The Maui Planning Commission has recommended moving forward with a revised plan for a 670-acre housing development in Wailea that reduces the requirement to provide affordable housing from 700 to 288 units.

Developer Honua’ula Partners said the 700 units promised in the initial approval of the former Wailea 670 project did not work financially.

The 670-acre project on the southern tip of Piilani Highway was approved more than 16 years ago for 1,400 homes with 700 being designated as affordable housing.

In the revised plan discussed Tuesday, Honua’ula Partners proposes developing a total of 1,150 units. The proposed project now goes to the Maui County Council for review.

The council initially approved the project in 2008 when developers were being required to set aside 50% of the housing units for affordable housing. The affordable housing requirement is now 25%.

Commissioners Mark Deakos, who voted against the developer’s revised plan, said many people in the community voiced opposition to the reduction in affordable housing, saying it was a far cry from what it once was.

Planning Commissioners also struck down a move to require the developer to complete the infrastructure including the widening of a half-mile section of Piilani Highway from two to four lanes prior to allowing buyers to occupy the homes.

Commissioner Ashley Lindsey said she did not want to potentially put Maui homebuyers in a predicament where they’re stuck renting a home and unable to occupy their unit while the road widening takes place.

The commissioners supported the idea of developing a $5 million Hawaiian cultural education center within the development. Honua’ula Partners also plans to provide a two-acre site for use by the Maui police and fire departments.

At a public hearing earlier this month, many residents criticized the reduction of affordable housing units and voiced concerns over the traffic the project could cause on the two-lane Piilani Highway in the Wailea area.

Some critics said approving a development, then allowing it to reduce the number of affordable housing units would set a bad precedent.

Several unions testified in favor of the project including the International Longshore and Warehouse Union representing thousands of hotel workers on Maui.

Union representatives said the project would provide a wide range of affordable housing for union members who would benefit by being closer to work near the Wailea Resort.