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Kam, TR,.~F~~ ~E~ Co~E <br /> TESTIMONY <br /> Of The <br /> Kona Traffic Safety Committee <br /> Presented By <br /> JOEL GIMPEL <br /> Chair, Public Affairs <br /> 73886 Hina Lani St. <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> Before the <br /> HAWAII COUNTY PLANNING COMMITTEE <br /> Regarding <br /> Bill 787 -Seascape Development <br /> Change of Zone (REZ 07-000084) <br /> October 78, 2007 <br /> <br /> Aloha. Earlier this year, the Kona Traffic Safety Committee submitted written comments to Mr. <br /> <br /> Yuen and testified before the Planning Commission regarding this application for rezoning to RM- <br /> 1 in order to pennR devebpmerrt of a 306-unit affordable rental complex, a singlestory office <br /> building and a 1+ acre recreation area, and those comments should be part of your record. In the <br /> interest of time, I'll review the highlights of those comments today. I should note that although we <br /> appreciate the desirability of providing affordable rental units in the Kona District, and are pleased <br /> with the mixed-use element and recreational area setaside, we have several concerns regarding <br /> safety and traffic issues that merit your consideration and should be addressed. <br /> 1. Single Access <br /> A single access route for 360 residential units is unconscionable because it creates an <br /> unnecessary danger to residents and visitors in the event evacuation or emergency vehicle <br /> access is required. It certainly violates the intent if not the letter of Section 23~8(a) of the County <br /> Code, so we urge that you require a second access route as a condition of rezoning and <br /> occupancy. Failing to do so could result in liability for the county and its taxpayers. <br /> 2. Parkin <br /> Although the number of parking spaces specfied in the application ("more than 460") might satisfy <br /> the current Code requirements, those requirements are woefully inadequate - a situation that the <br /> County Council is now addressing in Bill 79. We believe (and Bill 79 would require) that multi <br /> family residences, and especially those with oneand two-bedroom apartments, should have at <br /> least 2 Ys spaces per unit plus space for guests and delivery vehicles. Because we believe that <br /> the requirements specified in Bill 79 are appropriate, we urge that you require at least 774 spaces <br /> Comm. No" ~ .3 <br /> Ref. To: <br /> Raf. Dote -OCT 1 <br /> <br />