HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0400.110 2002-2004 To: Mayor Kim
From: DIR
Subject: Proposed Concurrency Policy
Your proposed Concurrency Policy is certainly a bold step forward in trying to curb the
congestion problems in West Hawaii. We agree that some significant measures must be
taken to balance the proposed growth with the required infrastructure improvements, but
are uncertain as to what would be a reasonable approach.
We have a multifaceted problem, requiring a multifaceted solution. We need to address:
• Existing congestion problems;
o Identify and implement those projects that can be readily delivered.
This would include those projects funded and underway, such as the
Queen Kaahumanu Phase I; and those projects viewed as potentially
viable but not yet funded or being aggressively pursued.
• Future traffic growth;
o Identify future requirements, including internal roads for connectivity;
o Develop implementation strategies, including financial plans.
This would include assessing effectiveness of projects; project selection
and prioritization; and exploring and implementing funding strategies.
• Partnerships with the private sector.
~EtV[~ o Explore phased implementation of development to allow infrastructure to
catch up.
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l1nt°-----F'fu`~ t, ~ ~ Y„~ Upfront fimding by developers for PLN/DES/CON work, the cost of
poro ~~~;"~M;i which could be credited against their fair share contributions. This could
substantially expedite the infrastructure delivery.
Your proposed Concurrency Policy does propose certain specific requirements that could
help to mitigate existing problems, but the overall longer term circulation plan to
accommodate build out of the area could take a while to define. Concurrency as a
general policy is good but it needs to be coupled with a reasonable financial strategy to
ensure that the significant segments of the infrastructure, which can provide some
independent utility, can be built upfront.
We have the following thoughts:
1. Improvements to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, of and by itself, will not relieve
the congestion along the corridor. The through traffic needs be to separated from
the local circulation, requiring connectivity between the development projects to
create roadways parallel to the state's principal arterial.
2. A total corridor study is needed to determine local roadway requirements for
accessibility and local area circulation, and access management plans to the state
facilities.
3. To this end, it would be most advantageous if developer participation is sought,
that it be applied to the PLN/DES/CON on local mauka and makai connector
roads parallel to the Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Phis is viewed as a requisite to
improve the congestion problems along the con~idor, which will need to be
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implemented regardless of any other improvements, including the Queen
Kaalntmanu widening.
4. The developers' participation in the Queen Kaahumatnt Highway widening will
not necessarily accelerate the project. The project is planned for adesign-build
contract, with CON to connnence in 2007 and be completed in 2009. The
developers' contribution toward this contract would relieve the funding needs but
not necessarily advance the project.
In light of the above, we recommend that a prudent approach to partner with developers
may be to set a level of monetary contribution, which would be credited against their
required fair share contributions. Their contributions would be applied to specific
work-in this case, the PLN/DES/CON of local connector roads; and if there are residual
amounts, to be applied to the state's Queen Kaahumanu project. Work for the local
connector roadway would be an agreement between the developer and the County; work
toward the Queen Kaahumanu project should be directed to HDOT.
We have been trying to secure some technical assistance through our federal resources to
provide some gtudance to develop local connectivity standards and land use parameters
to support your goals and objectives. Please be assured that we are striving to support
your technical needs and to partner with you and your commtmity to arrive at the best
resolution to the transportation issues before us.