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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #3 PL-REZ-2025-000091 CU Hawaii FCU-Applicant Response to DPW Traffic Comments 2025.12.02Daryn Arai Land Use Planning Consultant P.O. BOX 4501, HILO HAWAII 96720 PHONE: (808) 895-3218 EMAIL: DARYN ARAI@OUTLOOK.COM December 2, 2025 Louis Daniele III, Chairperson and Members of the County of Hawaiʻi Windward Planning Commission 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chair Danielle: Subject: Change of Zone Application PL-REZ-2025-000091 Response to Department of Public Works-Traffic Division comments Applicant: CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union Tax Map Key: (3) 2-2-034:045, Waiākea, South Hilo, Hawaiʻi This letter will respond to DPW-Traffic Division comments regarding the above- described rezoning action for that Hinano Street property situated adjacent to the south of the existing CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union complex in Hilo. The Traffic Division comments are recited below followed by the Applicant’s response: •It seems a lot of these developments find no significant impacts. However, over time these developments in combination do cause significant impacts. What is the process for these developers to contribute to any future road improvements? Are any other developers in the area participating in the same process? Applicant’s Response: A response to this broader policy question may be better answered by the Planning Department. Specific to the subject property, the Applicant has committed to widening Hinano Street and paying its pro-rata share of improvements to standards typical of similar commercial-zoned area. If the County determines that these improvements to Hinano Street should be completed prior to commercial use of the subject property, the Applicant will be obligated to do so. The method of improving Hinano Street will likely be embedded as a condition of the zoning ordinance, should this rezoning request be approved by the County Council. •Please confirm that the existing facility will remain in place for administrative operations. Applicant’s Response: Affirmative. A new member-facing branch facility will be located on an adjoining property fronting Manono Street. Administrative and back-office operations will remain in the existing 45-year old branch facility on Hinano Street. Item #3 CU Hawaii Federal Credit UnionPL-REZ-2025-000091 Applicant Response to DPW Traffic Comments Given at WPC 12-4-25 Hearing Louis Daniele III, Chairperson and Members of the County of Hawaiʻi Windward Planning Commission Page 2 of 5 December 2, 2025 • Was consideration given to the impacts of the potential increase in members over time? Applicant’s Response: The existing Hilo credit union branch facility on Hinano Street and proposed new member-facing facility on Manono Street are intended to serve the existing members who reside in the City of Hilo. Significant growth in employees or membership is not anticipated within the 5-year period analyzed by the traffic impact analysis report (TIAR). More specifically, the Applicant has seen in-branch transactions trending downward by 50 percent since 2010 with a continuing downward trend as more members prefer online banking and remote transactions as compared to in-branch transactions. • Based on where the parking and the existing facility are, it seems traffic will be concentrated more on Hinano St. The Manono St at Piilani St intersection and the Manono St at Hualani St intersection are concerns. These are the two likely intersections motorists will use as they leave the subject facility via Hinano St. Hinano St at Kekuanaoa St intersection is also a bad location to make left turns. Applicant’s Response: Much of the traffic anticipated to be generated by the member-facing branch facility fronting Manono Street (Parcel 35) will be through the drive-thru that enters and loops back out via Manono Street. A parking lot is proposed on the Hinano Street fronting property (Parcel 45) but that is not reflective of the anticipated daily member visits at the new branch facility. CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union continuously seeks to enhance its on-line services to its members which will have the overall effect of reducing the number of in-branch visits. The Applicant anticipates that actual vehicular trips on an hourly basis will largely be via Manono Street, a design concept that prompted the Applicant to purchase the Manono Street property (Parcel 35) in early 2025. • Not sure the two full access driveways in close proximity on Manono St is a good idea. Need more explanation on the expected circulation. There are concerns with conflicts as multiple people try to enter and exit at the same time. Applicant’s Response: The site plan included within the application package is conceptual. The Applicant agrees with and accepts the Planning Director’s recommended zoning condition that all driveway connections and construction within Manono and Hinano Streets shall conform to Chapter 22, County Streets, of the Hawai‘i County Code. The Applicant’s civil engineer will work closely with the County’s Traffic Division to ensure that driveway approaches and turning movements are designed and constructed to standards acceptable to the County. Louis Daniele III, Chairperson and Members of the County of Hawaiʻi Windward Planning Commission Page 3 of 5 December 2, 2025 • What are the anticipated routes of the loading activities? Applicant’s Response: The proposed loading zone is situated adjacent to the proposed member- facing branch facility along an egress route directly from Manono Street. Therefore, the Applicant anticipates that most convenient route for delivery vehicles would be via Manono Street. Departing delivery vehicles can exit either via Manono or Hinano Streets. • Potential cut through traffic could occur as people try to avoid the busy Manono St at Piilani St intersection. Applicant’s Response: The possibility of traffic using the internal driveway system to “cut through” traffic and avoid the Manono-Piilani Street intersection is possible, no different than what current occurs at the nearby Manono Street Market Place complex. While not necessarily encouraged, the Applicant does