Could the third time be the charm for Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii?
That’s what the developer is hoping. Earlier Thursday, the state Land Use Commission once again, approved Castle & Cooke’s proposed community for Central Oahu. It’s one of the largest developments planned for the island.
Castle and Cooke Homes has been planning Koa Ridge for nearly 15 years. And for the third time, the LUC has given Koa Ridge, the green light.
"We are confident, we are cautious going forward, but we do feel real good about this approval," said Bruce Barrett with Castle & Cooke.
The developer hopes to finally move forward with plans to build a mixed-use community nestled between Waipio and Mililani. It would sit on both sides of the H-2 Freeway, and feature 5,000 homes, 2,500 permanent jobs and a medical center. But opponents believe this area, should be left alone.
"We don’t think the Land Use Commission really adequately considered the impacts of eliminating some of the best farmland on Oahu," said Robert Harris with the Sierra Club.
But Castle & Cooke officials say they are relocating current tenant Aloun Farms.
"So it’s been very important to us that we do mitigate the agriculture and we make sure that the farmland and the farming is going to continue," Barrett said.
In addition to losing farmland, some people oppose the project because,
"I just think it’s way way too much traffic for this area," said Pam Neff, Mililani resident.
But Castle & Cooke plans to improve the Ka Uka Boulevard exits, and build a new interchange. Some people welcome the proposed community.
"I think we might look at maybe renting out the current unit we have and eventually maybe buying something out over here," said Jon Fo, Mililani resident.
The LUC is expected to give its final approval, and discuss approval conditions, later this month. Opponents, including the Sierra Club and state Senator Clayton Hee, will have 30 days to appeal the decision.
The developer hopes to keep the project moving forward, by obtaining a zone change from the city.
If that happens, Castle & Cooke could break ground on Koa Ridge by the end of next year, with residents moving in, by the end of 2014.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
