For immediate release: August 31, 2015
Press release by:
Councilmember Gladys Baisa, Chair
Water Resources Committee
Exemptions proposed to help those on Upcountry water meter list
WAILUKU, Hawaii – Applicants on the Upcountry water meter list seeking to subdivide their properties into two lots would be exempt from costly infrastructure requirements prior to getting a meter installed under a bill introduced by Water Resources Committee Chair Gladys Baisa, she announced today.
The committee will consider Baisa’s bill on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Council Chamber.
“No street improvements or fire protection improvements would be necessary for Upcountry water meter applicants if their property is subdivided into two developable lots,” Baisa said.
She said the bill is intended to help applicants wanting to build an ohana unit or a second dwelling for a family member. Baisa noted that while the exemption from fire protection improvements would apply only to applicants on the Upcountry water meter list, the exemption from street improvements would apply both to those on the list and other qualified water meter applicants throughout the county.
To qualify for the exemptions, a structure must be 1,000 square feet or smaller.
At previous meetings on her earlier proposal to provide a waiver of fire protection improvements, the committee learned applicants are faced with other obstacles to getting a water meter, Baisa said. She said that’s why she expanded the scope of proposed exemptions.
“We are trying to address all components related to finally getting Upcountry residents their water meters,” Baisa said. “I want to make sure this proposal is efficient, effective and eliminates hurdles.”
Baisa said she has been coordinating with the administration to improve the bill and hopes to pass it on to the full council. The Upcountry water meter list was created 16 years ago and includes more than 1,800 applicants.
A copy of the bill is posted at MauiCounty.us/wr. Testimony may be emailed to wr.committee@mauicounty.us, referencing WR-28.
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