see this “cut through” as helpful and not detrimental to managing traffic flow in the area during periods of heavy congestion. The same will apply to credit union members who can “cut through” to Don’s Grill on Hinano Street for lunch after they have completed their business at the credit union, rather than having to drive around via Manono and Piilani Streets. • The requirements of curb, gutter, and sidewalk for commercial zoning is someone else’s call, but are needed and logical improvements in a commercial area. Applicant’s Response: As explained in greater detail in a separate communication to the Windward Planning Commission, the Applicant is willing to provide for the widening of both Manono and Hinano Streets and pay its pro-rata share for shoulder improvements typical of commercial-zoned districts. The Applicant simply raises concerns regarding the timing and functionality of constructing such road widening improvements in a segmented fashion rather than as part of a comprehensive roadway enhancement program. • At minimum, a future widening and center turning lane should be considered on Manono St from north of Kekuanaoa St to Piilani St with turning lanes at Piilani St. Applicant’s Response: This is exactly why comprehensive roadway enhancement programs for Manono and Hinano Streets are preferred, as such widening improvements will affect multiple properties and multiple intersections far beyond the scope of this specific rezoning request. At the same time, the Applicant’s traffic study found that the proposed project will relocate its member services from its current Hinano Street location to the new Manono Street branch, an increase in employees or customers is not expected. Thus, the total number of peak hour trips to/from CU Hawaii FCU is not expected to change. Customer trips will be split between the two (2) proposed driveways at both the Manono and Hinano Street project sites. Louis Daniele III, Chairperson and Members of the County of Hawaiʻi Windward Planning Commission Page 4 of 5 December 2, 2025 • Hinano St should also be considered for paving improvement and widening to handle the frequent commercial traffic in the area, which will increase with this development and over time. Applicant’s Response: The Applicant’s TIAR showed no significant increase in traffic caused by the proposed construction of a new member-facing credit union branch facility. Similarly, even if membership grows, existing and expanded on-line services will continue to off-set the need for frequent in-branch visits by its members. • I would say these developments should all participate in a fair share contribution program. This would be on the condition that these improvements will be made at some point. If we are to hold the developer to construct the curb, gutter, and sidewalk as a rezoning or other condition, it should be a part of a master plan so it ties in with similar work done on future adjacent/nearby developments or projects. Fair share should also include, but not be limited to pavement improvements, widening, channelization, and other traffic controls. A promise to pay is in a sense a deferral and it puts the responsibility on the County to initiate these improvements. If not initiated, there is no payment. Applicant’s Response: The Applicant defers to the County Council regarding broadening the application of fair share contributions that is currently limited to residential units, but also realizes that widening of both Manono and Hinano Streets and paying its pro-rate share of CGS improvements is a form of “fair share contributions” being made by the Applicant. The Applicant also supports the recommendation that developer-constructed roadway improvements should be part of a master plan so these improvements all ties in properly with each other. • Perhaps a TIAR should be conducted to determine what kind of improvements are needed in this area. Not from the standpoint of CU Hawaii, but for the entire area based on what the current conditions and what is anticipated. Applicant’s Response: The Applicant defers its response to the Planning Department and the Department of Public Works given its broader policy implications beyond the scope of the these rezoning requests. In summary, the proposed rezoning of the subject property on Hinano Street and the adjoining commercial-zoned property facing Manono Street is to support the segregation of operational credit union branch activities that is currently housed in the main CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union complex on Hinano Street. Administrative and back-office functions will remain at the Hinano Street complex while member-facing services will be relocated to the new branch facility on Manono Street. This project is not introducing a new credit union branch Louis Daniele III, Chairperson and Members of the County of Hawaiʻi Windward Planning Commission Page 5 of 5 December 2, 2025 facility in an area that was not previously served. CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union has been a part of this neighborhood for over 45 years and it simply wishes to create a new and enhanced experience for its members; members who will continue to come to this neighborhood whether or not a new facility is constructed. Most of the congestion at existing intersections in this particular area of Hilo that was mentioned by the Traffic Division is not directly the result of the Applicant’s existing operations nor will it be exacerbated by the proposed new branch facility. Any attempt to require the Applicant to provide additional roadway or intersection improvements beyond the Hinano or Manono Street frontages of the project site does raise concerns about whether the such additional off-site roadway improvements is warranted by potential traffic impacts directly caused by the proposed project (rational nexus) and also whether such off-site improvements are proportional. We hope that we have adequately conveyed the Applicant’s position regarding these comments from the Traffic Division of the Department of Public Works. Please feel free to contact me should there be any questions or need for additional information. Sincerely, DARYN ARAI Land Use Planning Consultant cc via email: Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union