WAILUKU - Maui County Council members gave final approval Friday to budget bills to make available $2.71 million to purchase 100 acres in Waikapu for a county consolidated baseyard project.
Property being eyed for the project is on the south side of Waiko Road and in the vicinity of the future Waiale Road extension, also on the east side of Honoapiilani Highway. The land owned by Waiale 905 Partners LLC will be purchased with general obligation bonds.
The baseyard project has run into opposition from members of the Waikapu Community Association and the Waikapu Gardens Homeowner Association. They have cited concerns about traffic, noise and the potential loss of a small community ambiance.
Mayor Alan Arakawa has assured the residents that they would be involved in the project's development.
Council members voted 8-1 in favor of the budget amendment and bond authorization bills needed to acquire the property. Council Member Riki Hokama cast the only vote in dissent.
He did not explain his vote on the floor, but during committee action on the bills last month Hokama voted against them, saying that in so doing he was showing his support for the Waikapu residents opposing the project.
Project plans call for consolidating county water, wastewater and solid waste baseyards at the Waikapu site, which also would be a location for firefighter training and administrative offices.
In other action, council members approved a 20-year conditional use permit for Ameron Hawaii to continue operating a concrete batching plant on 1.66 acres off Honoapiilani Highway next to the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
Council members also passed a bill on second and final reading to remove a prohibition on parking on South Kihei Road near Keawakapu Beach.
