Coco Palms Resort a step closer to reopening
The Kauai Planning Commission unanimously approved permits to redevelop the shuttered Coco Palms Resort.
In a 6-0 vote Tuesday, the commission voted to approve a special management area permit, zoning permit, project development use permit and a variance permit sought by Coco Palms Hui LLC.
Investors submitted their permit applications in mid-October to renovate or rebuild 350 hotel rooms, a decrease from its original 398 rooms.
Also proposed are retail shops, several restaurants, office space and hotel lobby area, museum, meeting rooms and a new spa and gym.
Investors are looking to reopen Coco Palms in 2017. Development costs are estimated at $135 million. Hyatt Hotel’s management will oversee the resort.
Coco Palms shut down due to damage caused by Hurricane Iniki in 1992.
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In a previous meeting, the commission deferred the matter involving the permits due to traffic concerns raised by some members.
The commission approved the permits Tuesday with 29 conditions that addresses issues such as traffic and historic preservation.