2004-09-03 Planning Commission Minutes

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created prior to the 1967 Subdivision Code. He added that the proposed use is consistent with the urban nature of the surrounding area. Mrs. Mahi explained that when they constructed their home in the latter 1970s, they had to pay approximately $300 for a $300,000 bond for their driveway to connect to the State Highway, noting only the top portion was paved because of insufficient funds. She clarified that this driveway would be the access for the third lot and the other two lots would have access off Mahilani Drive. Mr. Mooers added they did not believe that Mrs. Mahi should have to relinquish the access point to the State Highway which is intended to serve only one of the three lots to be used by her son, as the State did approve this access. In response to Mr. Yuens inquiries, Ms. Mahi clarified that Lot B-3, which has a storage shedonit,wouldhaveaccessoffMamalahoaHighway;andLotB-2,whichhasthe existing residence, and Lot B-3 will have access off Mahilani Drive. She admitted that the topography of the land does not make it difficult to make the driveway on Lot B-3 access onto Mahilani Drive. Mr. Yuen recommended that the Commission go along with his amended condition circulated this morning to have the access to the proposed lots be from Mahilani Drive. He said although the applicants have an access onto Mamalahoa Highway and the rezoning would not increase that access, the applicants are getting a substantial benefit by the rezoning to go from one to three lots, and it appears feasible to have the three lots come in at Mahilani Street. He added that, as a general rule, the Planning Department tries to restrict accesses whenever possible in rezonings inasmuch as traffic problems will be created when more and more people move into an area. Commissioner Springer questioned if it was a planning decision to limit the points of ingress and egress off State highways. Mr. Yuen said limiting access onto a State Highway is a recognized principle, as having a lot of multiple points of entry reduces both the capacity of the highway to carry a lot of traffic and also it is not safe. Commissioner Graham concurred with the Planning Directors amended condition to limit access to Mahilani Drive, referring to the Police Departments comments. Regarding an increase in density, Mr. Mooers noted that as Mrs. Mahis daughter and her family live with her right now the density will not be increased with the proposed action. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on this matter. On SLU 04-007, it was moved by Commissioner Fujikawa and seconded by Commissioner Springer to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council as recommended by the Planning Director. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with seven ayes (Fujikawa, Springer, Alameda, Graham, McCall, Smith, and Galdones) and two absent and excused (Siracusa and Thibadeau). 3