2006-05-05 TMochida - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

about this problem with officials from the County Public Works Department beginning April 1999, and are extremely fearful that this problem will escalate if the proposed development is allowed to occur, resulting again in more concrete and sidewalks with less natural vegetation and ground to absorb water runoff. We feel that Houselots, and Laukapu Street in particular, lacks the proper infrastructure to support a project of the size proposed. The roads are narrow, with one lane in each direction. The proposed land density will result in a drastic increase in people and cars, leading to street parking problems and traffic congestion on the 700 block of Laukapu Street which is already a heavily used thoroughfare to and from the industrial area. This will undoubtedly be compounded by construction of 8.5 units per acre. Now two parking stalls are provided for each of the 35 units, according to the plan, but there is a potential for an increase of 102 cars or more, with no parking available for 34 additional cars exceptonthestreet.Thiswouldhaveanadverseeffectnotonlyonthe700blockofLaukapu Street, but the surrounding blocks. Today 3 to 4 bedroom single family dwellings frequently have 3 to 4 cars, which can be parked on their property with 2 cars in the 2-car garage and 2 cars tandem in their driveway. When there are multiple family dwellings that provide parking for 2 cars/unit, the extra cars end up parked in the street, causing massive parking problems, as weve seen in the Salt Lake area in Honolulu. Now Paragraph 3 page 2 of the Environmental Impact Statement states Adequate space for 2 more stalls behind the garaged stalls could be used for guest parking. Now while I realize that Figure 4 of the proposal may not be drawn to scale, the drawing shows 2 cars passing each other comfortably on the property. However, there is not adequate space for 2 more stalls behind the garaged stalls. If the drawing is drawn to correct scale, then the statement is wrong. The so-called transitional area at the makai end of Houselots, which has apartments and commercial developments, exhibits parking problems and congestion, with cars parked on the street. We dont want this to spread to the rest of Houselots. Houselots is a convenient area to live, and with the proper infrastructure, such as wider roads, sidewalks, traffic lights to control traffic congestion, it provides a safer environment for all who live and/or visit the area, and storm drains to control flooding, I envision a rejuvenated Houselots area of mostly single family dwellings occupied by families who would prefer the convenience of living 5 minutes to town versus a 30-minute commute. The present single family dwellings of acre lots, such as ours, may have to give way to a denser configuration, but 34 units on 2 acres or 8.5 units per acre is a density which would irrevocably change the character of the neighborhood, increasing air and noise pollution and major safety issues for the residents. Figure 7 of the Impact Statement exhibits piecemeal zoning designations in the Waiakea Houselots area, and shows the need for an integrated larger plan for the area. Spot zoning will only serve the interest of the developers, commercial and light industrial enterprises, with complete disregard for the neighborhood. Please consider the impact of these drastic changes on the lives and property of what is presently there. We are against this rezoning and look to you to support our position. 10EXHIBIT C