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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0362.006 2004-2006 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura From: Bob Ward [rgward007@hawaii rr.com] i ~ ~.,~I i? ~~I Sent: Monday, September 05, 2005 1:41 PM ` To: counciltestimony@co hawaii.hi us Subject: Planning Committee - 09/07/05 Aloha, Please distribute the attached written testimony to the Planning Committee for the September 7, 2005 meeting. Mahalo, Robert Ward Comm. N[o~.l.~ '~M~y 2~f. 70: J~yl' aro is >f. ' 9/6/2005 PLANNING COMMITTE Hawaii County Council September 5, 2005 Written Testimony: Prepared by: Bill 123 Robert Ward TMK 7-5-009-023 77-6526 Ho'olaupa'i KPC Villages, LLC Kailua Kona Increasing the allowable residential density by more than 33 percent and permitting commercial and retail operations in the proposed development may be suitable for the area, but only if critically needed infrastructure precedes construction. There are three crucial road improvements that should be required: FIRST: The most vital road improvement is the completion of a new connector road in Pua'a extending from Kuakini Highway along the south property line of the development with a roundabout on Ali'i Drive. This connector road is absolutely necessary because it will provide: 1. Vital access to the development site to avoid an adverse impact on Ali'i Drive during construction of the development. 2. Permanent by-pass around the Ali'i Drive tourist area, enhancing safety and taking advantage of the County's investment in Kuakini Highway. 3. A critical emergency route for police, fire, and medical services that would be otherwise be delayed on Ali'i Drive. 4. A vital evacuation route from ahigh-density area that experiences routine congestion. 5. A detour that will expedite the construction improvements contemplated for the Oneo Bay project. A compact urban roundabout will provide several benefits: 1. Facilitate the use of "right-in/right-out" and "no left turn" accesses along Ali'i Drive to improve traffic flow. 2. Provide a significantly safer environment for pedestrians crossing the street (since they cross behind vehicles preparing to turn). 3. Act as a traffic calming devise that that does not impede traffic flow while forcing drivers to maintain a safe speed. 4. Improves Level of Service at intersections since delays are reduced by not requiting all vehicles to stop unnecessarily. 5. Would work in conjunction with a second compact urban roundabout at the intersection with Hualalai Road and Ali'i Drive. To be absolutely sure that this connection will be completed before construction commences on the development it will be necessary for the developer to share in the financial commitment. This must be considered anytime that the existing infrastructure can not safely support the combination of the current population and the new development. There are a couple of ways that this can easily be accomplished without the developer baring the entire financial obligation. Enterprise Funding: The County partners with the Developer by forgiving property tax obligations for up to10 years on the improvements. This permits the developer to finance the road construction through a combination of improved cash flow on rental operations and higher selling prices that the purchasers offset with no tax payments. This method frees the County to allocate funding and pursue other areas of infrastructure deficiencies where partnerships are not available. The County, developer and purchasers share the cost and the benefits, but most importantly, the road will be built! Turnkev base: The developer provides the County with a complete right-of-way ready for construction of the connecting road. The Developer provides the County with the approvals, EA or EIS, design plans, deeds and bid documents. The County assists with its power of eminent domain and engineering expertise, then uses it's allocated $1.5million to complete construction. If the developer only provides the County with a triangular scrap of land, there is no assurance that the road will be built. The Developer must deliver all of these elements, to insure that the road will be built! SECOND: The timing for the Transportation Enhancement (TE) project for Oneo Bay must be addressed. The TE project may not be the most critical element to mitigate the safety and capacity issues created by the development. However, the development should not proceed until the TE project is operationally complete. Simultaneous construction would place an unnecessary burden on an already over-stressed Ali'i Drive. The Developer's financial obligation to the TE project fronting Oneo Bay should be limited. It would be reasonable to confine the developer's fiscal participation to the portion that fronts the development. THIRD: The proposed development has the potential to eliminate several parking spaces used by the public. It can be beneficial to eliminate the on street parking along Ali' Drive to improve the safety and access of pedestrians and cyclists. The need to address the reduction in parking remains. The developer should provide additional parking in the development or off site in the vicinity. Mahalo for your consideration, Robert Ward