Coco Palms hearing tabled
by Lester Chang - THE GARDEN ISLAND

Posted: Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 - 09:52:48 pm HST

The Kaua'i County Planning Commission yesterday tabled a hearing for Coco Palms Ventures�f proposed spa to seek more comment from government entities.

Meeting at the Lihu�ee Civic Center, the commission sought data from the Kaua�ei-Ni�eihau Burial Council and the Kaua�ei County Historic Preservation Review Commission on the placement of the proposed facility ? or parts of it ? by what are believed to be historical sites at the Coco Palms Resort.

The hearing will eventually address Coco Palms�f proposal for an entry pavilion and reception area, locker rooms, a lounge, a gym, a weight room, a lap pool with a deck, pools and two tennis courts.

Some critics say the project should be built within new buildings and not on top of existing tennis courts at the northern end of the resort.

Critics also say the project will generate more traffic congestion in the Wailua / Kapa�ea corridor.

A fourth lane ? southbound to Lihu�ee ? will be created through a partnership with Coco Palms Ventures, the state Department of Transportation and Mayor Bryan Baptiste�fs administration.

Construction is scheduled to start this summer and be completed in a year.

The developer also has pledged to make intersection improvements and build a walking bridge over Kuhio Highway.

The developer is asking the commission to approve a Special Management Area Use permit, a use permit, a variance permit and a Class IV permit for the fitness center project.

Former Mayor Maryanne Kusaka, Mike Swanson, a consultant, and Kaua�ei Realtor Donna Apisa all attended the meeting in support of the proposal.

Critics included residents Ken Taylor and Elaine Dunbar, as well as Cheryl Lovell-Obtake, a former leader on the burial council.