Lanai Planning Commission Supports Bill to Exempt Dole Park from Parking Requirements

In the heart of Maui County, a significant discussion unfolded during the Housing and Land Use Committee meeting, focusing on a proposed code amendment that could reshape the landscape of Dole Park. As committee members gathered, the air was filled with anticipation over Bill 21 20 25, which aims to exempt certain uses within the park and its surrounding public districts from existing parking requirements.

Gregory Foss, an administrative planning officer with the Department of Planning, presented the rationale behind the bill. He explained that the surrounding properties of Dole Park are predominantly zoned as Country Town Business District (BCT), which already benefits from exemptions to off-street parking requirements due to the ample public parking available in the area. In contrast, the park itself, along with its public quasi-public districts, has been subject to stricter parking regulations.

Foss highlighted the unique situation of Dole Park, which is encircled by streets lined with on-street parking spaces. He noted that the existing parking provisions were deemed excessive, particularly in light of a recent decision to reduce the parking requirement for a new bowling alley being constructed by Lanai Resorts LLC. Originally mandated to provide 42 parking spaces, the requirement was cut by half, raising questions about the necessity of additional parking in a location already rich in public parking options.

The Lanai Planning Commission, recognizing the disparity in parking requirements, initiated the code amendment process to align Dole Park's regulations with those of the surrounding BCT properties. If approved, the amendment would allow the new bowling alley to operate without the burden of providing off-site parking, reflecting a more equitable approach to land use in the area.

As the meeting progressed, committee members engaged in discussions about the implications of this amendment, weighing the benefits of increased accessibility against the need for adequate parking solutions. The outcome of this proposal could not only influence the future of Dole Park but also set a precedent for how similar areas in Maui County manage parking and land use.

With the committee's deliberations still ongoing, the community watches closely, aware that the decisions made today could shape the character and functionality of their beloved Dole Park for years to come.