Council to Discuss Affordable Accessory Dwelling Resolution

Aerial approach to Kahului Airport. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui Planning Committee’s recommendation to refer a bill on affordable accessory dwellings to the planning commission will be considered during the regular meeting of the Maui County Council on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015.

Committee Chair Don Couch made the announcement today saying he anticipates hearing from testifiers at the upcoming meeting, and welcomes all comments on the proposal.

“This kind of dwelling could be part of a solution to the lack of affordable housing in the county, and I will urge the council’s support for referring the matter to the county’s planning commissions,” said Couch in a press release statement.

The bill was introduced by Councilmember Robert Carroll of East Maui.  The measure seeks to amend the county’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to allow affordable accessory dwellings in the Residential District on lots of at least 5,000 but less than 7,500 square feet.

On Aug. 6, the committee discussed some areas of the bill needing clarification, including provisions relating to the enforcement of deed restrictions and the formula for calculating a dwelling’s floor area.