Draft Supplemental EIS for Kaka‘ako Mauka Area Plan Available for Comments

In, The Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) Proposes Mauka Area Plan and Rules Revisions, I wrote about the HCDA's plan to revise the development plans and rules for the Kaka‘ako Mauka Area. 

Available for review and comment is the prerequisite draft supplemental EIS Volume I  and Volume II.  The EIS is required prior to amending the Mauka Area Plan and Rules.  The deadline for comments is August 22, 2008 according to the HCDA's online newsletter.  Any rule changes must be consistent with the final accepted EIS.

Among other things, the EIS proposes a view plain that covers most of the area, thereby restricting heights on affected properties to approximately half the height that is now allowed. The EIS also proposes a mandatory affordable housing requirement of 20 percent for all new residential projects on lots of 20,000 square feet or more. Under the current rules, affordable housing is triggered only when a property owner seeks additional density or land use approvals under a master plan application.