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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0619.016 1998-2000 BENJAMIN J. CAYETANO eo: ~ ~p6 t^TO T~n'6,~ GOVERNOR o E/~,eev., % G ~3 y i ! ~ ~.M ama a®'~ 1959 0n..ua Zt~O~ STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT/~TIONj KAZU HAYASHIDA 869 PUNCHBOWL STREET ~ ~ - ' ~ owecroa HONOLULU, HAWAII96813-5097 oeaurv oiaECroas BRIAN K. MINAAI GLENN M. OKIMOTO ~~Il !I i IN REPLV REFER TO: HWY-PS 2.9583 The Honorable James Y. Arakaki Chair Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Chair Arakaki: Subject: Proposed Change of Zone -Bill No. 195, W. H. Shipman, Limited TMK: 1-6-003: Por. 007 This is to follow up, with respect to the public hearing conducted on March 22, 2000 at the Keaau Community Center, on W. H. Shipman, Limited's (Shipman) proposed change of zone application for its Keaau Gateway Center. At that time, we indicated that we would provide you with our comments and recommendations with respect to the proposed change of zone for the Keaau Gateway Center. We apologize the for delay in our response. However, before we addressed the specific concerns, we wanted to be sure we had the appropriate background information. Accordingly, we have requested that Shipman update its Traffic Impact Analysis Report (TIAR) for its proposed development to: • Include the projected traffic generated by the Kamehameha School's proposed a ~ Keaau campus as part of the background traffic generation. z • • o Use the revised Capacity Analysis Methodology that was adopted subsequent to ~ ~ ~ the completion of the initial TIAR. ~ Include an evaluation of existing traffic conditions at the recently opened Keaau- O Pahoa Road, Keaau Bypass and Volcano highway, including updated traffic N r COllntS. 0 We have recently received a copy of the addendum to the TIAR and are therefore able to provide you with our comments and recommendations on the proposed project. The Honorable James Y. Arakaki HWY-PS 2.9583 Page 2 If is our understanding that the project area is designated for urban expansion by the County Hawaii General Plan and has been classified as "urban" by the State Land Use Commission. Therefore, the proposed use is in accordance with the County and State's land use plans for this region. Based on the public hearing, the key question you have asked us to address was whether or not the proposed project should be allowed to widen Road A to allow left turn and through movements at its intersection with volcano Highway (Highway 1 1) and the Keaau Bypass. In reviewing the TIAR addendum, we concur with the finding that the development of the project area will have minimal impact on the overall transportation network provided the recommendations of the TIAR are followed. For your information, the TIAR addendum indicates that this intersection will operate at Level of Service (LOS) C at full buildout. LOS C is a satisfactory level of service and indicates stable flow conditions. Accordingly, we have no objections to the widening of Road A to allow full movements at its intersection with Volcano Highway across from the Keaau Bypass terminus provided the following conditions are complied with: 1. A channelized intersection at the junction of Road A/Keaau Bypass/Volcano Highway must be designed to accommodate year 2008 traffic, taking into account the proposed Kamehameha School. The channelized intersection must include, but not be limited to the following: a. Aright turn deceleration lane on southbound Volcano Highway to Road A; b. a left turn deceleration lane on northbound Volcano Highway to Road A; c. a through-only lane to Road A from Keaau Bypass; d. separate left turn lane on Road A to northbound Volcano highway; right turn lane on eastbound Road A to southbound Volcano Highway; and a through lane to Keaau Bypass; e. changes to the traffic signal, if needed; and f. curve radii that accommodate WB 50 vehicles. 2. All improvements must comply with current State design requirements and must be planned, designed and constructed at no cost to the State. The Honorable James Y. Arakaki HWY-PS 2.9583 Page 3 ljUi3 ; , G~ 3. Since Volcano Highway is included in the "Bike Plan Hawaii" for a Priority 1 bike route from Kanoelehua Avenue to the Keaau-Pahoa Road, the development would be designed to accommodate the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians, including parking and bicycle racks. 4. Drainage ways in the project area must be shown on the site plan. A drainage report must be submitted for our review and approval prior to subdivision of the subject 32-acre site. Storm water created by the development shall be managed on site. No additional storm water runoff will be permitted on the State highway right-of--way. 5. All plans for construction with or connecting to the State highway right-of--way must be submitted for review and approval by DOT. For your information, we also believe that the proposed right-in movement from Volcano Highway to proposed Lot B and the right-in/right-out movement to Volcano Highway from proposed Lot C will improve the overall circulation pattern in the area. This will allow traffic within the project area to completely bypass the Road A/Keaau Bypass/Volcano Highway intersection as appropriate. We understand that the County Council is considering limiting use of the proposed Road A to right-in/right-out movements only at its intersection with Volcano Highway. If this occurs, the project area and surrounding lands will be accessed from interior roads connecting with the Kipimana StreeUVolcano Highway intersection and the Keaau-Pahoa Road/Volcano Highway intersection. While this solution may provide some short term lessening of traffic impact in the region, we don't believe it will be the best long term solution. Should this occur, Kipimana Street will necessarily become a major intersection to the Shipman Business Park and the surrounding areas between the Shipman Business park and the Keaau- Pahoa Road intersection. Traffic movements into and out of this intersection will necessitate stopping of 100% of the traffic. If the same area is accessed From the Road A/Keaau Bypass/Volcano Highway intersection, the northbound traffic on Keaau Bypass to Volcano Highway can continue to be in a free flow situation at all times. Consequently, the overall impact to the region will likely be lessened. Clearly, we encourage interconnection between the subject area of the change of zone application and the Shipman Business Park and the Keaau-Pahoa Road. At the same time, we have concerns about any limitations on the design of intersections in this location. The Honorable James Y. Arakaki HWY-PS 2.9583 Page 4 HUG I iUUu Please be informed that while we do not have any objections to the improvement of the Road A intersection with Volcano Highway to a full movement intersection, this improvement will require a widened "access permitted" to Highway 11. A request for a change of access is under review by State Highways Right-of--Way Branch and will be subject to appropriate conditions and access restrictions along the subject property fronting Volcano Highway. if you have any questions, you may contact Ronald F. Tsuzuki, Head Planning Engineer, Highways Division, at 587-1830. Very trlIu~~l~y yours, VV\~~ KAZU HAYASHIDA Director of Transportation c: Virginia Goldstein, Hawaii County Planning Department Director Robert Saunders, W. H. Shipman, Limited