2006-02-24 TSmith_REZ05027 - Laserfiche WebLink

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lanes would cost a bit more than $300,000. You also heard testimony urging installation of a traffic signal, which would improve the level of service at theintersection and help regulate traffic on Hwy 190. But, weve not yet learned if there is any timetable or plan for the needed improvements. So, what to do? Should we conduct business as usual and approve the rezoning, hoping that the County and State will sometime in the future perhaps after a fatal collision, decide that its time to do something? Or, should we say, stop. No occupancy permits will issue in Kaloko Mauka until the needed traffic signal is installed and operating. Or better yet, we recommend that no subdivision approvals be granted until the County Council enacts an ordinance to require payment of impact fees. The County is out of compliance with the Statute that has required the ordinance for over 10 years. That, we believe, is the way to assure that vital infrastructure improvements that improve safety will be provided. We note also that rezoning is not a right, its a privilege. A privilege that should be granted only if the benefit to the community outweighs the disadvantages. In this case, until the Kaloko Drive/Hwy 190 intersection is made safe, we fail to see the benefit to the community. Thank you for the opportunitytocomment. GRAHAM:ThankyouMr.Gimpel.Ifyouwillstaythereforasecondincasewe have questions. Commissioner Springer? SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Gimpel good morning. GIMPEL:Good morning to you. SPRINGER:Thank you. And your comments in any way tempered by any ongoing highway improvements on the Mamalahoa Highway in the vicinity of Palani junction? GIMPEL:Well we recognize that theres a stoplight at the intersection of Hina Lani with Highway 190 that is being installed and also that there will be some turn lane improvements at the Route 180 junction with Route 190 and thats fine. But this intersection is close to a mile to the north and from personal experience Ive observed that the Route 190 traffic certainly in the morning and often in the afternoon going toward Kailua-Kona town is backed up that far. And people trying to get onto the Highway from Kaloko Drive have long waits and its a very dangerous intersection to try and make a left turn onto that. So, no theyre not tempered by that. Im hoping that the Hina Lani Drive light will improve safety at that intersection for cars trying to make a right turn from Hina Lani onto Route 190 which is its a blind turn right now without the light. So that will help that. But we need more regulated traffic along Kaloko, along the Mamalahoa there. SPRINGER:Thank you. GRAHAM:Follow up Commissioner Springer? SPRINGER:Yes Im wondering if Commissioner, if the Planning Director could respond to some of Mr. Gimpels comments? In particular the compliance issue that he raised. EXHIBIT A 4