Gentry Investment Properties plans to request the rezoning of about 20 acres on the makai side of Renton Road near Asing Park to accommodate single-family condominiums.
The site is zoned R-5, and single-family houses were initially planned for it. Debbie Luning, Gentry’s director of governmental affairs and community relations, said the change is needed because Gentry plans to install a drainage basin on an adjacent lot that is zoned A-1. The basin was temporarily located near Holomua Elementary School and a 2-acre park. Luning said Gentry Investment Properties now plans to develop a larger park near Holomua.
Because the basin will be built on land now zoned A-1, Luning said the rezoning of 20 acres to A-1 low-density apartment from R-5 residential would let Gentry develop about 270 condominium units in the area. She said Gentry has not submitted a rezoning application to the city yet but that Gentry officials hope to get approval by the end of the year and start site work in 2017.
The lot that is currently zoned A-1, and the 20 acres were originally planned to host 465 units but are now revised for 380 to 390 total.
“It will afford us the opportunity to build more affordable homes and will also enable the development of the land next to Holomua park into a community park as it was originally planned,” Luning told Ewa Neighborhood Board members Thursday. “Since we’re going to be putting the drainage there now, we’re asking that some of the R-5 single-family residential lands be rezoned to A-1 apartment. This will enable us to build those single-family condominiums that have been so popular with our buyers.”
Luning added that plans to build a permanent drainage basin on nearby Navy property were scrapped more than a decade ago. The vacant lot to the left of the 20 acres is zoned R-5 and will be kept for single-family houses, she said.
The Ewa Neighborhood Board voted Thursday to support the rezoning after hearing from Luning and one testifier who questioned the affordability of homes. Luning said the majority of homes in Gentry are affordable to those earning 140 percent of area median income.
Gina Coffey, a 13-year Gentry resident who lives near the site, said she is concerned about increased traffic in the area.
“My main concern is what you’re going to do about the extra cars,” Coffey said.
City Councilman Ron Menor, who represents the area, said he has not heard any community feedback yet and would like to take a closer look at Gentry’s proposal before taking a position. He added that he wants to ensure the units will be affordable.
“My concern is that before the project proceeds, the Council should take a look at potential … impacts on infrastructure,” Menor said. “I’m open to it. I recognize there’s a need for more housing on this island.”
CORRECTION: Gentry Investment Properties is seeking to rezone about 20 acres in Ewa to accommodate single-family condominiums. A Monday Page B-2 headline, story and photo caption said Ewa by Gentry is requesting the rezoning.
