PD Background Report BWA LLC (PL-SPP-2023-033)

Home

on the site. The applicant estimates approximately 5 tour buses of 50 visitors each per day on the site. In the long term, an average of 1,200 visitors will be accommodated on the site. Currently, there are three full time and two part-time employees. After construction of the visitor center, it is estimated that a total of 12 employees will be hired. Current hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including weekends. These hours will continue to be in effect after construction of the visitor center. 5. The desired use will not adversely affect the surrounding properties. Surrounding properties are zoned Agricultural (A-20a) and are fallow and abandoned cane fields, pasture, or cultivated diversified agricultural crops such as ginger or sweet potato. The closest dwelling is located across the Hanapueo Stream to the northwest. In addition,according to the applicant,a portion of the adjacent property mauka of the site is used for the botanical garden. The World Botanical Garden has been in operation since 1995, and there are no complaints regarding the operation of the business on the site. The proposed visitor center will occupy a small portion of the site, and the view plane from the highway will not be affected. The generator will emit some minimal noise only when in operation. 6. The desired use will not unreasonably burden public agencies to provide roads and streets,sewers,water, drainage,school improvements,police and fire protection. Access to the project site is from Highway 19 to Leopolino Road,a 21-foot wide, paved, single- lane roadway to the Old Government Road,a 14-foot wide paved single-lane County road. The ownership of Leopolino Road is uncertain,but the County has been maintaining it. The entrance to the site is approximately 100 yards from the road. There is a packed gravel parking area on the site adjacent to the shelter. After the construction of the visitor center, access is proposed from Leopolino Road onto a 30-foot wide paved driveway designated as "Palm Avenue", a former cane haul road lined with 50 palms approximately 40 feet tall. Visitors will exit the site by looping mauka within the site onto the Old Government Road 7. The Police Department recommends accesses only from Leopolino Road, instead of Old Government Road to Kauniho Road to Highway 19 (from the site),due to the speed of eastbound traffic on Highway 19 at the intersection with Kauniho Road. In addition,the Police Department has indicated that the Old Government Road from the site heading north is too narrow for two-way traffic. S. Tour buses will be well prepared in advance to decelerate and negotiate the exit from Highway 19 onto Leopolino Road and onto the site. In a letter dated June 2, 2004, the Department of Transportation recommends that the applicant prepare a Traffic Impact Analysis Report (TIAR)addressing the following: • an evaluation of intersection improvements at Leopolino Road and Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) to include, but not be limited to, acceleration lanes, deceleration lanes, storage lanes, and other safety improvements. 8-