dear Council Chair Waters & Council Members: My name is Sheldon Kaiakapu Glassco. I am a native Hawaiian property owner in the Ala Moana Transit-Oriented Development area and the Managing Director of the investment advisory team at NAI CBI Hawaii. I am an expert in commercial real estate, representing many Sellers, Buyers, and Landlords in the Ala Moana Transit Oriented Development neighborhood. I want to testify that I favor expanding the Convention Center Sub-district to include properties fronting Atkinson Drive to allow needed hotel development. One of my clients, a Kama’aina family, has owned their property located on Atkinson Drive for nearly seventy (70) years. Their property is the perfect site to be the catalyst of hotel development to support the goals and ideals of the Hawaii Convention Center Sub district. We envision a traditional mid-tier hotel chain development on the site, not a condo-hotel or luxury high-risc hotel. A new hotel there will attract business travelers that attend conventions which, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s 2019 Research Report are amongst the highest spenders (alongside Honeymooners). These visitors are high-spending quality visitors that put less strain on our natural resources than mass leisure tourism. They have excess disposable income and will give a needed boost to nearby struggling retailers and restaurants, rather than staying in the urban core at illegal vacation rentals or short-term rentals, which take affordable housing off the market for local families. A new hotel on the site will also bring needed tax revenue (TAT & GET), support our construction industry, create permanent jobs, and lessen traffic on Atkinson Drive compared to another residential condominium project. The property is located at 435 Atkinson Drive and consists of three parcels totaling approximately 23,627 square feet, and is roughly 100’ wide by 230’ deep. The current improvements are old functionally obsolete buildings that have become an “eyesore” in the neighborhood. This site is less than a two-minute walk from the Hawaii Convention Center. In addition, it is on the same side of the street, eliminating future convention attendees from hazardously crossing busy Kapiolani Boulevard, Kalakaua Avenue, and CBI, Inc. 1712 South King Sired. Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96826 T 808.942.7100 F 808.942.0009 www.cbi-hawaii.coni Independently Owned and Operaled
2 Atkinson Drive during heavily trafficked hours, reducing the chance of pedestrian-related accidents. I would like to highlight an issuc of concern to the City Council that can potentially affect smaller property owners that meet the minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet but are only 100’ feet wide from redeveloping their parcels. The issue I refer to is the change of 5.9 TALL BUILDING GUIDELINES, specifically 5.9.1. and 5.9,3. rcvise the “tall building” definition from 150’ to 100’ and implement a 50’ tower setback from the common boundary of the neighboring property. This lower building height combined with the tower setback may not make it feasible for smaller property owners that otherwise meet the minimum lot size requirement from developing under TOD, thus essentially wiping away the incentive to redevelop their property. The unintended consequence could result in pockets of underutilized buildings adjacent to brand new modem towers. Thank you for the opportunity to offer these comments. Kind Regards and Aloha, Sheldon Kaiakapu Glassco (B) Managing Director, Investments Advisory NM CBI Hawaii www.creinvestmentsadvisor.com CBI, Inc. 1712 South King Street. Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96826 T 808.942.7100 F 808.942.0009 www.cbi-hawaii.coni Independently Owned and Operated
Brookfield Properties Honolulu City CouncW 530 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 May 4, 2021 Resolution 20-223, CD1 —Ala Moana Neighborhood POD Plan Aloha Zoning and Planning Chair Elefante and esteemed Committee Councilmembers, Srookfield Properties (“Brookfield”) has been a proud participant in the economic and cultural life of Hawaii for over 30 years on various islands. We own and manage the retail, medical, and office components of the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Ala Moana Center is an iconic part of the community, embracing Hawaii’s local culture, offering a friendly experience for both its loyal local customers, and visiting tourists alike. Ala Moana Center is a major employment center, an anchor amenity to Honolulu’s urban core, and serves as a longstanding driver of the local economy and tax reven Lie. Brookfield is greatly appreciative and supportive of the intent to reintroduce Resolution 20-223, CD] related to the Ala Moana Neighborhood TOD Plan, given the 9 years of community study to ensure proper planning and smart growth initiatives in the Ala Moana urban core to benefit Hawaii’s residents and to keep country, country. Ala Moana Center has been committed to staying ‘local’ in its roots, never fearful to evolve, and always embracing reinvestment to better Honolulu, believing firmly that any reinvestment into the Center was rooted in reinvestment into the community. To this end, we appreciate the opportunity to share our comments to the recently reintroduced Resolution 20-223, CD1 related to the Ala Moana Neighborhood TOD Plan. Future of the Ala Moana Neighborhood is Tied to the Long-term Viability of Ala Moana Center The City of Honolulu’s Ala Moana Neighborhood draft TOD plan has a vision specific and unique to the Ala Moana neighborhood. This IOD vision is to promote higher density mixed-use communities near consolidated transit options where people can improve their quality of life by Brookfield Properties Honolulu 1003 Bishop street, Suite 2288, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 T -*1 808 380 1890 brookfieldproperties.com
