REP PC 119 07/31/2006 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Communication 953 Bill 305 Page 4 of 8 still opposed to the project after hearing applicant's presentation and rationale, Mrs. Abe and Mrs. Hamakawa stated they still have concerns about parking because excess cars will end up on the street. Council Chair Higa stated for the record that he lives on the comer of Leilani and Laukapu Street and that traffic concerns are understandable as Laukapu Street has been the connector road since it's one way to access Kawili Street. He noted this is a tough matter for him because believes affordable units should be included in his azea and though the project does have merits, density has been a sticking point for him. Mr. Higa stated his opposition due to the density issue and noted his dilemma as he thinks the timing of this application is off and wished that Mr. Arakaki's suggestion of postponement was entertained. Mr. Higa commended Mr. Mochida for his past work with the county and his contributions in using his equipment to clear property in the area free of charge. Committee Vice Chair Hoffmann stated that given what was just said, would applicant entertain Mr. Arakaki's suggestion to postpone. Applicant's consultant, Sidney Fuke stated that reducing density to 16 units would not be feasible, especially since the project initially included Parcel 60 (Mr. Aburamen's pazcel), but has since been removed from this application due to an Industrial designation and that if approved, the affordable housing component would have to be built on Mr. Mochida's property. Council Member Ikeda expressed concern regarding pictures showing collection of water on the streets, drywells that fill up and ponding. Mr. Fuke responded that with or without the proposed project, flooding will still occur. Mr. Mochida said Council Member Ikeda was right, being close to sea level does have an impact on drainage and because of that he said the standard drywell would not be used on his project. Council Chair Higa noted that the flooding shown in the photograph of the doctor's lot is caused by the doctor's drywell being located in a wrong location (at the top of the doctor's property) and that additionally, water is coming from outside of the immediate area. Council Member Doc. Holschuh stated that if Ms. Hamakawa's issue regarding drainage could be agreed upon, maybe this could be worked out, but noted that if density had to be reduced to lower than what it is now, it can't be feasible to do the project. In response to Council Member Safarik's inquiry regarding the current medium density zoning and what can be developed there now, Mr. Fuke stated applicant could subdivide his pazcels into 6 lots, then sell each lot and request `ohana dwellings for each and then end up with 12 lots with no affordable housing requirement. Applicant stated he doesn't azgue that density he is requesting would be twice as much as currently zoned, but his issue is insurance premiums of which the dollar amount requirement for this project is too high. Mc Mochida noted that every department who looked at his application was okay with it and that his townhouse project would generate less traffic. Mr. Mochida noted that the police department did not have concerns and various studies completed with no objections. He noted that the rest of the people who are against his project aze home renters and because they are in an Industrial azea, he believes the community should be worried more about industrial uses and not concerned about his little project. Council Member Arakaki stated he still thinks it is a good idea to re-look at this project again. If less density (something less than 25), talk with the community and see what they could live with and take care of some of the problems. Mr. Arakaki thinks it will be worth the effort, otherwise the process would have to be started all over again. Mr. Arakaki noted it's known what happens under `ohana zonings, but a nice PC Report No. 119