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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0452.016 1996-1998 Y?+..« SEAMOUNT ENTERPRISES LLC Ka'awaloa Orchards ~ ' i l October I, 1997 C,~, COMMUI~IITY RELATIONS re ROADWAY MITIGATION 1. June 3, 1997 letter from Engineer Leo Fleming to Sally Rice regarding proposed roadway and sketches. 2. August 7, 1997 letter from Christopher Nome to Eric Curtis confirming Curtis' undertaking to chair the proposed roadway management Limited Liability Company. 3. Larry Ford's August 8, 1997, written testimony at the Planning Commission hearing on Seamount Enterprises LLC's application. 4. August 25, 1997 letter from Sally Rice to neighboring real property owners concerning the issue of speed on the private roadway. 5. September 5, 1997 letter from Christopher Nome to neighboring real property owners concerning roadway design details. 6. September 5, 1997 letter from Larry Ford to Christopher Norrie re roadway issues. 7. September 26, 1997 letter from Christopher Nome to Larry Ford regarding roadway issues. o~. ll. 451.I1o >n>a n.. ZN~yIKti Ref. 4`0: PresentEUl~.,.~!~ ' Ref. Date ~ I ~5 199A LEO I. FLEMING P P.0. Box 396 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 329-2141 Sally Rice Seamount Enterprises LLC P.0. Box 5458 Kailua-Kona HI 96745 - Re: Proposed Ka'awaloa Orchards Agricultural Project District Dear Sally, June 3, 1 997 Regarding the concerns about- the roadway for the proposed Ka'awaloa Orchards Agricultural Project District crossing portions of Lots 46 through 76, the following is being proposed: 1) The existing road (previously designed by me) between lots 4B and 5B will remain in its present form. 2) A similar standard will be continued between lots 66 and 76, 1 6 feet of pavement in a 20 foot graded right of way. 3) The road will be engineered for and posted at a 1 5 mph speed. The impacts of this proposal are significantly less than that of a County Standard Road, which the County could impose and for which Easements Al and A5, as shown on the attached subdivision map (exhibit "B") have been specifically reserved. I understand that further cut slope fill easements have been reserved over 66 and 7B. I have prepared a sketch (exhibit "A") of typical cross sections of both the proposed road and the County Standard Road for comparative purposes. I also include a preliminary sketch of the cut and fill necessary for the proposed extension of the existing road engineered for 1 5 MPH. The cut and fill for a County standard road would be much more extensive both because of the greater width and because it would have to be engineered fora 25 MPH speed which would require a substantially greater degree of grading. Regarding the suggestion of speed bumps, I am unwilling to include these on my drawings for liability reasons. I do not believe that the Department of Public Works will accept them and I point out that the same risk of liability could extend to the lot holders on which such speed bumps might be located. They are not a practical alternative. Speed will be naturally reduced by the narrower 1 S MPH design of the proposed road. Speed can be further reduced by extensive use of signs such as Private Road, Children at Play, and 1 5 MPH. I am willing to include these in my drawings. If the 1 5 MPH design speed is accepted, I will have some flexibility to design a road which encourages caution while maintaining sound engineering practices. Please be assured that I will be personally supervising the implementation of my work. This will include the eventual layout in the field, and consultation with the lot holders regarding the mitigation of any construction impacts. Should you or any of the lot holders have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Yours incerely, eo Flemm'' g 'P.~- ~ far ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I i i ~ Lor~B _ _ .E'OAO EXCf1 Yff r/O~V~,~ETCi/ / ~ .4 ~ F ~ /"=/00' ?f' ~ 1Y~-k- r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ rYP, ~J' -f,T ,E'a~+v jE;T/orv Foe 3 . 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N tip t b~, t1~ ~ t~ ""r +'r ~v. ~~~f }i 5 3 ~ go ` ~I b t c U'~' - 1~~ yl ~_1~:~~ %yiS1SS =il ~ m y.~f •~t y~ j u 1~'t 1 _ _ 1~`' l Q ' 1 t: •e t '*'i. t~ a tt Pq ~ x ~ •t ; Ott e % 'f r ~i CeK 8 •ti) R~~ t n~ Li .t. ~ ~9~` S ' 4 ~~~99, `t R ~e ~t`S ~ y d ` ae3 a rg '~F ~ } Y ~ ~L ~ ~~1 d ~,y :F jP7 t~~ ce 7y •.s t~u sty y $ rJ'~S ' L „r y n ; =8 Mi' ~ R?