323-unit condominium project proposed for Poipu Road area

A Koloa-based developer is seeking county permits to build a 323-unit condominium project along Po‘ipu Road west of the Sheraton Kauai Resort.

Members of the Kaua‘i County Planning Commission have scheduled a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11 at the Lihu‘e Civic Center to hear the proposal from representatives of Regency Development LLC, the developer.

The 25-acre lot located at the corner of Poipu and Kapili roads is owned by KVH Partners of Honolulu.

Some South Kaua‘i residents have raised concerns a project like this one and other large developments proposed for South Kaua‘i could exacerbate traffic congestion in the region now, creating more traffic risks.

Some residents have asked county officials not to approve any more hotel or condominium projects until comprehensive traffic plans are done and more roads are built.

To help alleviate traffic, leaders with KVH Partners have proposed putting the access point to the project off Kapili Road, according to county Planning Department documents.

Company leaders said positioning the hotel entry on that road should be done because it would not create a “traffic node” or intersection on Poipu Road, the main thoroughfare through Po‘ipu, a resort and residential community.

The entry should be put on Kapili Road as well because it would not affect the existing single-family residences along Ho‘onani Road, county documents noted.

If necessary, an emergency, secondary access could be positioned at Poipu Road, where it meets an existing easement, according to the documents. The emergency road would be positioned only at the location, the developers stressed.

The leaders of Regency Development, LLC, are seeking commission members’ approval for a project development use permit, a Class IV Zoning Permit and Special Management Area Use permit.

Serving as an agent for the developer is Kaua‘i architect Avery Youn.

Plans call for the construction of 268, three-bedroom units, 55 townhouse units, a manager’s unit, and 508 parking stalls.

The proposed project will consist of two different types of buildings, one of which will be villas, which will consist of nine separate buildings.

The residential- and open-district zoning for the 25 acres currently allows for the development of 492 condominium units.

The smaller number of units to be built will provide greater spacing among the structures that are built, the developer said. The added spacing will add to the aesthetic appeal of the project, and allow for better views.

The use of driveways in place of a standard county roadway also will help create a more rural-residential ambiance at the project site, leaders of the development company contend.

Of the 25 acres, about 2.4 acres is found within an open-zone strip that runs along Poipu Road. The developer plans to use this portion of the property to recreate and extend a berm that fronts the Kiahuna Plantation Resort further east along Poipu Road.

Within this strip, leaders for the development company plan to build a meandering sidewalk they believe will be more aesthetically pleasing than a standard county sidewalk.

Use of the open zone may be needed as well to protect some archeological sites and easements apart from the buildings to be constructed, the developer said in the county documents.

The 25-acre site is vacant and undeveloped, and has been used for cattle grazing for at least 40 years.

A minor Shoreline Management Area Use permit was granted by the county to cut back cactus and haole koa on the property, allowing access to the site and to help identify its characteristics.

Upon clearing, two lava tubes, remnants of a railroad berm that led to Koloa Landing, and a few rock walls were uncovered, according to county documents.

Staff Writer Lester Chang may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net.