HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0868.004 2018-2020 iCl I57
Mon 4/20/2020 10:57 AM
Testimony in support of Bill 158 (Apr. 22nd Agenda) `y
To: Council Testimony
Aloha.
I am writing in support of Bill 158, introduced by District 5 Councilmember Matt Kaneali`i-
Kleinfelder. I am a resident of Orchidland Estates, and also a member of the Board of Directors
and the Road Management Committee. I feel that this bill advances the County's stated interest
in connecting subdivisions and begins to address the untenable demands being placed on private
subdivisions.
Orchidland Estates has directly felt the impacts of our subdivision being used as a 'through-way'
and as a de-facto emergency access route. When a traffic accident blocks Highway 130, HPD
route Hilo-bound traffic through Pohalcu Dr. to 40th Avenue to get to Highway 11. When
intersection improvements cause traffic backups on Ainaloa Blvd, motorists detour onto Ilima
Dr. or Aulii Dr. using 34th, 35th, 35th, or 37th.
This outside traffic on our private road system stresses our limited, road maintenance budget. It
reasonable to ask that the County recognize the larger community's use of certain private private
roads, and take some responsibility for the maintenance and repair of those roads.
In the County's 2018 Multi-Modal Transportation Plan, expected growth in the Hawaiian
Paradise Park-Orchidland area is expected to be 171% in the next 20 years. It also states an
objective to upgrade roads to support community routes serving large residential
areas. Specifically, Route 402 is envisioned, transiting major roads in the private Hawaiian
Acres, Orchidland Estates, and Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivisions. 40th Avenue, which is on
that route,would need significant improvements to support that usage, and it is unfair to expect a
private subdivision to have to bear those community-level costs by itself.
I believe that Bill 158 is a necessary first step towards fulfilling the county's commitment to
providing safe routes to school and work, interconnectivity between large subdivisions, and
needed emergency access routes. We in Orchidland like being able to provide necessary access
through our subdivision, but ask that the County Council recognize the unfairness of
putting all of the maintenance costs these publicly used roads onto our shoulders, and consider
appropriate cost-sharing measures. Please support this bill.
Mahalo for your kokua.
Brennan V. Low
Orchidland Estates, Hawaii.
Comm. No.-00V—A
I
Ref. To: MtG
Ref. pate APR 2 2 2020