2007-03-16 TSUNSTONE - Laserfiche WebLink

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TESTIFIERS:I do. ALAMEDA:Thank you. Could you please start off maybe from my right with your name and address, and you may proceed with your testimony? GIMPEL:Good Morning. My name is Joel Gimpel, G-I-M-P-E-L. And Im here representing the Kona Traffic Safety Committee. My address is 73-4686 Hina Lani Street in Kailua-Kona. Ill try and be as brief as possible. We understand that the zoning for these parcels that are covered by this application is appropriate. Accordingly, our comments focus on the effect of the traffic that will be generated by the development on shoreline access, and on related traffic safety issues. So with respect to the effect on shoreline access, we estimate that the residential units and the relatedcommercialspacewillgenerateatleast1,500vehicletripsaday,andthatsvery conservative. We acknowledge and appreciate that the applicant proposes to construct a two- lane mauka-makai connector road between Alii Drive and Kuakini Highway that should, according to the applicants traffic consultant, divert a portion of the traffic along Alii Drive and Kuakini Highway and have a positive effect on levels of service. Nevertheless, if we assume an even split of traffic, the development would add at least 750 vehicle trips per day to each road, which would severely compromise shoreline access via Alii Drive. So we believe that certain traffic issues must be considered in evaluating applications for SMA permits, because the recreation facilities contemplated under HRS 205 could include recreation corridors such as Alii Drive and the Alii Parkway. Accordingly, there should be enough room along Alii Drive to provide for all mandated traffic lanes, two minimum 5-foot bicycle lanes and two minimum 5-foot pedestrian ways. On-street parking along the development should be prohibited to protect the sight lines and avoid hazards to pedestrians and cyclists along Alii Drive. And adequate right-of-way must be available for roundabouts if the County determines that they are appropriate for intersections of the mauka-makai collector with both Alii Drive and Alii Parkway. In many locations, legal shoreline access is hampered by the absence of sufficient parking, and the publics right to enjoy natural beauty has been especially compromised by the existence of only a few parking spots along Alii Drive. That Drive was originally designated as a scenic drive, but it continues to be morphed into an unscenic corridor of concrete and asphalt, active with robust and competing uses by cars, bicycles, and people. Unfortunately, the virtue of conserving natural beauty appears to be a lower priority. With respect to traffic safety, the traffic consultants Preliminary Concept Report notes that a TIAR for the Laaloa Avenue Extension concluded that warrants for traffic signals were satisfied for signals at the Alii Drive and Kuakini Highway intersections with Laaloa Avenue, and that similar or possibly higher traffic volumes were anticipated for this applicants proposed mauka- makai road. Accordingly, their consultant views it as probable that traffic signals will be warranted for safety reasons. We agree that safety must be a prime consideration, but suggest that roundabouts be considered as well. 4EXHIBIT C