A Maui Planning Commission hearing officer has recommended denying the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort’s applications for a planned development and special management area permits, which are needed for the luxury resort to complete its plan to add about 137 more units.
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A site plan shows the proposed Wailea Resort SF-S Residential Project, which calls for 57 single-family residential units on 23.1 acres in Wailea. Unable to decide whether to accept the projectâs environmental assessment or require developers to do more a more extensive study, the Maui Planning Commission recessed its meeting on Tuesday and will take up decision making at its next meeting on May 11.
MUNEKIYO HIRAGA map
Community members are calling for a 57-unit luxury condominium project in Wailea to undergo a longer, more in-depth study, especially with neighboring developments already built or on the horizon.
“Wailea expansion has not been kind to our Hawaiian history,” testifier Daniel Kanahele said during a Maui Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday.
MIKE MOLINA â Supports the change
The Maui County Council’s Affordable Housing Committee on Monday voted to recommend approval of a bill that would tighten affordable housing requirements for projects seeking fast-track approval under a state law.
The proposal would require that 201H housing projects would need to have 75 percent affordable units unless a lower percentage, which is greater than 50 percent, is approved by council.
Hawaii’s 201H law, administered by the county, is an expedited path that allows exemptions from certain rules and fees for housing developments with a minimum of 50 percent affordable units.
Although some council members and testifiers cautioned that results from a county-funded affordable housing study should be considered before taking action, the committee Monday evening voted 5-3, with one excused, to move forward with the bill.