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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0411.001 2012-2014'PI PO �LV L 122 �(0M 41i Date: September 13, 2013 (Hand Deliver) Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 °—, wn WRITTEN PUBLIC TESTIMONY REZONING APPLICATION; REZ 13- 000166 University of Hawaii at Hilo C TMK: 2 -4 -001: 005, por. of 007, 041, 162, 163, 167 and 2 -4 -056: 017 Both Kawili Street and Komohana Street are major arterials that runs through the City of Hilo, which will one day become four lane highways, or even five lane highways, if you count the left - turn middle lane; and possibly wider if you add -in bicycle lanes. So why would you want to develop and place the same University of Hawai `i (UH) system on opposite sides of these main thoroughfares? Isn't it bad enough that most, if not all, of our public schools are located next to the busiest roads in our towns /cities? Do we have major traffic problems in these areas? This opposition is not only for safety reasons, but for the delays in traffic, as well as the effects on our environment. Where are our sound planning and engineering decisions, for the future of this aina? As it is right now, who has not experience the unnecessary delays that are presently happening at the Komohana Street – Nowelo Street intersection traffic signal? Particularly on the off -peak and weekend hours, when only one vehicle or pedestrian is crossing, from the side road (Nowelo Street); stops and delays the whole line of vehicles on the main ( Komohana Street) road? This is an unnecessary delay, and it also compounds to the stopped vehicles' noise and air pollution. In addition, the irritation and impatience of motorists that this creates, and the unnecessary consumption of fuel and the wear on their vehicles; while waiting for only one vehicle to turn out. Have you also experienced the traffic signal delays at the main entrance to the UH, intersecting with Kawili Street? Who has not experienced a student crossing Kawili Street, in the crosswalk, going to their illegally parked car? Perpendicular parking is illegal, and can and should be ticketed. This problem is also prevalent on Lanikaula Street. This condition will get worst with the new student housing Hale `Alahonua. The present traffic (automobiles and pedestrian) circulation and onstreet parking does not mix well with these roadways; and will get worst. Safety, delays and pollution are concerns here. Comm. No. Ref. To: Ref. Date Ltr. to Hawaii County Council September 13, 2013 Page 2 of 2 How long is this crosswalk (5- lanes, plus 2- bicycle lanes)? How much time does it take for this walk signal to delay the main Kawili Street motorist? How long does it take for the student to cross the wide road and clear the crosswalk timing? Did you notice all of the stopped vehicles waiting, while the student has already cleared the crosswalk and already approached their car or cleared the street crossing; also to mention the J- walking that also occurs and creates a whole set of different problems. Thus, once again, causing all the residual effects that goes along with the main street vehicles being delayed. This is the same scenario that we will experience on Komohana Street if we are not thorough in our planning evaluations or permitted uses; you can be sure of this. • Are traffic study reports being done at these intersections before the traffic signals are installed? The government is required to have a study done and check for the "Warrants ". Similar to any installation of a traffic signal or an all -way stop (4 -way stop). An all -way stop is normally installed as an interim measure before a warranted traffic signal is installed. Without the proper warrants, a traffic signal, and therefore an all -way stop, should not be installed. Was a traffic study done at the intersection of Puainako Street and Ohuohu Street? Seems to me that this is another intersection that does not warrant an all -way stop. Do you feel the unnecessary delays; particularly when no one else is there? Do you come to a complete stop when no one else is there, or do you ask yourself "why am I stopping here when no one else is around ?" If these traffic measures are not warranted or supported with a study, can whoever installed them lose a challenging lawsuit? In the future, you are probably going to want to slow down the traffic, for safety reasons; then the problem becomes worst for the delays and our environment. Will you reduce the speed limit to 25 mph, for a school zone, to correct a planning error; on a main thoroughfare? Can you imagine driving this main thoroughfare at 25 mph? Put a stop to bad planning and start planning smarter.