In a 5-0 decision, the Honolulu Planning Commission has decided to endorse the zoning change for the Koa Ridge project, bringing the proposed community in Central Oahu one step closer to development. Developer Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii had asked for a zoning change to turn 576 acres of agricultural land located between Mililani and Waipio into urban zoning. This would allow the project to start construction of their initial phase of 3,500 house. Koa Ridge would also have a new medical facility, a commercial center, an elementary school, parks and possibly a hotel. Supporters of the project are delighted about the news and are happy that there will be additional construction jobs and homes in the neighborhood. Opponents of the project protested that there would be additional traffic problems and prime agricultural farmland will be lost to the redevelopment.
Castle & Cooke hopes to build a second phase of Koa Ridge sometime in the future on a separate 192 acre area located nearby. The plan would be to build 1,500 homes and an elementary school in that location, but a separate zoning change would be needed for that project. If both projects are approved, it is estimated that the combined cost would be $2.2 billion and take about 10 years to complete.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 7-11-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
