KAILUA-KONA — A $30 million resort project in Waikoloa is again picking up steam.
Two years after the county Planning Department accepted applications to rezone part of a Waikoloa parcel and grant a special management area use permit for a proposed 44-unit resort development, the Leeward Planning Commission is expected to take up the issue during an upcoming meeting.
While the applications were under review, it was determined an archaeological inventory survey previously approved by the State Historic Preservation Division needed to be updated. A previously approved preservation plan also needed to be updated to reflect that survey.
The site is part of a 10-acre coastal property that includes Lava Lava Beach Club restaurant. The parcel is owned by Waikoloa BC LLC, according to the county Real Property Tax Office.
An application to subdivide that parcel into 7.849 acres and 2.151 acres is pending approval of the special management area permit. The larger portion, which wouldn’t include the restaurant, is the site of the proposed 44-unit resort development.
The rental units would be within 12 single-story bungalows, 16 two-story duplex units and 16 more units in a two-story structure. Other structures would include a single-story caretaker’s cottage, a restaurant/cafe, fitness center, reception area and 55 parking spaces.
None of those structures would exceed 30 feet in height, according to documents filed with the Planning Commission.
While the project’s concept remains the same, the location and height of the structures had to be changed because of the updated archaeological inventory survey and preservation plan.
Because the project changed, the more recent report was filed to provide “a better and clearer idea of what is being proposed,” according to the application.
The report says the updated archaeological survey of the site ultimately recommended six sites for preservation, including petroglyph sites and two anchialine ponds. Trails in the area also would be preserved.
The development company said it plans to get any other permits and start making needed improvements immediately upon receiving development permits, putting completion of a first phase or the entire project within five years of approval of the zoning change.
If done in phases, the second phase could be completed within three years of the first.
Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.