Developer Franco Mola of the MJF Development Corp received some bad news regarding obtaining the necessary permits for his new moderate-priced condominium tower at 803 Waimanu Street in Kakaako. Mola had made several requests for variances to the Hawaii Community Development Authority including increasing the height restriction from 65 feet to 250 feet, allowing 803 Waimanu to be built only 90 feet away from Imperial Plaza condominium's main tower and 39 feet away from Imperial Plaza's mid-rise tower. Under current laws, the minimum gaps between buildings is 300 feet in the mauka-makai direction and 80 feet in the Ewa-Diamond Head direction. The Hawaii Community Development Authority, which is responsible for regulating development in the Kakaako neighborhood, listened to testimonials from both supporters of Mola and those who opposed the variances and recommended that the board deny the building permit for 803 Waimanu due to substantial adverse effects on surrounding land users and the neighborhood character.
The Hawaii Community Development Authority has not officially voted to approve or deny the permit, as they are required to allow MJF Development Corp and opportunity to respond in writing to their recommendation. The actual vote is scheduled for August 7, 2013, but as of this writing the board voted 6-0 against the project as it stands right now. Imperial Plaza resident Bernard Nunies, testified against the variances requested and stated that the exemptions were an extreme" departure from HCDA's Mauka Area Rules governing building heights and tower spacing. Nunies stated, "We didn't make the Mauka Area Rules. All we are asking is you enforce the rules that you established."
Franco Mola has stated that he will not give up his plan to create a condominium tower at 803 Waimanu Street.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 7-4-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
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