Hawaii County, Hawaii

Multi-Facility Impact Fee Study
   

The County of Hawai‘i Planning Department contracted with Duncan Associates, in association with Oahu-based planners Helber Hastert and Fee and Hilo-based public relations firm of Alice Moon and Co., to conduct an Infrastructure and Public Facilities Needs Assessment (IPFNA) study and draft ordinance. The project was divided into two phases: policy analysis and implementation. The first phase culminated in the preparation of an Ordinance Issues Memorandum (October 2005) and a Policy Analysis Memorandum (January 2006). The first phase also included an extensive public participation process,

including November 2005 focus groups in Hilo and Kona, a January 2006 video conference with participants in Kona, Hilo and Honolulu, and March 2006 workshops in Hilo and Kona. The second, implementation phase of the project consisted of a multi-facility impact fee study and ordinance. A major concern of stakeholders was the treatment of existing vacant lots, which are the primary source of affordable housing on the Big Island. An analysis of tax records indicated that only about 15% of the lots were owned solely by Big Island residents, and it was recommended that affordable housing should be dealt with separately rather than grandfathering existing lots. No action has been taken on the study by the County Council to-date.