Updated at 12:34 p.m., Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Council delays action on transit development bill
Advertiser Staff
The City Council's Zoning Committee today deferred action on a scaled-back measure creating interim development controls near the city's proposed mass transit system.The committee's move means there likely will be no new restrictions against development surrounding transit stations in place before sometime next year.
Under the amended version approved, then deferred, by committee members yesterday, tentative controls on new development within one-quarter mile of any transit stop would be put in place for three months once the bill is passed.
However, committee members say they would like to see exemptions put into the final bill for private, single-family homes, several large government agencies already planning projects, or for basic improvements such as roads, sewers and drainage facilities.
Zoning Committee Chairman Charles Djou said the panel will likely take up the measure again in January, after council members and city administration officials have had time to review the proposed changes.
Proponents say interim development controls are important to prevent land speculation and other developer abuses as the city moves forward with what's expected to be a $4 billion transit line from Kapolei to Manoa.
The City Council is scheduled to vote Friday for a third and final time on a bill that designates the locally preferred alternative for transit's mode and route.
