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Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board Meeting October 2018 Minutes
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DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018
MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH
CALL TO ORDER -- Chair Ryan Tam called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Quorum was established with eight (8) members present. Note -- This nine (9)-member Board requires five (5) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action. Chair Tam welcomed attendees to the October 2018 regular monthly meeting of the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 and explained that the Neighborhood Board system was established to promote citizen participation in the government's decision-making process.
ROLL CALL -- William Ammons, Rodney Chang, Lynn Mariano, Ryan Tam, K. Russell Ho (Neighborhood Assistant), Jayne Cloutier, Susan Oppie, Chris Chung, and Ron Komine, Jr.
Board Members Absent -- Michael Zehner.
Vacancies -- There were no vacancies.
Guests -- Cindy McMillian (Governor David Ige's Representative, Director of Communications); Representative Tom Brower and staff member (Representative Tom Bower's Office), Deputy Director Ian Santee (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative, Honolulu Emergency Services Department); Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, Councilmember Carol Fukunaga, Kenny Amazaki (Councilmember Trevor Ozawa's Office), Acting Captain Casey Ferreira (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Baron Lee and Sergeant Clinton Corpuz (Honolulu Police Department, District 1); Jay Park (Our Kakaʻako), Keith Kurahashi (R.M. Towill Corporation), Elton Lum (The Kobayashi Group); W. Makaban, Girem Yoo, and Yulee Kim (Nan Inc.); Sunik Ham (CUZCO Development); Sia Khorrami; Steve Teves, Chase Kersten, and Vernon Kinoshita (Design Partners, Inc. [DPI]); Carol Thamtrachai and Rose Wall (Sandalwood), Michele Masterfano (Kapiʻolani Town House), Robert Hutchison, Brian Bagnall (The Outdoor Circle), Lois J. Langham, Joan and Michael Mishima, Jess Treat (Keauhou Lane), Mary McGovern (Keauhou Lane), Mary and Irene Toba, Pat Lee (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation), Dee Dee Letts (Judiciary), Sharon Moriwaki (Kakaʻako United), Tim Streitz (McCully-Moʻiliʻili Neighborhood Board No. 8, Chair), Daniel Simonich, Karen Offerdahl, Renee Espiau (Department of Planning and Permitting, Ala Moana Transit-Oriented Development), Lauren Martinez (Integrated Multimedia Consultants), and K. Russell Ho (Neighborhood Commission Office).
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Pāwaʻa Station -- Acting Captain Casey Ferreira reported the following:
??? October 2018 Fire Statistics -- There were 2 structure and 2 nuisance fires, which include fires outside a structure or vehicle, and 15 activated alarms (no fires); 178 medical emergencies, 3 motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians, 3 motor vehicle crashes/collisions, and 2 ocean rescues.
• Fire Safety Tip: Halloween Safety -- When selecting a costume, stay away from long, trailing fabric, as it can be a trip hazard or attach to an object and cause a fall. If you create your own costume, select materials that would not easily ignite, if it comes into contact with heat or flame. If your child is wearing a mask, ensure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out. Provide children with flashlights for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume. It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. The Honolulu Fire Department discourages the use of candles.
Comments followed: Air Horn -- Cloutier lives at Rycroft and Kaheka Streets and complained that a firefighter used an air horn eight (8) times in two (2) blocks from Kaheka Street to King Street in a high-density district, when there was no visible traffic. Acting Captain Ferreira noted that sirens and lights are mandated by law in an emergency and suggested that she file a complaint with the HFD Administration with the details. Cloutier added that the ambulances use lights only at nights. Acting Captain Ferreira repeated his suggestions.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 1 -- Lieutenant Baron Lee introduced Sergeant Clinton Corpuz and reported the following:
• September 2018/August 2018 Statistics -- There were 10/11 motor vehicle thefts, 10/12 burglaries, 141/127 thefts, 25/24 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV) or break-ins, 14/23 assaults, 7/2 sex assaults, 1/2 graffiti incidents, and 13/13 drug offenses. There were 6,337/6,605 calls for service. More statistics can be found on the HPD website at -- www.honolulupd.org.
