Laserfiche WebLink
Maile David, Council Chair <br /> and Members of the County Council <br /> County of Hawai`i <br /> January 09, 2022 <br /> Page 7 <br /> Pursuant to the concurrency section of the Zoning Code(HCC 25-2-45(d)), the <br /> applicant submitted a Traffic Impact Report(TIR)that assessed the traffic impacts of <br /> "Areas A and B" of the Kumu Hou project("Area C' is not expected to generate any <br /> meaningful traffic).The TIR studied three (3)intersections in the vicinity of Kumu Hou <br /> which include Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway/Waikoloa Beach Drive (South); Queen <br /> Ka`ahumanu Highway/Waikoloa Beach Drive (North); and Queen Ka`ahumanu <br /> Highway/Mauna Lath Drive; the report found that all three (3)intersections currently <br /> operate at acceptable levels-of-service(LOS) (between LOS A and LOS D) in the AM <br /> and PM peak hours. The applicant noted that data used for the analysis was collected in <br /> 2019 at traffic count survey stations along the highway and at Waikoloa Road. The use of <br /> the 2019 data was due to the lack of accurate traffic data attributed to the ongoing <br /> Covid-19 pandemic at the time of the study. <br /> For purposes of the TIR, Kumu Hou was assumed to be fully built-out by 2045, at <br /> which time, the project was expected to generate 356 and 430 new vehicular trips during <br /> the project's AM and PM peak hours, respectively. The TIR concluded that while the <br /> LOS ratings along Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway could be worse in 2045 compared to <br /> 2019, these declines are expected to be the result of regional growth rather than directly <br /> attributable to the Kumu Hou development. <br /> The TIR provided several recommendations to mitigate future traffic impacts, <br /> including the provision of adequate site distance, adequate loading and turn-around areas <br /> for service, delivery and refuse collection vehicles, sufficient turning radii, <br /> wayfinding/destination signage, improved pedestrian facilities including ADA sidewalks, <br /> shared use and other facilities, bicycle facilities, and shuttle services. The applicant has <br /> also stated that the preparation of additional traffic studies will be completed to verify <br /> projected traffic after the completion of the 676 residential/timeshare units, or if project <br /> conditions should change significantly. <br /> After review of the draft TIR, the State Department of Transportation(DOT) <br /> provided comments that disagree with some of the TIRs analysis and resulting findings, <br /> the most significant of which is the study's reliance on the possibility of future widening <br /> of Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway in the vicinity of the project. DOT requested that the <br /> TIR be revised to re-analyze future traffic conditions without the widening assumption. <br /> Additionally, DOT further requested that the report be updated to identify future direct <br /> impacts from the project to State roadways (if any) and any appropriate mitigation <br /> measures, and that the applicant commit to implementing them as required and approved <br /> by DOT. Further, DOT suggested that the TIR be updated to include follow-up activities <br /> including commitments that local and fair regional mitigation be implemented,planned <br /> updates to the TIAR, suggest,permitting triggers, articulate fair share agreements for <br /> regional improvements, and implement other standard DOT requirements as needed. <br />