Lateral
beach access along the shoreline at Wainiha is at risk if the
Planning Commission approves of a building location permit application
being heard at
9am
March 9th at Lihue Civic Center
Moikkeha Bldg. Rm 2A-2B at 4444 Rice Street, Lihue.
The shoreline setback proposed for this house is so close to the
beach that if built where planned, it would cut off lateral access
along the beach.
The
Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) did a shoreline
certification for the property in the summer time when the surge
is at its lowest on the north shore. Despite the fact that the
validity of the certification was legally questioned by a north
shore resident, DLNR denied the challenge. DLNR determined that
the setback starts from the naupaka that was planted and watered
with irrigation lines installed in the sand of the public beach.
If that artificial demarcation is used, the house would be so
close to the waves during times of high surf that it would be
impossible to walk along the beach in front of the house, effectively
cutting off one end of the beach from the other. During a high
surf this January photos revealed that the beach would be impassable
if the house were to be placed in a location that would apparently
meet with DLNR's approval.
The Planning
Commission cannot change the certified shoreline setback which
is established by the DLNR. What the Planning Commission CAN do,
however, is make adjustments for DLNR's inadequate shoreline certification
by making sure that the setback for construction is adequate to
protect the shoreline. I've been informed by the person who has
researched this property very thoroughly, that the houses next
it are set back 80 feet from the certified shoreline and that
a similar setback would be appropriate for this parcel.
Now is the last chance for the beach in front of this parcel to
be protected. Please attend this meeting or send testimony to
the Planning Commission to ask that a substantial setback be established
to preserve lateral beach access.
Send testimony to arrive by Friday to:
Kauai County Planning Commission
4444 Rice Street
Lihue, HI 96766
Your testimony
needs to reference this item as:
Lot
2, Wainiha Subdivision, S-84-58.
IF YOU CAN COME, THAT WOULD BE THE BEST INPUT OF ALL. It will
be the very first item on the agenda at 9am, so you can come,
give your testimony and leave within a short period of time.
PLEASE HELP SAVE OUR BEACHES!
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