• Safety Tip -- Halloween Safety: If children are wearing customs, be sure they are not trip hazards and safe. Parents or responsible adults should always accompany young children on their neighborhood routes. Teach children how to call 911 in the event that they have an emergency. If older children are going out alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you and agree on a specific time when they are supposed to be returning home. Go only to homes with porch lights lit and never enter a home or a vehicle. Remind trick-or-treaters to remain on the sidewalk and do not run across the street because pedestrian injuries are the most common to children on Halloween. If no sidewalks are available and you are crossing the street, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic. Only cross the street in established crosswalks. Avoid crossing between parked vehicles. Carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing. Parents or responsible adults should always inspect the candy before it is eaten and check the wrappers for possible tampering. If you have any type of suspicious candy at risk of being tampered with, call 911.
Comments followed:
1. Statistics on Moped Violations -- Oppie asked about noisy moped citations. Lieutenant Lee noted that HPD does not track noisy moped violations, as mopeds are difficult to catch, because they are so elusive. Lieutenant Lee suggested calling the Community Policing Team at 529-3691 for the community traffic awareness program (CTAP).
2. Bicycles and Mopeds on the Sidewalk -- Mariano was concerned about bicycles, mopeds, and Biki bikes on the sidewalks instead of in the bike lanes, as he sees people in wheelchairs dodging bicycles and he uses a walking stick. Lieutenant Lee suggested calling 911, but he already explained the difficulty in catching the violators. Patrol officers will address this more in business districts, where bicycles and mopeds are not allowed on the sidewalks, as in the residential districts.
3. Lights on Bicycles at Night ??? Chung was concerned about lights on bicycles. Lieutenant Lee said that headlights and taillights are required at nights. Chair Tam asked what the citation was. Lieutenant Lee thought it may be $35.00.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative -- Deputy Director Ian Santee, Honolulu Emergency Services Department (HESD) reported the following:
• Main Break on Kapiʻolani Boulevard -- Last month there was a major main break on Kapiʻolani Boulevard that disrupted the area for a long time. What happened? Board of Water Supply (BWS) responded that the main break on Kapiolani Boulevard was closed off due to damage caused by a contractor to the 12-inch water main line. Because of the damage to the line and the condition of the road surface, that area needed to be completely closed to ensure not only the safety of the BWS crew members and HPD officers, but the public as well that normally travel that corridor. We understand that these breaks create an inconvenience to everyone, and appreciate everyone's patience during the repair.
• Regarding the BWS Reports -- BWS: As Neighborhood Board meetings occur throughout the month, the timeliness of the information will vary from Board to Board. We understand that, by the time the September main breaks are reported to this Board, it is almost October.
• Pedestrian Island at Sheridan Street and Kapiʻolani Boulevard -- Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) has been in discussion with DTS, regarding the construction of the requested pedestrian island and has suggested modifications to the initial plans to incorporate newer curb and delineator systems that have been more resilient to vehicle damage versus the asphalt berms that were requested. The pedestrian island is scheduled to be completed by the end of the calendar year 2018. The newer curb system that incorporates delineators attached to the curbing was selected and is being purchased for installation at this location. The asphalt berms have not been as resilient to vehicle contact as evidenced by frequent maintenance of the berms at the King Street cycle track.
• Parcel of Land Next to the Kewalo "Like-the-Look" Lab -- There was a question in regards to the parcel of land next to the Kewalo "Like-the-Look" lab or the proposed President Obama Library site. Division of Land Management (DLM) responded: In May 2018, the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) Board of Directors approved an action to transfer various HCDA parcels, including the Waterfront Park, remnant roads, and the Children's Discovery Center to the City. Included in the package of parcels to be transferred is the Look Lab site. The City is conducting due diligence on the transfer parcels at this time to review the current condition of the lands and any issues that may need to be resolved prior to transfer. Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP): The Kakaʻako waterfront site is under the jurisdiction of the State of Hawaii, HCDA. The HCDA is charged with planning for and managing this land.
• Adding Two Floors to Low-rise Apartment Buildings -- DPP: The Kakaʻako waterfront site is under the jurisdiction of the State of Hawaii, HCDA. The HCDA is charged with planning for and managing this land.
• Missing Crosswalk -- Department of Transportation Services (DTS): The crosswalk at Kaheka and Kona Streets is privately-owned and under the jurisdiction of the Ala Moana Center, which is managed by Brookfield Properties Retail Group (BPRG), formerly General Growth Properties. Mr. Andrew Brent, Head of Communications, of BPRG may be reached by email at: andrew.brent@brookfield.com.
• Sirens on Fire Engines -- Deputy Director Santee added that he will follow up with the HFD Administration on Cloutier's concern after Neighborhood Assistant Ho writes it up.
