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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0328.001 1996-1998 PROJL.~T PLANNERS ~_AWAII 5375 Kalanianaole Highway • Honolulu, Hawaii 96821 June 2, 1997 C7 O C C-~ ; Council Member Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd t-' Chair . ' Committee on Planning C Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street ! Hilo, Hawaii 96720 `f Re: Lako Street Connection Unit 2 Kona Vistas Subdivision Holualoa, North Kona, Hawaii Dear Council Member Leithead-Todd: Pursuant to your request of May 30, 199?, please find sixteen copies of the letter sent to Council Member Joe Reynolds regarding the possible connection of Lako Street between Iolani and Kona Vistas subdivisions in Holualoa, North Kona, Hawaii. As contained in my letter to Council Member Reynolds, Gamrex presently has no plans to build Unit 2 at Kona Vistas in the near future. I spoke with Mr. Terry Dunlap with Maryl Development who is the developer of the Iolani Subdivision the other day. Maryl has concerns about the connection and I believe it will contact the Council with them. Project Planners Hawaii does not represent Maryl Development. Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions on this matter. Present plans of action are sketchy and I have not heard back from Council Member Reynolds as of this writing. Respectfully, Greqg Kashiwa cc: Gamrex, Inc. ~ 3z8 . o/ s~t~a nA. ~ ` Nsf, To; Preserlteo p L Ref. Lute .li1N 3 1997 m_, Honolulu Phone (808) 373-2989 • Kona Phone (808) 329-9724 • Kona Fax (808) 326-2789 PROJT ~'T PLANNERS 'TAWAII 5375 Kalarziarzaole Highway • Horiolulu, Hawaii 96821 May 20, 1997 Councilman Joe Reynolds Hawaii County Council County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Lako Street Connection Gamrex, Inc. Kona Vistas Subdivision Holualoa, North Kona, Hawaii Dear Joe: In response to our telephone conversation on Wednesday, May 14, 1997, i have been in contact with Gamrex, Inc. regarding the connection of Lako Street between the makai end of iolani Subdivision and the mauka end of Unit 1B in the Kona Vistas. Subdivision. This link in Lako Street would would provide a connection from Hualalai Road to Kuakini Highway. This is the connection that was discussed at Gamrex's public hearing before the Hawaii County Planning Commission on May 1, 1997, at the Kona Surf Hotel. In my testimony, it was made clear that Gamrex has satisfied all of the conditions of rezoning within the RS 15 zoned area. The present request for amendment that will appear before the Council in the near future deals with a time extension for the RM 5 zoned area. Development of those lands is tied to a flood control project that is presently being undertaken jointly between Gamrex and the Department of Public Works (DPW), County of Hawaii. The progress and circumstances of the flood control design, permits and approvals are set forth in the application. All of the land for the Lako Street connection is owned. by Gamrex and lies within Unit 2 of the Kona Vistas subdivision. Gamrex has preliminary plans for the proposed connection prepared by Imata & Associates, Inc. of Hilo. These plans are a portion of the plans for all of Unit 2. -1- Honolulu Phone (808) 373-2989 • Kona Phone (808) 329-9724 - Kona Fax (808) 326-2789 The plans as mentioned are preliminary and have not been reviewed by DPW, HELCO, Hawaiian Telephone, Sun Cablevision or Department of Water Supply (DWS). They can be made available to appropriate agencies. Gamrex has indicated that it is willing to explore the proposed construction of the Lako Street connection with the Council based on the funding outlined by you over the phone. in a nutshell, the County would fund the construction of the connection now and Gamrex would be responsible for repayment of this construction loan at some point in the future. While there are many points to consider in this agree- ment, and there may be many other related points that will arise, Gamrex would like to voice some of its initial concerns at this point so you can be aware of them. They are as follows: 1. All utility lines and water lines should be installed. The roadway will need street lights and it is sensible to install all other related underground lines during the construction of the connection. This will alleviate the need to close off portions of the roadway later once the public begins use of the connection. The roadway should not be touched after it is completed and dedicated to the County. 2. The County funds for the connection should be loaned to Gamrex much like a construction loan. Gamrex will construct the roadway according to approved plans reviewed and permitted by DPW and other governmental agencies. The project will be bonded and insured with the County being additionally carried. All construction draws would be made according to a set draw schedule. 1 All appropriate County and State inspections during construction would apply. After final inspections and approval of the finished road- way by DPW, Gamrex would dedicate the finished connection to the County. This mode of permits, inspections and dedication is standard practice for all subdivisions. No additional County personnel would be used in the construction process, and Gamrex would be able to control to a certain extent, construction -a- related security, traffic and interruptions of of water and other related utilities during the construction period. This method of funding would provide the least amount of County time and personnel. Should it be needed, construction status reports can be provided to the Council as needed. 3. A repayment agreement for the construction loan must be reached, as Gamrex does not need any inventory within Unit 2 at this time.. It should also be noted that Gamrex is not allowed to access any of its lots from Lako Street. The proposed connection of Lako Street will not benefit Gamrex in any way nor will it provide Gamrex with any additional inventory. Sales data can be furnished you to determine an estimated date Gamrex may need to build Unit 2 which would translate into the term of the loan. 4. Gamrex should not be required to participate in in any intersection improvements at Hualalai Road. 5. Once Lako Street is completed, the makai bound lanes will become a "speedway". Gamrex will look to the Council to provide support for a continuing program of speed enforcement of the 25 M.P.H. posted speed limits through both Iolani and Kona Vistas subdivisions. 6. Both Gamrex and the County have legal representa- tion which will need to to review and document any agreement reached between Gamrex and the Council. Gamrex reserves its right to legal review of the completed proposal. While this letter certainly does not cover every concern from the County's or Gamrex's viewpoint, I believe that it provides a starting point for discussions. Gamrex has a wealth of sales information and infrastructural knowledge for Kona Vistas. These can be made available for informational purposes. I am not certain of the follow- ing steps in this process and look to you for guidance. -3-