Project In Hawaiian Flood Zone Is Denied

The proposed commercial development would require the removal of numerous exotic monkeypond trees, which are protected by the Kaua'i planning commission's regulations. Also, the flood-prone site has left many residents uneasy about the prospect of having even more buildings that are subject to destruction during flooding. The developer is upset about the project being denied and has claimed the county missed deadlines to notify him of the reasons for denial. He plans to sue the county, but county officials claim that slight revisions to the proposed design could make it possible.

" 'The proposed conditions render the project, in essence, unfeasible,' attorney Walton Hong said."

"Lawrence Chaffin, a commissioner who is an architect, disagreed, saying the project 'can be tweaked' and made smaller. In modifying the plan, the developer would be 'refining a design,' he said."

"The developer has the advantage of knowing what the county and residents want and can redesign a project that is as good as the original, Chaffin said."