A Haleiwa landowner is seeking to rezone 7 acres of agricultural property for development of 29 homes on the edge of an existing residential neighborhood and large farms.
Scott C. Wallace recently filed a zoning change application with the city Department of Planning and Permitting for the proposed project called Haleiwa Plantation Village.
The project, which borders Achiu Lane near the middle of Haleiwa Town, has been in the works for at least four years.
Pacific Catalyst LLC, a consultant for Wallace that prepared the application, said in the filing that the subdivision is intended to provide housing for the local workforce and blend into the rural character of the existing community.
“The physical configuration of the project, balanced with the expansive open spaces around it, will maintain the rural context in which the future homes will be built,” the application said.
The development cost of Haleiwa Plantation Village is estimated at $2 million, which includes creating house lots of at least 5,000 square feet each and other infrastructure such as roads, a wastewater treatment system and a stormwater retention basin.
Wallace intends to sell the lots and let buyers build their own homes. Lot prices were not projected.
Access to the property would be through an extension of Kilioe Place.
Pacific Catalyst noted in the application that the plan as infill housing is consistent with the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan and received a “largely positive” response at a May 2012 North Shore Neighborhood Board meeting when the project called for 25 homes.
Some area residents, however, have expressed concerns about traffic, flooding and wastewater management. At a November neighborhood board meeting updating the project, a motion to support the project failed with a vote of 2-10 along with two abstentions.
Wallace is seeking to rezone two parcels from AG-2 general agriculture to R-5 residential, which will be subject to a City Council vote.
Pacific Catalyst said in the application that using the land for commercial farming hasn’t been viable because of problems that include an expensive water supply, soil that is sticky when wet and too hard when dry, relatively small acreage, proximity to adjacent homes and flooding during heavy rainstorms.
Lovan Farm has used the property for about 25 years and abandoned an attempt to grow wetland taro on the site because of a persistent and unmanageable apple snail infestation, the application said.
Lovan currently uses the property to store equipment in connection with a 100-acre farm it operates in Waialua. There is also a dwelling on the property.
The Planning Department is accepting public comments through Nov. 4. Email Mike Watkins at mwatkins@honolulu.gov or call 768-8044 with reference to project file number 2016/Z-7.
A copy of the zoning change application can be found at 808ne.ws/zoning change Opens in a new tab.