Comments followed:
1. Bulky Item Pick Up -- Cloutier reported that when she lived in Waikīkī there was weekly pick up, but in Ala Moana/Kakaʻako, the bulky Item pick up is only once a month and noted that it is slow by five (5) to 10 days after the pick-up date. So, the delay invites others to illegally dump on their bulky items. Deputy Director Santee added that in Waikīkī, there are private contractors and asked where the trouble spots are. Cloutier responded on Rycroft, Pensacola, and Kaheka Streets. Chang added on Liona Street and that the piles block the use of the sidewalks, so residents walk on the road. Deputy Director Santee will follow up.
2. Traffic Accidents Around Ala Moana Center -- Chung saw a report on the Internet that the most dangerous area in the U.S. is around Ala Moana Center. He asked for any statistics that verify this claim. Deputy Director Santee will follow up.
3. Closed Sidewalk -- Resident Brian Bagnall complained that the sidewalk in front of the tower where the water main broke on Kapiʻolani Boulevard is still closed. The contractor is still blocking the sidewalk for over a year and asked how long the contractor can inconvenience the public use of the sidewalk. Deputy Director Santee will follow up with the proper City agency.
Councilmember Carol Fukunaga -- Councilmember Fukunaga distributed her Neighbor to Neighbor newsletter and highlighted the following:
• Pedestrian Safety -- Due to recent fatalities in the Nuʻuanu/Liliha area, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has installed "pedestrian crossing signaling" devices on Pali Highway. Councilmember Fukunaga urges the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 and other older neighborhoods to adopt these safety measures.
• Bill 75 -- To address the crowded sidewalks, Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is reviewing small mobile devices (like bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and Segways), so that Bill 75 would better address the areas that small mobile devices may use the sidewalks in the Waikīkī and Ala Moana/Kakaʻako districts.
• Climate Action Plan Public Meeting -- Councilmember Fukunaga, Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, and the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resilience will be holding a public meeting on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center (NBC), Hawaiʻi Suites. Councilmember Fukunaga and Councilmember Kobayashi have introduced a resolution asking the City Administration to more aggressively pursue to adopt the 2018 Climate Change Action Summit policies.
Comments followed:
1. Bill 69, Relating to Fire Sprinklers for Condominiums -- Komine asked about Bill 69. Concerning the Emergency Conditions topic, the City Council will vote for a two (2)-year extension of deadlines at the Wednesday, November 14, 2018 meeting. One (1) concern was for non-mobile people, who cannot go down 25 floors of stairs. The two (2)-year extension will give planners time to work the problems out.
2. Pedestrian Safety -- Chung noted a fence at Kahala Mall to prevent people from running across the street. Although Councilmember Fukunaga was not familiar with that particular safety measure, she was aware that many complaints come from the removal of mid-block crosswalks. She supports the installation of pedestrian-activated lights, which are used on Pali Highway and between Honolulu Hale and the State Capitol, where there is a mid-block crosswalk and a pedestrian-activated traffic signal and hundreds of people use it daily.
Councilmember Ann Kobayashi -- Councilmember Kobayashi's distributed her District V newsletter and reported the following:
• Three (3) Parks Closed for Maintenance -- There were three (3) parks closed for needed repairs and maintenance and people started blocking the sidewalks. Councilmember Kobayashi noted that after the Old Stadium Park is fixed up, then a Master Plan will enlist the McCully-Moʻiliʻili Neighborhood Board No. 8 and Chair Tim Streitz to help.
• Vision Zero Program -- With so many pedestrian accidents, people are looking at Vision Zero, a program that started in Sweden in 1990 and is moving across the United States, in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Pedestrian fatalities have been cut in half. The premise is that every accident is preventable. So, they work on solutions to prevent accidents. The program is successful and a resolution should be passed on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 to implement this program and they will urge every Neighborhood Board to participate to make the neighborhoods safe.
• Honolulu -- An Age-Friendly City -- The City Council also passed a bill to make Honolulu age-friendly, not only for kūpuna, but for keiki, too. Every City plan will have this idea behind it. It is a World Health Organization (WHO) program and Councilmember Kobayashi wants to get the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 involved, too.
Comments followed:
1. Common Issues -- Mariano commended Councilmember Kobayashi and Councilmember Fukunaga for working on community issues. He visits other Neighborhood Board meetings and agrees that they should meet on common areas of interest, like maintenance of the sidewalks and pedestrian safety.
