PA'IA — Developers looking to create space for new businesses while freshening up and improving safety for a 14-acre area in Pa'ia have won a key recommendation for approval from the Maui County Council.

The Paia Town Center project covers lots bounded by Hana Highway, Baldwin Avenue and Luna Place. The project includes building two two-story buildings totaling 9,200 square feet of new commercial space and providing 89 paved parking stalls, where there is now unlit gravel parking, according to plans provided to the council Land Use Committee by project managers Frampton and Ward LLC.

No existing businesses on the block, including Charley's Rest-aurant and Milagros Food Co., will be displaced.

The plans, which already won the approval of the Pa'ia Main Street Association, include a new police substation, courtyards, public bathrooms and shielded street lamps in what is considered by many to be a somewhat unsafe area, said councilmember Jo Anne Johnson, who represents West Maui.

"I think it's a very good project," said Upcountry council-member Gladys Baisa. "I see it as part of an overall urban renewal effort. Parking is a major issue in Pa'ia, and they are going to provide a large amount of parking, even if it they charge (the public) for it."

The Land Use Committee voted unanimously last week to grant Grace Condos, on behalf of 120 Hana Hwy LLC, a Pa'ia-Ha'iku Community Plan amendment from single-family to business/commercial and a change in zoning from interim to country town business district.

The measures could go before the full council for first reading on Jan. 11, said David Raatz, council legislative aide.

The plan also attempts to mitigate traffic in the area by only allowing vehicles to enter the parking lots from Hana Highway and only leave onto Baldwin Avenue.

The new buildings would contain a mix of businesses and could include residences, Johnson said. She said the buildings were designed to blend in with the town's existing architecture.

Land Use Committee Vice Chairman Joseph Pontanilla said no one spoke against the proposal.

"I think it's going to be a nice addition to the town of Pa'ia," Pontanilla said.

During its meeting last week, the Land Use Committee also approved: