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Action Alert! Tell the Planning Commission to DENY the Proposed Community Plan Amendments & Zoning Changes on September 8

  • savepaia
  • Aug 30
  • 4 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

On September 8, the Maui Planning Commission will be reviewing the proposed Community Plan Amendments & Zoning Changes for the 40 acre EC Pāʻia Town Development that are currently zoned agriculture.


These amendments and zoning changes should be DENIED until the developer can conduct more community outreach and provide more in-depth analysis on project impacts, the Pāʻia-Haʻikū Community Plan is updated, and infrastructure for a Pāʻia Relief Route along Sunnyside Road is in place.


Important Links:


There are 4 ways to testify:



**Note - even if you plan on testifying in-person, via email/online, or via phone, it is still a good idea to also send in written testimony.


Talking Points:


There are a number of issues with the proposed community plan amendments and zoning changes, the main one being the lack of community input from Pāʻia residents. The proposed development is going to increase the number of residents in Pāʻia by a minimum of 20% (an estimated 500-800 additional residents), but our town will still remain without a true bypass.


Whether you donʻt want to see a Longʻs Drugs in the middle of Pāʻia, youʻre concerned about more traffic, or you are concerned with the lack of public input and in-depth project analysis, make your voice heard!


Key Project issues (includes, but is not limited to, the following):


  • Because the project is being fast-tracked by Councilmember Uʻu-Hodgins via a Council Initiated process, it has left out key community input and critical analysis typically required of a project this size.

  • This is the LAST 40 ACRES IN THE LOWER PĀʻIA SMALL TOWN GROWTH BOUNDARY THAT IS STILL ZONED AGRICULTURE. THE COMMUNITY DESERVES A SAY IN HOW THIS 40 ACRES IS DEVELOPED.

  • The Development is providing the bare minimum in terms of affordable housing, with only 34 apartments deemed affordable for low income households and only 16 houses fulfilling "gap housing" requirements (ranging from 120%-220% ami or $177,600-$320,600 annual income). 70% of the homes will be listed at market rate ($1.6 million).

  • The process to get Community Plan Amendments and Zoning Changes for the Pāʻia development has left out public input. Residents were not consulted during early project planning phases, with many still unaware of the project or its potential impacts to our community.

  • There are major public safety concerns adding 500+ residents to a dense area that is both fire and tsunami prone, without a true Pāʻia Relief Route via Sunnyside Road.

  • The Pāʻia-Haʻikū Community plan is over 30 years old and over a decade delayed in being updated. There is significant need for development in this region to be guided by an updated community plan that is driven by residents, not a private developer.

  • There is no Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement.

  • There is no Community Impact Assessment.

  • There is no retail demand study.

  • There are major concerns with the impact of a new traffic light on Hāna Hwy

  • Potential traffic bottlenecks on Hāna Highway and Baldwin Avenue, yet the developer has provided only a preliminary Traffic impact study

  • The Developerʻs application notes the potential for a Longʻs Drugs or Urban Target retail store, commercial retail that does not compliment Pāʻiaʻs unique historic character.

  • The Developerʻs application explicitly notes "the expectation of household loss on Maui through 2029, with minimal job growth," as well as "The lack of demand for a grocery store and/or a stand-alone preschool at the Subject Property in the next five years, even with the addition of new residential units."

  • Urban sprawl further up Baldwin Avenue and not concentrated in the town center, increasing traffic along Baldwin Avenue and increased impacts to Baldwin Avenue residents.

  • There are currently 9 acres of commercially zoned land in the center of Pāʻia Town - we donʻt need more commercial sprawl in Pāʻia.

  • The Pāʻia-Haʻikū Directed Growth plan also recommends that the Pāʻia Expansion growth area includes public facilities, services, parks, civic and open spaces. Besides a 200 stall parking lot, the current development proposal does not include these suggested opportunities for our community.

  • The proposed parking lot is at the furthest end of Pāʻia Town and, while parking is sorely needed, this lot will likely only alleviate current parking pressures and not future.

  • The Pāʻia-Haʻikū Community Plan discusses the need for a regional library in the Pāʻia-Haʻikū area, as well as improved parks facilities.

  • The Pāʻia-Haʻikū community plan region has the second smallest population and projected average annual rate of population increase of all the community plan regions on Maui. Where is the justification for this level of development?


You get the picture...


Tips for Testimony

  • Clearly state that you want the Planning Commission to DENY the proposed community plan amendments and zoning changes

  • Share your own story, and why you are concerned about the proposed development and lack of community input.


Sample Testimony


Dear Maui Planning Commission,


As a Pāʻia resident, I am asking you to please DENY the proposed community plan amendments and land use zoning changes of the EC Pāʻia Development Project. The project has not consulted with the community and has been purposefully fast-tracked, avoiding key community input and analysis typically required of a project this size.


I am particularly concerned about [Include your own talking points here!]


Sincerely,



[Your Name]





 
 
 

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