± p$$.J y 4 t RY: _ ` 5 ~ Vm 6~ ~ ~94 ~ ~ /`~/J + Y v ~ ~eS i ..yy d - ;tit ..~1'^ - Seamount Enterprises LLC Registered to do business to Hawalt as Ka'awaloa Orchards P.O. Box 339 Telephones (808) Captain Cook, 323-2933, 936-4808 Hawaii 96704 Fax (808) 325-1441 Eric Curtis owner TMK 8-1-09-31 Dear Eric, 8-7-97 This is to confirm our conversation yesterday evening. The Planning Director's conditions for the proposed A.P.D. require and Seamount will comply with: 1) a drainage study and "drainage requirements if required meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works". 2) the proposed road shall comply with "the applicable grading, driveway, drainage and roadway standards of the Department of Public Works". I appreciate your undertaking to chair the proposed roadway management Limited Liability Company, which I believe is in everyone's mutual interest. As chairperson, I think it would be appropriate for you to review the draft engineering plans of Leo Fleming P . E . , and work with the contractor during implementation to see that all reasonable steps are taken to mitigate any impacts on the easement area. Yours incerely i Seamount Enterprises LLC by its Manager Christopher Norrie cc. Planning Department ~ 3~ ALL Q 1 1~ i~`v~ t7 tt''c~nJk~~ ~--.~~-,1- t~'{\11.~'L i "N t~,L`1~, ~t'~ E~ Lam Ford, surrounding property owner, not against the development but did have very serious concerns about the road, difficulty geriag on Napoopoo Road from that road, especially if there's anv t: affic. If several people get together and have to stop at the stop sign and [hen get onto Napoopoo Road then it's very difficult with speeding that goes on down there. I['s 25 mph but we see few people going that speed. If there's a way of controlling that traffic a little bit better that it would be safer for children along that private road. He knows putting 15 mph speed limit would notify responsible people that drive un and down there but there's no enforcement of speed limit and he did not know what could be done about it. There are children who play on that road and he's concerned about them. Drainage problems along the road but Sally Rice said there was ways they will mitigate problem along that road. Five homes on that narrow road and now opening uo to at least 6 more homes which will be quite a bit of traffic and what he is concerned about is there are other lands that aze owned by the same Corporation and if they want to open it up later he was concerned about the traffic that will be on that road. It's steep road and dif&cult to get from that road to Napoopoo Road and just coace_'rted, you can't see up and down road very easily when you pull out and it's going to be even more dangerous with more people. He said if Kaawaloa Road were to be developed it would take a lot of the pressure off this particulaz road. So his concerns primarily are any future developments and the unknown restrictions also on the new homes. They have some very voluminous restrictions on homes existing now and he hasn't seen anv For the other homes. He hopes it will be at least as strict. He had to get approval from a majority of other landowners before he could build his house. So he felt it was reasonable that that restriction still applies even to these new ones. So, again, he is not opposed to development at all but just very concerned about safety along that road and the children and ingress and egress from Napoopoo Road. ~ i~~s ~e~ Sesmount Enterprises LLC N~qN to do 6u,or w Hs~~u v Ka'awaloa Orchards P.O. Box 339, Captain Cook HI 96704 The Owners of Lots 4S - 7B: Curtis, Ford, Freivalds-Allen, Lievens TMK's 8-~-09-16, 3D, 31, Q 32 Hand Delivery Ae: Agricultural Prc;ect District tRE2 67-9y Dear Neighbors, August 25, !997 Since our various discussions last week, we have continued our. pracL_cal and legal research as how to best address your cercerns about limiting the speed en the private road to the proposed 15 m.p.h. in the future. we previously circulated to each of you the letter of Leo I. Fleming, Professional Engineer, dated June 3, 199'1 {copy attached) in which he states that he will ,4p,~ include °speed bumps"' on his drawings for reasons of professional liability, and because it is not the County's present policy to approve subdivision roads with speed bumps. E'or these reasons and the substantial risk of litiga*_icn, Seamount is not willing to install ^speed bumps". The following two alternatives are proposed: 11 We appreciate that a11. of you seem agreeable to ~oininq the Limited Liability Company proposed Go maintain and control the private road, and particularly Eric Curtis' willingness to chair the formation of this "Road Company" (a3 per our discussions and letter of 8-7-97). All the t+resent lot owners must join for the LAC to functicn. Once the proposed road extension is comgleted by Seamount, signed off by the County and the entire private road turned over to the Road Company, the Road Company has the disczetion to do whatever it thinks prudent and necessary. This would include the installation of "speed bumps" which were professionally engineered and properly installed. We understand that the Public Norks Committee of the County Council will shortly consider the adoption of engineering standards-for speed bumps. The final adoption of a "County Standard Speed Bump Qrdinaace" would be extremely helpful to the Aoad Company. Using the "County Standard" would remove the question of "proper engineering" which is a major issue of liability tc *_he Road Company and to the individual lot owner on whose land "speed bumps" might be located. 2) Our engineer is willing to include in his subdivision improvemer_ts drawings and Seamount is willing to install arrays of "ceramic pavement buttons° approved by the County and the State Department of Transportation, samples of which are provided in white and yellcw. Hundreds o£ these four inch ceramic discs would be 6iued to the finished zoadway with a special epoxy in "arrays" several feet wide. They are specifically designed to reduce speed and bring drivers attentior, to changing conditions- Froperly located arrays of these "ceramic pavement buttons" will warn the public that they are entering a private roadway and remind residents of the posted 15 m.p.h. speed, without causing any potential hazard or liability. This alternative should be given a fair trial as it may, aicng with co~nunity resolve, prove entirely satisfactory. This would not preclude latex action by the Road Company. If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Sally Rice by telephone at 325-5550. Yours Sincerely, S Seamoun~C~erprises LLC by, Sa11y Rice, Vice President cc. Virginia Goldstein, Planning Director ?CTRL P.2~ ;ep-07-97 12:50 S.P Inc_ 50t. 988 53fi0 P.03 Seamount Enterprises LLC :<P;(1CR`r l'a1 Ire ,lu nU<10 ~c•, ul ~ILr.roall ;A:. Ka'a~-valoa Urr.hards I'. f. lice .i,;v Ictic~(thcn~l~ti Ifill}i) (.u~~tuin t:~x>L. ;!~-5>>i l '):cl-~tiU;; II~lwaii `)C17U~ I u~ t?il I,ti I 'S-I ~-ll Eric Curtis (by fax) Larry & Brenda Ford Gunnar Freivalds & Barbara Allen Andrea & Brian Lievens (by fax) Dear Neighbors: September 5, 1997 Thank you all for the support that you have expressed to me for the project in general. I also appreciate your willingness to take the time to address the details regarding the roadway. On September, 3, 1997, I met separately and at length with Gunnar Freivalds & Barbara A11en, Larry Ford Brian Lievens and Eric Curtis. Please find below for your further consideration the issues discussed: 1) Sighting Distance at the Napo' opo' o intersection: As stated by Larry Ford at the Planning Commission, this has been an acute problem. we are confident that the County's enforcement of Section 22 of the HCC as per our request dated August 29, 1997 will solve this problem. 2) Arrays of ceramic pavement dots: This is the only present legal means of physical speed control. I think that we should try these at the top of the road about twenty feet in from the entry in conjunction with some very graphic signage including: Private Road, Children at Play, Speed Limit strictly enforced by residents. I look forward to your views on this matter . 3) Speed Humps: As per our letter of August 25, 1997, and Leo Flemings letter of June 3, 1997, neither Fleming, the the County, nor Seamount will assume the liability of installing speed humps at this time. However, once the road improvements are finished and the control of the road Sap-07-97 12:50 S. P. Inc. 50b 988 5360 P.04 handed over to the new Limited Liability Company, Seamount will abstain from any vote which calls for the installation of properly engineered and County approved speed humps. The County Council has already voted to adopt a speed hump ordinance. It is now up to the Department of Public works to hold public hearings on the exact engineering standard. This is just a matter of time. 4) Dips: I had a further conversation with Leo Fleming, and he will use dips i£ the are necessary for drainage purposes. However, he will not use them where their intent is speed control because that would leave him open to professional liability. 