living, working and playing in the neighborhoods that foster housing options for mixed-incomes, employment opportunities, community services, recreational activities, public spaces to gather and options for mobility. Ala Moana Center plays a significant role in this neighborhood, and with incentivized height and density, Brookfield hopes to work with the City and community to help deliver all of the components of the City’s IOD vision to this neighborhood. Incentivized Height & Density Supports the Delivery of Affordable Housing TOD planning principles encourage maximum height and density opportunities within ¼ and ½ mile of the rail stations, such as at Ala Moana Center. Prior projects at Ala Moana Center built under ‘by-right zoning’ without incentivized height and density were only feasible as luxury housing, without any affordable housing component. However, if given the opportunity to propose new TOD projects with an incentivized height and density, Brookfield will be able to deliver affordable housing to the neighborhood. Examples of Brookfield development projects that received increased height and density to enable affordable housing include Pacifica, Symphony Honolulu, Lilia Waikiki and Ala Moana Plaza. Resolution 20-223, CD] proposes no increase to the existing 2.5 FAR density across the majority of Ala Moana Center, and only a 50-foot increase (to a 150 ft. maximum) of buildable height. Unfortunately, this designated area does not provide much opportunity for new projects, thus limiting community benefits. On a broader perspective, in addition to community benefits generated through the opportunity to grant bonus height and density, new TOD projects create significant annual City and County real property tax revenue, the primary source of funds that support City and County services. The real property tax generated by TOD projects also serve as possible funding to offset transit operations; benefiting all island residents. Current TOD Project Approval Process Provides the City Flexibility to Support or Oppose The approval of the Ala Moana Neighborhood TOD Plan does not automatically grant landowners any approval for future projects at designated heights or densities. Instead, the City has a very sound process that addresses future redevelopment uncertainty; which is that the community and DPP evaluate any proposed future development projects with a requirement to obtain approval by the City Council on a project-by-project basis. Given this case-by-case City approval process framework, Brookfield is supportive of a flexible TOD plan that proposes buildable heights of up to 400-foot height limits and increased density at Ala Moana Center, as it allows for a spectrum of possibilities for the City and community to decide.
The TOO Plan is a Planning Document for the Future With the need for housing, smart urban growth, climate change management and island economic sustainability at the forefront of public concern, Ala Moana Center can serve as a model for what is possible with a new approach to redevelopment. A flexible and forward- thinking plan will make vvay for a wide diversity of uses and housing, iconic urban public spaces, mobility options, social infrastructure, sustainable buildings, gateway connections, and innovation solutions. Investment and improvements to the neighborhood should build community and address urban and resiliency challenges from climate change and energy use, to affordable — housing and inclusivity. Brookfield is deeply committed to being a contributing partner with the City and the surrounding community at Ala Moana. As an indication of our commitment, we recently agreed to provide rightof -way easements across our privately owned roads for much-needed bus and transit operations as part of the approval process for the Plaza rental project, a significant community benefit that exceeded the commensurate level of bonuses sought for the project. It remains our hope that the Zoning and Planning Committee and City Council will consider further discussion and possible amendment to the Resolution 20-223 CD1 draft TOD plan to simply keep the possibility open for bonus height and density at Ala Moana Center consistent with the rest of the surrounding neighborhood. To that end, we greatly look forward to further collaboration on reaching durable zoning and planning solutions to continue to enhance the Ala Moana c 0 ni mu nit y Thank you for your consideration With aloha, Kris Hui Vice President Brookfield Properties
HAWAII BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION May 5, 2021 Honolulu City Council 530 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Re: Resolution 20-223. Ala Moana Neighborhood TOD Plan Aloha Chair Waters. Vice Chair Kia’aina, and Honolulu City Council Members, The Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council (HBCTC) is comprised of 16 construction trade unions here in the State of Hawaii. HBCTC’s mission is to promote the interests of the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council, its members and affiliates, with the underlying goal ot creating job opportunities and a healthy and vibrant construction industry throughout Hawaii. We are committed to providing Hawaii’s working men and women with hope for a better tomorrow through support of smart growth techniques while maintaining our valuable natural resources. The Building Trades greatly appreciates the steps being taken by Council to finally advance the Ala Moana TOD plan after years of delays. We believe that the underlying purpose of transit-oriented development is to promote development to create denser live-work-play communities around rail stations, help pay for rail, and encourage ridership. It is our hQpe that the Council will amend the draft plan to increase height and density at Ala Moana Center to reflect the heights and densities already present along Ala Moana Blvd and PHkoi. A draft proposal introduced last year from the Department of Planning and Permitting for the TOO map would do just that. We urge the Council to review and consider that draft plan as it moves forward with the important task of adopting updates to Resolution 20-223. Mahalo Nui Loa / Gino Soquena Executive Director Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council 8083931807 ginohbctcor 735 Bishop Street, Suite 412, Honolulu, HI 96813
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