Kauai County Planning Commission Meeting - April 8, 2025
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Kauai County Planning Commission Meeting - April 8, 2025
The Kauai County Planning Commission met on April 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM to consider a series of subdivision applications, a public hearing on zoning amendments, a presentation on the General Plan Progress Report, and amendments to the Aokini Makai subdivision design plan. The meeting also included an executive session to discuss the evaluation of the planning director.
Consent Calendar
- Subdivision Committee Report: Approved unanimously. The committee had reviewed 11 items (2 consolidations and subdivisions, 3 subdivisions, 1 consolidation, 1 voluntary adjustment, 3 extension requests, 1 termination), all of which passed.
- Subdivision Application S125-3.6 (705): Approved for a four-lot subdivision on Cobajo Road. Motion to approve tentative approval passed unanimously.
- Subdivision Application S-2021 (unclear number): Approved for a two-lot subdivision on Vino Road. Motion passed unanimously.
- Subdivision Application S25-4 (Poipu Road Association): Approved for a two-lot subdivision to dedicate a portion of private roadway to the county. Motion passed unanimously.
- Subdivision Application SS 2025 (Honorable Agricultural Subdivision): Approved for a two-lot subdivision, exempt from lot width requirements due to DHHL exemption. Motion passed unanimously.
- Subdivision Application S225-6 (consolidation): Approved to resolve boundary encroachment of a building by consolidating two lots. Motion passed unanimously.
- Subdivision Application S2025-7 (voluntary adjustment): Approved for redefining boundaries between two lots in the general industrial district. Motion passed unanimously.
- Subdivision Application S-2021-5 (lot 19, Kukuila parcel): Extension of time granted until April 11, 2026. Motion passed unanimously.
- Subdivision Application S-2022-8 (parcel X, Kukuila): Third extension granted until March 22, 2026. Discussion noted the overriding ordinance caps density at 1,500 units. Motion passed unanimously.
- Subdivision Application S2024-? (Cigaton area, two-lot subdivision): First extension granted until March 12, 2026. Motion passed unanimously.
- Termination of Subdivision Application S-2022-7: Requested by applicant; termination approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dave Duncan (resident of Kalihiwai) testified on the new public hearing item (County Zoning Permits for a base yard expansion). He expressed general support for the project but noted a flooding concern on a patch of agricultural land adjacent to Laley Road and suggested it could be used for a community garden. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining quality of life for long-term residents.
- Written testimony from Carl Colorado and Bob of Line regarding an SMA minor comment (informational item) was received and referred to legal review.
Discussion Items
General Plan Progress Report 2020-2025
Marie (Long Range Planning Division) presented a 60-page report summarizing the county's progress on the General Plan. Key highlights:
- Planning framework: The General Plan sets a high-level vision with four goals and hundreds of actions organized by sector.
- Completed actions: 26 code changes focused on infill housing (e.g., ADUs).
- Ongoing plans: Climate Adaptation and Action Plan (public draft undergoing open houses), Safety Action Plan, and Bihue Malca bypass plan.
- Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects:
- Housing: Lima Ola phases 2-4 (550 homes), Waimea 400, Kilauea Town Expansion.
- Parks: New skate parks at Nabuli Willie Park and Pepe Park, stadium resurfacing, potential shooting range, pump track, equestrian arena.
- Transportation: Sidewalks, intersection improvements on Hodeko Road, Kahan Road, Kukui Street; shared use path connecting Waimea and Cape Capa; transit base yard expansion for EV buses.
- Next steps: Proposed biennial General Plan updates alternating with town and community plan updates.
- Commission discussion:
- Commissioner questioned coordination with state on road infrastructure for new housing. Director noted state is conducting the Kauai Long Range Transportation Plan and that specific development requirements (e.g., roundabouts) are exacted through subdivision review.
- Commissioner expressed concern about aging population (projected 40% over 65 by 2040) and its implications for transportation, recreation, and housing. Staff acknowledged the need to plan for assisted care, safer roadways, and inclusive parks.
- Commissioner highlighted the housing deficit (~3,500 units) and the challenge of construction costs ($700/sq ft). Discussion included cost barriers, gap housing (above 120% AMI), and alternative building techniques (pre-fab, bamboo). Director noted building division is exploring pre-fab inspections but faces code compliance issues.