5) Drainage: It is a condition of the ordinance that a drainage study be undertakell. Leo Fleming will undertake this as apart of his road design. 6} Improvement of the existing road: The existing road was made with #3 asphalt which is rough and usually used as an underbake. It has much better traction and has not noticeably deteriorated in the past ten years . My view is that it would be counter productive to put a finish coat of #1 asphalt on top. I do, however, think that the erigCs and shoulders need some attention and that stop lines, ref lectors and revised siynage may be in order at the Napo'opo'o intersection. 7) Sight distance setback on the private road: The County has mandated that 15 foot setbacks be preserved on each side of the proposed 20 feet of grading. A portion of this must be preserved as a sighting zone with low grass or foliage. Blind driveways and bushes on the road from which children can emerge without warning arc dangerous. I look forward to receiving your views on this matter. 8) Seamount has agreed that if the project is approved in its present form and onoe the Subdivision is complete that it will relinquish its rights to further widen the road and will therefore not use the road as a basis for any further rezonings makai_ It is Seamount's intention to give these road widening rights to the Limited Liability Company. 9) The present Roadway Uee and Maintenance Agreement to which Lievens, Ford, Frievalds-A11en, Curtis, Seamount sad Norrie are all party is a covenant of record. It should • . Scp-07-97 12:50 S.P.S. Inc. 50F 988 5360 P.O5 be superseded with a new instrument of record which vests the expansion rights in the LLC and obligates all lot owners to join the LLC and pay dues for the support of the LLC and the road. 10) Operation of the LLC : The advantage of the LLC is that under Hawaii Law if there is a separate entity in which control of a road has been wasted it is liable rather than the landowner over whose land a portion of the road happens to cross. There are many technical questions in forming an LLC such as voting rights. I recommend that any substantial change should require a super majority such as 75a. I would appreciate your views on thia and other management issues. 11) Costs and assessments: It is proposed that each person or entity would have one vote and be obligated to pay road maintenance for each lot or lots in single ownership and based on the proportion of the distance of the road used. The costs of setting up the Road Maintenance Company would be born by Seamount. 12) Implementation: Once again I appreciate Eric's undertaking to chair the formation committee. I trust that you understand that it is more practical for a single person to work on the legal drafting and engineering plans. He will of course report back to you and express the views o£ the group. Eric has the longest practical experienoe of living at Ka' ewaloa and a good grasp of the legal issues. we have not always seen eye to eye but can work together efficiently. I look forward to progressing these discussions so that the details of these issues and any related concerns you may have can be agreed in a manner acceptable to everyone. Beat R gards, V ~ Christopher Norrie Manager, Seamount Enterprises LLC cc. Sa11y Rice Leo Fleming S F: Y1-11-97 14:05 S.P.S. Inc. 50F 988 5360 P•02 _ u 4 1 I September 5, t897 i Searnaxtt F_nterpriset LLC P.~. Box 339 Captain Cook HI 98704 Ra: Apncultural Projed District Application TMK (3) 6.1.09:18.19 and 21 and portions or (3) 8- 1.09 70. 22. 23 and 24. Ka'awaloa, South Kona. Hawaii Attention- ChristopMr Noma, Pres+dent Mr. Norris' Thank you for meeting with me on September 3. 1997 to discuss concerns the neighborz from lots 4B SB. 8B, and 76 have about the new subdivision below u: As we diacusced, soil erosion, abrasion of the edge of the prvate road, the safety of going from our phvete road onto Napo'opo'o Road, safety on the private road, the number of familiar uainp the private road use and maintenance of the private road, conditions, covenants and restrictions on the new subdivision and pig control are the main concerns of the neighbors. You stated that a County Council member is requiring a study by the County of water runoff control along the prnrata road. Tne County will detennlne what control mcasUrea must be taken to avoid damage due to uncontrolled n,nott antl will determine the specifications of any i measures that will De required. When you widen the lower part of the private road, you offered to repair any damage to the edges of the existing road and put a 2 foot witlo gravel athp on bath silos of the road. Wa glady accept your offer You told Brenda some time ago that H she felt that the road needed to Ita resurfaced, you would ne glad to da it Brenda doe! feel that the road rter;dS to De resurfaced. 