Committee advances amendment to affordable‑rental construction standards with small DPP edits

The committee on Aug. 19 recommended Bill 39 be reported out for passage on second reading and scheduled a public hearing after the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) requested a limited language change to clarify building‑code cross‑references. Why it matters: Bill 39 would modify Chapter 32 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (the affordable rental housing rules) to address fire resistance in construction materials and simplify certain requirements for affordable rental projects. The change aims to protect occupants while retaining cost‑effective construction options for affordable housing. Department comment and requested change: Brian Gallagher, deputy director of DPP, thanked sponsors for the amendment but asked a single clarification to replace the phrase “combustible piping” with language that references Chapter 20 (the fire code) to specify that “alternate fire‑rated piping materials may be used only in affordable housing rental projects, except as otherwise allowed pursuant to Chapter 20.” Gallagher said the narrower wording avoids unintentionally opening the code to an overly broad range of piping materials. Public and stakeholder input: Gina Thielen testified in support and referenced DPP’s suggestions in written testimony. Gallagher and committee members discussed forming a working group to consider broader program improvements to affordable rental housing beyond the fire‑rating item; DPP said it would coordinate internally and with stakeholders to propose any additional revisions. Outcome: The committee agreed to pass the current CD for now and to work with DPP on a final CD that incorporates the minor revision to make the change explicit about Chapter 20. The committee recorded the recommendation to report the bill out for passage on second reading and schedule a public hearing.