Chinatown expansion rejected
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
The city Planning Commission yesterday rejected a proposal to expand the Chinatown Special District and lower building height limits, but supported a provision that would make it easier to create lofts in the historic core of the current district.
"We're delighted the lofts part of the bill was supported," said city planning and permitting director Eric Crispin, whose department submitted the proposal. "But we are sad the members of the commission didn't take the opportunity to help shape our urban environment in a way that would be beneficial for generations to come."
The commission's vote mirrors a split recommendation made last week by the Downtown Neighborhood Board. The recommendations of both groups are advisory only but will be considered by the City Council when it takes up the proposal next month.
The bill seeks to expand the special district by 20 acres into Iwilei, adding 'A'ala Park, the historic O'ahu Railway & Land Terminal train station and the Tong Fat Co. building on North King Street. The plan also would reduce the building height limit from 150 feet in one area and 200 feet in another down to 80 feet.
Two developers with projects under way say that provision will kill their ventures.
Vito Galati, a partner in Downtown Affordables, which plans an affordable residential condominium in the area, said he is pleased with the vote, which "shows support for promoting affordable housing."
Downtown Affordables plans a 23-story building with 251 one- and two-bedroom units on North King Street where the 'A'ala parking lot sits.
The second project is a $35 million, 13-story elderly affordable housing residence near the historic OR&L building financed through the state Housing and Community Development Corp.
Marvin Awaya, executive director of Pacific Housing Assistance Corp., said his company has been selected to develop the HCDC project, which has been in development for more than two years.
Awaya said the expanded district would "cause irreparable harm to the development of the senior residence at Iwilei."
Eleven people testified before the commission. All opposed the expansion, but several supported the loft proposal.
Young Street resident Sabrina Ongos is looking for a condominium and testified in support of affordable housing.
Real estate agent Diane Leslie testified that people approach her daily looking for a place offering what those developments would in terms of price and location.
Lynne Matusow, chairwoman of the Downtown Neighborhood Board, said the loft proposal is needed to support the growing movement toward a culture and arts district in the area, but said the expansion and building height restriction could be viewed as taking development rights away from property owners.
Matusow said the city has had its eyes on a property within the expanded district as a site for a Bus Rapid Transit center and the height limitations may give them a bargaining chip to help in securing a location.
"The question persists as to whether the proposed expansion is related to the Bus Rapid Transit plan," she said.
Crispin has said there are no plans for a BRT center in the district, but the city's Environmental Impact Statement for the BRT shows a transit station next to the OR&L building.
Crispin said he will continue to promote passage of the expanded district before the City Council.
Galati said his group will continue planning its project with the hopes the council will kill the expansion proposal.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
