HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0176.044 2006-2008 Parker~Ranch
eet. 1847
May 1S, 200
The Honorable Brenda Ford, Chair
Committee on Public Works & Intergovernmental Affairs
Hawaii County Council
Councilroom
Ben Franklin Building, 2°d Floor
333 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, HI 9620
Dear Chair Ford:
RE: Bill 5i, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2'], Flood Control,
Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), as Amended,
Relating to Stormwater Management
My name is Riley W. Smith, licensed professional engineer, former Deputy Chief
Engineer of the Department of Public Works (1993 to 1995) and former State President
of the Hawaii Society of Professional Engineers (2004). I am speaking on behalf of my
employer, Parker Ranch, Inc.
My concerns with the current version of Bi11 S1, is that although it was originally
intended as a "housekeeping" effort, its scope has been broadened to its current state. It
has over stepped its purpose and has the following problems:
• Conflicts with existing law and rules;
• Technical requirements based on ambiguous and undefined terms;
• Pru~.'?~t*al inaccuracies;
• Arbitrary design standards that are much more restrictive-than EPA
requirements; and
• Detrimental impacts to land use and development cost
In its current form, it is likely that it will result in extensive additional development costs
for new housing developments, including affordable housing, that will be passed on and
result in price increases too high for most Hawaii County residents. This is especially
true for those who are first-time home buyers.
A case in point is the Waimea Town Center, or Parker 202o project (as envisioned by
former Ranch owner, Richard Smart). In 1995, Parker Ranch contracted for the design
and construction to redirect both Kamuela and Lanimaumau Streams. These waterways
were FEMA designated flood zones and appeared on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
They impacted the North Hawaii Community Hospital site, as well as portions of Parker
Ranch Center and Pukalani Road. Federal requirements dictated that aloo-year flood
recurrence interval be followed for this Soo-acre drainage basin. Based on the
magnitude of a storm that could be expected once every loo years, a peak flow of 1Soo
cfs was calculated. This flow required that a trapezoidal, earth-lined drain channel be
Cnnctnirtarl.~t Wa,5.2.~' '12]IjP. i~+~ at an avafg'_-. ~lEd1Sa1Z1
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Ref. Yo,
Ref, Date ~ '
October 27, 2005
Page 2
channel was two miles long and terminated in one three acre and two twenty acre
retention basins.
This drainage improvement cost $4.5 million. Its cost is spread over the expected X30
residential units within this project. The allocated cost per unit is $6,zoo. In other
words, each unit within this development is "charged with" this amount to address
offsite drainage infrastructure. Remember, this is in an area that receives about 30" rain
per year! Also, the ground slope in this area is only about t% - z%, with deep soil ground
conditions. So, the land characteristics are very conducive to an economic and cost
effective drainage design. In its tz years of existence, water flow in the drain channel has
never exceeded 3" in depth (for an 8' deep channel) and water has never reached either
of the two 20 acre retention basins. I have attached a few photos, to show you what this
drain channel and retention basins look like.
In addition, the requirement to address the too-year storm has been expanded beyond
the modification of FEMA designated flood zones and is proposed to also apply to the
alteration of any water course.
Can you imagine what impacts these proposed requirements would have on the planned
Waikoloa Workforce/Unidev Housing project in Waikoloa? That drainage basin is
probably zo,ooo to 30,000 acres, as it starts at the summit of Mauna Kea and fans in the
Westerly direction towards Waikoloa Village. The cost to contain all rainfall from atoo-
year storm would be astronomic!
We ask that you and your colleagues on the Council revise Bi115r back to its original
intent and content as presented by the Hawaii County Department of Public Works.
Sincerely,
/ ,~j .
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1
Riley W. Smith, P.E. (#4959)
Vice President
Land & Asset Management
Attachments: Photos
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Drain Channel by Waimea Fire/Police Stations
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Drain Channel: 25' wide, 3:i side slopes, 8' water depth
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Lanimaumau Stream Diversion/Energy Dissipator
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Deep section of channel: 35' deep, 235' wide at top
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Looking north towards State Civic Center and North Hawaii Community Hospital
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3-acre Retention Basin by Pukalani Stables
'I~vo 20-acre Retention Basins by Parker Ranch Arena
Retention basin berm height is i5'
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One 4o-acre Retention Basin by Parker Ranch Arena