Nathan Eagle - The Garden Island
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Community members are criticizing a proposed 220-unit condominium project that Koamalu Plantation LLC wants to develop on Grove Farm property in Lihu‘e.

The 11-acre site is situated some 500 feet northeast of the intersection of Kaumuali‘i Highway and Nawiliwili Road. Some 66 units will be offered for sale under the county’s affordable housing program.

Members of nearby Aloha Church and some kuleana landowners neighboring the project have said the 10 proposed four-story buildings will be an eyesore for them and commuters.

The county Planning Commission, which must decide the zoning and use permits, closed the public hearing portion of the process this week after three emotionally charged sessions.

“Aesthetically, is this what the island wants?” Lihu‘e resident Grace Galiza said in an interview Thursday.

A drove of some 30 concerned residents reportedly turned out to comment on the application when the commission took it up around 9 p.m., Tuesday at the Mo‘ikeha Building. The continued public hearing was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. “or shortly thereafter,” but the commission was bogged down by other agenda items.

The commission postponed action on the permits until its Jan. 13 meeting.

Residents have been chiefly concerned with the project’s design.

“Since this project is in central Lihu‘e there is no place for the children in this complex to play,” Hanalei resident Neil Clendeninn said in his two-page Nov. 23 written testimony, noting the plans for only two- and three-bedroom apartments.

Empty space on the plans is actually detention basins and hillside slopes so steep a retaining wall may be required, he said, adding that there is little allowance for pedestrians.

“While there are sidewalks, they traverse in front of tandem parking stalls,” Clendeninn said. “Where could a mother with a baby carriage walk safely? Where can children gather other than in the driveways with cars?”

He recommended eliminating two of the buildings to provide green space for future residents and moving the entrance in line with the Nawiliwili Road intersection.

The Sierra Club’s Kaua‘i Group said in its Dec. 8 written testimony that it was premature for the commission to act on the permits.

“We do not dispute that there is a need for multi-family housing,” the letter states. “… Housing needs should be met with design standards that are compatible with the island’s scenic beauty, environment and social and economic well-being as stated in the CZO.”

The environmental group took issue with the project’s impact to open view planes, mature trees and Nawiliwili Stream.

The Planning Department’s Dec. 3 supplemental report to the commission makes recommendations based on agency comments, public input and commission requests.

Specifically, it recommends the commission approve the permits with conditions requiring:

∫ The affordable housing units to be integrated within the entire project.

∫ An internal meandering walking path.

∫ Eight concessions to Aloha Church.

∫ Kuleana access to be preserved.

∫ All residential units sold to be for owner-occupied purposes, not transient accommodation or vacation purposes.

∫ The applicant to apply Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design registration.

∫ Status reports and a more detailed landscaping plan prior to building permit review.

The developer has agreed to dedicate and grade some 1.6 acres to widen Kaumuali‘i Highway to accommodate the state’s plan to expand it to four lanes, including acceleration and deceleration lanes.

A message left Thursday for Koamalu Plantation’s authorized agent, Lihu‘e architect Avery Youn, was unreturned at press time.

Aloha Church Pastor Vill Galiza said his concern was not being notified of the public hearing dates or process, county documents show.

In a Dec. 8 supplement to the planning director’s report, county planner Michael Laureta says staff contacted the applicant, who verified that the church was given a courtesy verbal notice by Todd Dorian, a limited partner.

Additionally, staff confirmed that the Aloha Church property is not a parcel of record within 300 feet of the property that would be sent notification by certified mail as required by state law, he said.

For more information, visit www.kauai.gov

• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com