COM 0795.001 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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area by the State, noting the State earlier contemplated an overpass for this area to accommodate pedestrian safety but found it too expensive and found that a traffic signal light would be more heavily used. He said that the 8 1/2 mile camp residents were in support of their application as it will provide a safe ingress/egress for their area. Mr. Fuke then summarized his amended approval recommendation he distributed to the Commission, noting they will comply with the Land Use Commission boundary amendment process, provide a landscaping buffer, and fund and/or construct conduits for the traffic lights at the Milo Street intersection, as well as pay their fair share for the traffic signal system in the area. He said the bypass would have to completely skirt the town to maintain its integrity. Filomena Sumarnap representing the 8 1/2 Mile Camp Association read and submitted written testimony into the record in strong support of the application. Carl Okuyama representing Sure Save Supermarkets read and submitted written testimony into the record opposing the application. He clarified that they do not oppose business developments but would like to see developments done within the town core and so that the bypass will remain a bypass. He pointed out that recently established businesses in the area were unaware of this change of zone application. Warren Yamamoto, traffic engineer with M&E Pacific, said the bypass is expected to be in place in 1999; and regardless of what zoning is allowed for the subject property, a traffic signal will be required by the year 2000 because of the projected school enrollment in the area. In response to Commissioner Souza's inquiry, Ms. Gagorik said the Planning Department has continued to emphasize that commercial developments should be maintained in the Keaau town area or in the State Land Use Urban designation and the Department's position has been if the County were to allow commercial developments in the area it opens the door for a lot more expansion in this area which is still under State Land Use Agricultural designation. Director Goldstein noted that she does recognize that the MCX designation allows for commercial and industrial uses. In response to Commissioner McIntosh's inquiry, Ms. Gagorik said that traffic is also an issue in land use planning. She pointed out that with commercial zoning there is a higher density in terms of uses which impacts the whole traffic pattern for the area, noting that in the past the area was mainly used for agriculture and the roads were canehaul roads. Commissioner Tanaka said if the Planning Department is saying all developments Hilo side of the bypass road should be strictly industrial and Volcano side should be commercial perhaps the Department needed to look at where does the MCX fit in, otherwise there should not be the MCX zoning at all. He said the difference of allowable uses in the MCX and ML zonings were minimal, traffic signalization will be required whether or not this property is developed, and any traffic impact is more than satisfactorily addressed by the applicant's proposal. He -13-