Before taking any action, the Kaua‘i County Planning Commission wants to know what residents feel about proposals by Mayor Bryan Baptiste and Kaua‘i County Council Chairman Kaipo Asing prohibiting more big-box stores on Kaua‘i. Because of plans to convert its
Before taking any action, the Kaua‘i County Planning Commission wants to know what residents feel about proposals by Mayor Bryan Baptiste and Kaua‘i County Council Chairman Kaipo Asing prohibiting more big-box stores on Kaua‘i.
Because of plans to convert its Lihu‘e store into a supercenter, Wal-Mart — one of four big-box stores on Kaua‘i — has voiced opposition to passage of any such laws.
During a meeting at the Lihu‘e Civic Center yesterday, the Planning Commission received letters from Baptiste and Asing on the matter, consolidated four proposals into one and asked the county Planning Department to set a public hearing date.
Commissioner Steve Weinstein said the council should be informed of that decision because its bill is proposed to be lumped in with three others from the mayor.
Commission chair Randy Nishimura said the Planning Department should have the flexibility to decide whether or not to do that.
Baptiste’s three bills propose limiting the size of retail or wholesale stores to no more than 75,000 square feet in resort, commercial and industrial areas.
The council’s reflects the same intent, but in only one bill.
County leaders say while the big-box stores help residents save money by selling in bulk, they work against smaller mom-and-pop stores.
Aside from Costco and Wal-Mart, Kmart and The Home Depot are the other big-box stores on Kaua‘i.