- Commissioner emphasized the need for integrated infrastructure planning across the island. The report was received.
Aokini Makai Subdivision – Amendment to Condition 6 of Ordinance PM 326-96
Staff presented a request by the applicant (Visionary LLC) to amend the urban design plan for the Aokini Makai industrial subdivision (40 lots) to align with current CZO (Kauai County Zoning Ordinance) standards. The original 1996 design plan required larger setbacks (e.g., 32 ft vs. CZO’s 15 ft) and landscaping. The amendment would allow lesser setbacks and remove landscaping requirements, but the applicant noted that CCRs would still require landscaping plans. The building height would remain at 50 ft (consistent with CZO). Commissioner expressed concern about height near the airport, but staff noted that the FAA and DOT Airports Division had reviewed the project and required a navigation easement. Commission approved the amendment unanimously.
Deferral of Zoning Amendments ZA 2025-8 and Related Items (A1-A8)
The Planning Director requested a two-month deferral to June 10, 2025, to allow the department to develop wildfire-resistant policies for lands in the wildland-urban interface, following the Attorney General’s report on the Lahaina wildfire. The zoning amendments, which involve upzonings of lands in wildfire-prone areas, will be reconsidered with new wildfire mitigation measures. The commission granted the deferral unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- 26 subdivision approvals and extensions: All consent calendar items (including committee report) passed unanimously.
- General Plan Progress Report: Received and accepted by the commission with no formal vote required.
- Aokini Makai design plan amendment: Approved (apparently unanimous) to allow CZO standards for industrial lots.
- Deferral of zoning amendments ZA 2025-8 and items A1-A8: Deferred to June 10, 2025 meeting.
- Executive session: Held to discuss evaluation of the planning director; no decisions were announced.
Meeting Transcript
The planning department is recommending preliminary subdivision number. Any questions for our staff? If not, we have a representative for the applicant. Good morning, Commissioners for the record, Lindsay Crawford, representing Coglow LLC. So anything that you would like to add other than what we have in front of us here. No, I think he's done a good job in discovering the finding. Okay, so the motion on uh four consideration is the subdivision application number yes. I move tentative approval. I move to approve subdivision map, subdivision application number S. Yes. Okay, any other comments, concerns? If not, it's the question for local piece. Oh chair, the director of my commissioner straight for his present. Roll call, Commissioner Nowis. Aye. Moving on to the number of pool for subversion application number S125-3.6 as 705. Are there any members of the public that would like to test that on this agenda item? So far as your part of the record. Lindsay, do you have something? Nothing to add. Oh, it worked. We're on the next subdivision. I'm sorry, I can't forget you. We're on the next subdivision, okay. I'll summarize the report for the record. Situated along Cobajo Road, each containing approximately 1.76 acres, and two flag lots, lots of E1C3 and 81 C4, containing approximately 1.037 acres and 1.319 acres respectively. The intent of this application is to accommodate a four-house subdivision to continue to convey each of the lots to the applicant's trustees scratch. The subject properties situated within a rural neighborhood with the surrounding area characterized by pastures, like farming activities, the residential development. The parcel is currently approved with one single storage single family building unit that was constructed in 1996, which will be situated on proposed law 81c4. As representative the remaining portion of the properties presentation in exit pasture. The primary access to the project which is through Vino Road, which is a county owned brokery that is presently wide enough to accommodate two way to traffic. However, the roadway with this area does not comply with the current roadway standards. As such, a future road written reserve shall be established along the front agents of proposed lots 81c1 through 81c4, subject to the specifications of the Department of Public Works for Industry Classification. As well as Passport Zoning Permit C for 2024-6 and varies permit B 2024-2. It was identified that the property was incorrectly referenced as Line 81C1. The department has worked down again resolving this issue, and the current reference to Log A U1C is reflected in this subdivision application. Comments are pending from the Department of Public Works, Engineering Division, the Department is recommending preliminary subdivision map. Is this going to have any impact upon the traffic on that? Four amounts is supposed to one. So it shouldn't have any impact. But the engineering division still the comments are still getting division. Do we have an applicant present to present? Morning. So if you'd like to make if you'd like to add anything else other than what if we have in front of us, we can do it. No, I do not. I'll just work with whatever console. Okay. Do you have any questions for that? Thank you. So are we waiting for multiple and approval?
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