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<br /> i' <br /> June 1, 2006 <br /> Board of Directors <br /> Page 9 <br /> alternatives, and that the variance would be consistent with the general purpose <br /> of the district, the code, the County general plan, and not be detrimental to the <br /> public welfare. Subdivision Code, Section 23-15. An application for the variance <br /> must be submitted and notice must be given to surrounding property owners. <br /> Subdivision Code, Sections 23-16 and 23-17. <br /> Again, as to Makalei Drive, no variance application was submitted. Rather, <br /> the developer exchanged correspondence regarding the standards for Makalei <br /> Drive. As built, Makalei Drive appears to be in violation of the Subdivision Code. <br /> Notably, the Subdivision Code provides in part: <br /> The council shall not take over, receive by dedication, do any repair <br /> or construction work upon streets or pavements, water lines, street <br /> lighting systems, sewer lines, or in any way accept as public <br /> highways any street in any subdivision opened or platted is the <br /> County after December 21, 1966, except upon full compliance with <br /> the provisions of this chapter. <br /> Subdivision Code, Section 23-9. <br /> The Coun~,y's Day To Desivn And Maintain_Safe Road-s <br /> Our understanding is that Makalei Drive is owned by Iiiluhilu and has not <br /> yet been dedicated to the County. If the road were to be dedicated, the liability for <br /> the design and maintenance of the road would pass to the County. If the road <br /> were used as collector street in its present design, the County could face liability <br /> for property damage, injury, and death for aardents caused by any negligent <br /> design of Makalei Drive. <br /> The County owes a duty to the public to design and maintain reasonably <br /> safe highways. Breed v. Shaner. 57 Haw. 656 (1977) (county and state have duty <br /> to keep their respective highways in reasonably safe condition, including duty to <br /> design highway to be safe for travel by people exercising ordinary care); ~ <br /> ,~nd~rs v_ 3ta_ <br /> te, 60 Haw. 381 (1979) (state must exercise Ordinary care in <br /> maintaining state highway in reasonably safe condition); ICienker v. Bauer. 110 <br /> Haw. 97 (2006) (state held liable for negligent design of highway). <br /> The Land Use Commission recommended in its order that vehicles with <br /> .weights of 10,000 pounds or more not be permitted to use the road. Mr. Kuba <br /> stated in his correspondence that Makalei Drive `was not designed and <br /> constructed to County collector street standards". Accordingly, there appears to <br /> be some concern at the government level that the road is not safe for use as a <br /> collector street, and the County is on notice of this concern. However, the <br /> expertise of a road design or engineering professional would be necessary to <br /> 615197.IA)54-1 <br /> <br />