Nuuanu development moves forward

Answer: Last month, Circuit Judge Randal Lee dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Nuuanu Valley Association seeking to require an environmental assessment of the project and seeking documents from the city regarding the approval process.

Nuuanu residents are concerned about potential flooding, landslides or rockslides from the new subdivision.

The city Department of Planning and Permitting granted conditional approval of plans for the subdivision on May 19, shortly after the Nuuanu Valley Association lost a court battle trying to prevent approval of the subdivision permit.

Some of the conditions include building improvements, utilities and drainage facilities and informing future owners of potential rockfall hazards and of the future owners' responsibilities to maintain, repair and restore their drainage and rockfall protection improvements.

The developer, Laumaka LLC, has one year to meet the conditions but can ask for extensions, said Henry Eng, director of the city's Department of Planning and Permitting.

Laumaka attorney David Rosen said his client is proceeding with the subdivision and will be applying for building and other permits to construct the drainage improvements.

Tony Clapes, president of the Nuuanu Valley Association, said the group is weighing its options. An appeal of Judge Lee's ruling on its lawsuit may cost too much money. Clapes said the group may also appeal a decision by the city Board of Zoning Appeals that the group has no standing to challenge the approval of the subdivision permit.

Clapes said the group is pursuing legislation before the City Council and the Legislature to give residents more of a voice in permitting decisions and providing more regulation of developments on steep slopes.