HONOLULU (AP) — The Honolulu City Council Zoning and Permitting Committee will vote on a bill that would allow more residential properties to add a second dwelling. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — The Honolulu City Council Zoning and Permitting Committee will
HONOLULU (AP) — The Honolulu City Council Zoning and Permitting Committee will vote on a bill that would allow more residential properties to add a second dwelling.
If the bill moves out of the committee it would be positioned for a final vote of the full Council in August.
The move comes as the state grapples with a housing premium. On Oahu alone, 24,000 new homes are expected to be needed.
Bill 20 allows second dwellings in residential zones only, on lots 3,500 to 20,000 square feet, limits the size of the units and requires one parking stall unless the lot is near a rail station. The proposed law is a major component of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s housing initiative.
Council Zoning Chairman Ikaika Anderson says some changes may need to be made to the bill before it can move forward.
“I definitely think it’s time to move on it,”?Anderson said. “ADUs are an important tool toward improving Honolulu’s housing situation and providing more affordable accommodations for our residents. Really, this is what this is all about.”
City Planner Harrison Rue is leading the initiative.
“It’s the closest thing we have to a silver bullet in the housing strategy,” Rue said.
The law would allow “virtually any residential lot owner” to add a second dwelling if they meet certain criteria.
