2004-09-16 Planning Commission Minutes

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Jeff Scofield, adjoining property owner, noted his concerns about increased traffic, noise, safety for his two young children, and no provision for a buffer zone or any landscaping. He pointed out that the previous owner of his property built a rockwall on the property in question in error, and he was concerned that the rockwall would come down to build the roadway. He said when he found out about this plan, he contracted someone to do some plantings on his property, but unfortunately that person contracted has been hospitalized and been unable to do the work. He noted that the back of his house to the edge of his property is approximately 30 feet. In response to Commissioner Siracusas inquiry, Mr. Fuke said the Code requires a minimum right-of-way of 20 feet with a 16-foot pavement for a subdivision of six or less lots; and as the applicant, per his engineer, is proposing a 32-foot wide right-of-way, they would have no objections if the Commission wishes to impose a minimum 6-foot wide landscapedbufferalongthepropertylineadjoiningMr.Scofieldsproperty.Mr.Fuke agreed with Mr. Yuen that it would make sense to run the road on the makai side so that when the adjacent lot owner decides to develop they will share a common access out to Haihai Street. Commissioner Siracusa felt if the roadway is to go on the mauka side a condition should be imposed that there be a landscaping buffer. Mr. Fuke noted that if the road is on the makai side of the property, Mr. Scofields concern of quality of life disappears. For Commissioner McCalls information, Mr. Hayashi noted that the subdivision owners would own, maintain and assume liability of the roadway lot. Mr. Fuke referred to a fatality where the driver ran a stop sign thinking the road was a through street. Commissioner Siracusa said that potential misconception could be mitigated by having the developer put a private drive sign at his entrance, to which Mr. Fuke said there were different ways to accommodate that situation. The Director and Mr. Fuke agreed with Commissioner McCalls suggestion of a 6-foot landscaped buffer if the roadway is on the mauka boundary. Commissioner Graham informed Mr. Scofield that the Planning Commission is an advisory body and the County Council makes the final decision; and he then suggested Mr. Scofield obtain the support of other landowners in the area in case he needs to make a case before the County Council. Mr. Hayashi then suggested a friendly amendment to Condition B by changing the word form to from after the words 90 days. 7