Hearing likely for Haleiwa development

A landowner’s plan to develop 29 lots in the heart of Haleiwa town won its first approval from the City Council last week, and a community hearing is likely next for the contentious project.

Councilman Ernie Martin, who represents the North Shore, said he is asking Councilwoman Kymberly Pine, chairwoman of the Zoning and Planning Committee, to hold a special night meeting to hear from residents and other interested parties.

Pine, reached Friday in Washington, said a community meeting is “a great idea.”

Scott Wallace’s $2 million Haleiwa Plantation Village sits on seven acres of former farm land just off the makai side of Kamehameha Highway, at the end of Kilioe Place and just north of Achiu Lane. It is bordered by farm parcels, homes and a marsh.

The property is within the city’s Urban Growth Boundary belt, but needs rezoning for the entire property (Bill 56), and a land use boundary amendment (Bill 55), for 3.3 acres, from the Council. While there are 29 properties, Wallace maintains up to 35 houses could be developed.

The proposal has drawn opposition from people who want the property to stay in agricultural designation.

The project also has the unusual distinction of receiving an unfavorable recommendation from the Honolulu Planning Commission despite winning a favorable nod from the Department of Planning and Permitting.

Commission members voted 5-1 on March 15 not to support DPP’s approval.

None of the commissioners explained how they arrived at their votes but Chairman Dean Hazama said during the meeting he was conflicted because while he supports preserving farmland, he also understood the property is within the Urban Growth Boundary. Hazama noted it was “highly unusual” for land designated by the state for agricultural use to be within the city Urban Growth Boundary.

There was contentious testimony on the project during the two Planning Commission meetings, and a community meeting would likely draw a large crowd. About half a dozen area residents submitted written testimony in opposition to the project at the Council’s June 7 meeting, most of them urging Council members to keep the land in agricultural use and citing potential traffic and flooding concerns.

Among them was Diane Puanani Fitzsimmons, who organized a “Save Haleiwa Ag Lands” petition on change.org. As of Friday afternoon, the online petition had collected 416 signatures.

George Massengale, community engagement director for Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit self-help organization, offered written support for the project. He pointed out that the developer would need to abide by a 30 percent affordable housing requirement.

Wallace, who appeared before Council members, said “this is an infill lot where you can walk right out of your house and go to Cholo’s or the North Shore Marketplace.” Market-priced lots would start at $175,000, he said.

Martin said he has yet to form a position on the proposal. Both sides have good arguments and it would be fair that Pine’s committee give the North Shore community a chance to voice its opinions, he said. He said he also wants to hear more details from DPP and the Planning Commission.

In November, a motion to support the project by the North Shore Neighborhood Board was voted down, 10-2, with two abstentions.