WAILUKU (AP) — Maui County and developers of a proposed fast-tracked subdivision that includes affordable housing are facing a lawsuit over the development’s environmental assessment.
WAILUKU (AP) — Maui County and developers of a proposed fast-tracked subdivision that includes affordable housing are facing a lawsuit over the development’s environmental assessment.
The lawsuit brought by the Maalaea Community Association and Maui Tomorrow Foundation challenges the assessment, saying that some parts are false and it lacks required legal information, The Maui News reported (https://bit.ly/1P2hapG ).
MVI LLC is developing the 257-acre project between the West Maui Mountains and Honoapiilani Highway. The project would include 58 affordable lots and 55 market-priced lots. Each property would sit on at least 1 acre.
The county Department of Housing and Human Concerns issued a finding Oct. 26 of no significant environmental impact for the project. The county sent the final assessment to the state Office of Environmental Quality Control for publication and a 30-day public comment period.
The groups opposing the development claim the county’s finding of the developers’ plan was “invalid and illegal.”
The plaintiffs are calling for the project to be stopped without full compliance with state environmental law and the award of legal fees.
Doug Spencer of MVI said that the project has been well-received by members of the community, including police officers, county and state workers and small business owners.
“It is unfortunate that groups like Maui Tomorrow and the Maalaea Community Association continue to file lawsuits to oppose our efforts to develop affordable housing for Maui’s local working families,” Spencer said.
The lawsuit had not been served on Maui County as of Friday afternoon. The county typically does not comment on pending litigation.