9renda found out that the number 3 mix can be used to pave over a number 3 mix if a tacky layer is laid down first. Sha got this information from Dan of Bolton Asphalt in Kailua (telephone number 329.8240). You said that you are going to provrde a backhoe antl trtJCk tar Bean to remove enough vegetation along Napo'opo'o Roatl that anyone waiting on the private road to go on to Napo'Cpo'o Raad could wa far enough to he able tb gat on to Napo'opo'o R08d safely. Brian said tnat he would accept your offer. ' You and I diseussed putting a sign on Napo'opo'o Road uphill from the private road that would announce 'Caution•Emerging Traftie' or some other suitabte'pltrasinp. The upper lot neighbors had a rtWetinq in the evening on 9.3-97 and one suggestion On lately at the Napo'opo'o Road and the private road was t0 instal! a paved right turn lane on NepO'opo'o Road going into the private road together with no parking signs along the npht tom lane. Such a Idne would enhanrR Safety for tfaffic taming around at the private road and for vehicles, especially slow vehicles turrtiny in t0 the privatA road. What are your thoughts on This? Sap-11-97 14:05 5_P.S. Inc_ u50 988 5360 P_03 p- 1 You agreed to put signs along the pnvate road. Signs that read 'SIOw-Chittlren At Play-75 MPH" would be a0roeeble. You do not want to put in speed Dumps due to the liability Involved, but will fund a limited liability company that wuld put to speed bumps after the subdivision rs wmpteted it a majority of the people In the company want aplrted bumps at that time. You do not want to put in water control channels auoss the private road. If the channels were covered with grating, would you consider them? Yqu offered to put a gate across the privste road to slow Ireffic down same and create a 'gated community'. Ths upper qt neighbors would not vbjt:ct to a Hate below their bts u you want to put one in. Some of us have seen pates that are solar powered. remote contrdled and have a pass code that can the input Dy guests. This type wowd cause the feast disruption ¦nd require Mte least attention. The neighbors ors concerned that there I:OUid Ds further development in addition to the present requested subdivision that Could increase traffic on tt a road to undesired levels. You stated that you would give tree access nghts to the private road end the attendant easements (tM ful! 50 ieeQ to tae limited liability company. The neighbors approciaa your giving the easements tq the company, You agrood That as soon as tho conditions, covenants and restrictions have bean tleveigped for the new subdivision you wowd seno me a copy. ~ We discussed you raadivating the pig fence to keep any pigs out of the neighborhood. How is that progrosaing7 ' ' ' We approeinte your positive responses to our concerns. Wteastl let me know [hat your understartdrng of our alscussion is ma same as mires. Sincerely, f ~ I 131$795 Nepo'op0'o Road Captain Cook, HI 9t370~ ~.i - - _ a . ~ Seamvunt Enterprises I_:LG Operations (d b. e.) ,~Gministratinn Ka'awaloa Orchards &4 i Bellevue PIE :"s 08 KOA Fn:it, P.O. Box 339 Seat*.le, W.4 ?8 i02 Capta~.n C'xk. Hl 9ti'04 1'`e . (~06) 323-0653 (8C8;~ 33;-?9:,i Fay. (~G6) .i?5-5855 =arr1 Ford 1-135 N~~o' oz=c' o F.d. C=.tit in CooF ii? uc: C= _ r7p^FCi dt°_ '_iOi:'_` '`_d~{i"1a' tPG ~~.1'.E -~~12 t°_LF?FiIiO^a C_'!_.. P.n7ritlIIj .G ~1:3C.1a5. .rs de'~~ d1_.~ ~.lt. pot^t° cort~a_r:ed in ;our _eti,er of 9--_:.9-9' . I _^.rU _~,='.J3ru LG T^~eL'_P_y^ W1t_~ :v'J_i E:___C `:.il:'t1S aPd C•l:r PI:J_ne'~'_" Leo ~ _a~ i rlg i rl l c': p i7',:;'.717E'.r tO fllrtFicr L'•rilriC ti''. ivG~~W3}~ C:?S i':a i1 dei. C'. ~ $ '_I~iC yrG'an~~. enc'_GSe a copy o` any fetter 13ria_i Lievens :rr!-=-~ cieariy atrt~s wn~r Seamo.,: t :•rr..u:_d nor_ be pa~'y tO a`t'y'tI11P_CJ Gam}'!°_'_' t`;oCl 3 "iCMtc^._I_~c~tP.~ C:OP.1Di.ett? ci<C: p?i•In?.^~?I1C reinG Jal C_ P'_~ ~::':~C.'_:;)<i '.=i?^:~nt i!"OI'1 County lands. Bes = i,~~ards, U^~~ Chris~opher N;;rrie :_C. .~8.i._~ Co ' ' ! P,i F,ri.C ..:Tr i y