That same day, Crispin had a scheduled afternoon appointment with Donna Goth, president of Kapolei Property Development, to discuss zoning application plans for the City of Kapolei Phase II project.

From what he heard that morning, Crispin invited the officials — advocates of "smart-growth" development principles to create strong neighborhoods with a range of housing, commercial and transportation options — to the afternoon meeting on Goth's business zoning application request.

"It's a whole new direction for Campbell (Estate) and will encourage not just commercial but live, work and play (opportunities)," said Crispin, who expects a City Council hearing on the rezoning application within 60 days. "It shows a paradigm shift both from the regulatory agency side as well as the private development side."

Instead of business zoning, Kapolei Property Development filed a Business Mixed Use application for its Phase II project, which would add 2 million square feet of commercial space and 300 residential units to the City of Kapolei. The Phase II design, in part, is a result of the January meeting, said Goth. "It was serendipitous," she said of the timing.

Pending permitting approvals, Phase II construction, which will be done in increments, is expected to begin in early 2005, said Goth.

One "smart-growth" component of the Phase II project that Crispin said has been approved in writing by City Managing Director Ben Lee is a drainage canal that will be different from the prototypes built here.

"The initial plan was for a 50 feet deep, 60 feet wide (drainage canal)," Crispin said. "It's now 10 feet deep and landscaped with trees."

It will feature pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths as well as vehicle and pedestrian bridges that have the potential to connect the city of Kapolei and the Mehana project, being developed by D.R. Horton, Schuler Division, with Kalaeloa.

Mehana is also mixed use and not a total residential project, Crispin said.

Michael Jones, D.R. Horton, Schuler Division president, said the project will have three- and two-story buildings with residential units above businesses as well as single-family homes. There will be 1,150 homes and the projected opening is 2008, said Jones.

Jones likes the "softer edge" look of the drainage canal design and the fact that it provides a connection to another community.

Both the Phase II and Mehana projects are examples of "smart growth," said Crispin.

"They're addressing a lot of concerns by generating business and employment opportunities where people live," Crispin said. "As someone once said, the best commute is being there."