BIL 087 Draft 02 2018-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EXHIBIT A streets include all streets that are not designated as collectors or arterials. Although local streets are not designed for through or heavy traffic, the connectivity of these streets with each other and with collectors is crucial ensuring that residents can easily reach destinations within the community. The design of local streets also plays an important role in affecting traffic speed and choice of travel modes. Narrow local streets tend to slow traffic and are more conducive to pedestrian travel. Narrow local streets also cost less to build and maintain, encourage more efficient land use, and improve neighborhood character. Narrow streets are an efficient way of connecting the local street system without encouraging the use of local streets for through or fast moving traffic. Local streets must be wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles and provide for on-street parking. Current budget limitations will hinder rapid major investment in public road improvements. But, even if immediate financing and approvals were available to improve roadways, other solutions to Kona's long term traffic woes are necessary. There are several other major strategies that embody the Guiding Principles expressed in Sections 4.3 Land Use, 4.5 Housing, and 4.6 Public Facilities, Infrastructure and Services. They relate to transportation, housing, land use, and infrastructure that needs to be integrated and, incorporated into Kona's long-term transportation policies as Kona's population continues to grow in the years ahead. These strategies include the following: 1. Mass Transit. A major expansion of the County's public mass transit service in Kona would provide significant alternatives to individual automobile use, 2. Multi-Modal Transportation. Taking advantage of Kona's consistently mild climate, a network of interconnected bike lanes, trails, and sidewalks within and outside road right-of-ways would provide a healthy and green alternative to automobile use. 3. Transit-Oriented Development(TOD). The development of compact, mixed-use villages which would integrate housing, employment, shopping, and recreation opportunities. Villages would be designed around transit stations/stops which would reduce the need for daily trips and financially support the expanded transit system. 4. Multi-Purpose Design. Beyond getting us from one place to another, our transportation corridors are major public spaces that must safely accommodate uses other than vehicular travel. 5. Safety and Aesthetic Qualities. Safety and aesthetic qualities need to play a larger role in improving existing and designing future roadways, in order to contribute to Kona's quality of life and tourism appeal. 6. Affordable Housing. Affordable housing located near major employment centers would serve to decrease the number of people who fill the roadways commuting long distances to work every day. These housing policies, which recognize their relationship to transportation, are addressed in the Section 4.5: Housing.