2. Enforcement -- Mariano added when Councilmembers are drafting legislation, they should involve HPD sooner, so they can train the officers for enforcement. Mariano added that he saw many pedestrians crossing the street and looking at electronic devices, while bicyclists zoomed by. Everyone agreed that HPD is under-staffed to enforce the many laws. Councilmember Kobayashi noted that hiring Park Rangers may ease some workload. Chang noted the statistics of 6,000+ calls per month. Sometimes, it is impossible to respond to calls. Everyone commended HPD for doing the best job with available resources.
Councilmember Trevor Ozawa -- Kenny Amazaki distributed Councilmember Ozawa's Community Report and reported the following:
• Monster Houses -- There were many pieces of legislation, like Bill 64, concerning Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), fines, demolishing a structure on Date Street, which was later found permitted, and an audit of DPP.
• Public Input -- There would be many opportunities for community input.
Constitutional Amendment (ConAm) for Property Tax Surcharge (Senate Bill 2922, SD1 HD1) -- Chair Tam announced that there was no person to talk about the ConAm.
State Representative Tom Brower -- Representative Tom Brower made his Neighborhood Board Report available and highlighted the following:
• ConAm Update -- The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled that this ballot question was invalid.
• Other Concerns -- Other articles include muffler noise, commercial activity at Kolowalu Park, and promoting Affordable Housing.
• Air Horns -- Representative Brower will follow up on Cloutier's complaint. He had a bill on "Bells and Whistles" and HPD and ambulance drivers may have discretionary use, but HFD does not have that choice. Cloutier agrees with the sirens and lights, but she feels the air horns are too much. Chair Tam mentioned that construction vehicles have different types of back-up alarms. Representative Brower will share information.
House Speaker Scott Saiki -- James Stone distributed a Neighborhood Report and was available to hear concerns.
Chair Tam asked about Private Streets. Stone responded that there is on-going litigation by the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA). There has been no response from the Chun brothers (Kakaʻako Land Co.) on getting the private roads up to County standards. HCDA will pursue other options.
State Senator Brickwood Galuteria -- There was no representative present and no report available.
Governor David Ige's Representative -- Cindy McMillian, Director of Communications, reported from the Capitol Connection for October 2018 as follows:
• Capitol Connection -- People are encouraged to sign up for electronic delivery of the Capitol Connection newsletter, if they have not already at -- http://governor.hawaii.gov/subscribe.
• Global Climate Action Summit -- On Page 2, Governor Ige joined other environmental leaders at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco last month to work toward the goals of the Paris Climate Accord.
• New Modern Payroll System -- On Page 4, it has taken a dedicated team of State employees, the Hawaii Pay Team, to transform the State's massive payroll system from a hugely labor-intensive process to a new computer-based, "best practice" operation.
• Pedestrian Accidents -- Although the increase in crashes and fatalities is alarming, the various statistics in other States are at a particular intersection, while the statistics for Ala Moana Boulevard include the Ala Moana Center parking lot. There were only two (2) major accidents at Piʻikoi Street and Ala Moana Boulevard and at Ala Moana Boulevard and Atkinson Drive. State Statistics compare "apples to apples," so this stretch of road may not be the most dangerous road in the U.S.
Comments followed: Social Media -- Chung added that drivers are texting and tweeting about road rage on Twitter and asked what the Governor's response was to this dangerous situation. McMillian also noticed drivers texting and will follow up.
AGENCY REPORTS
Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) -- There was no representative present and no report was available.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) -- Pat Lee reported the following:
• Social Media -- Lee commented that while riding the rail, Chung could e-mail or tweet whatever he wanted. Komine responded that by the time the rail is finished, Tweeter may become something else.
• Public/Private/Partnership Contract -- The HART Board unanimously approved bringing on a private partner (called a P3, public/private/partnership contract) to help with constructing and financing the remainder of the rail project. This would include 4.2 miles of elevated guideway and eight stations through the center of town between Middle Street and Ala Moana Center, called the City Center Guideway and Stations (CCGS), as well as construction of the park and ride parking garage at the Waiawa station at Pearl Highlands. This contract would also include provisions to maintain and operate the system for a 30-year term. The CCGS contract would start in 2020.
• The City Charter -- Like the Mayor, the Council and all City departments, including the Neighborhood Commission, HART's authority is governed by the City Charter.
• Act 01 -- Last year, the State Legislature passed Act 01, during a Special Session, which granted additional funding for the rail project. It also added State oversight to the management of HART by adding four (4) State-appointed members to the HART Board, increasing its membership. These new Board members are appointed by the Senate President and House Speaker. The amendment is basically a "house-keeping" measure to bring the Charter in compliance with State law.
• Ballot Question -- The ballot question reads: "Shall the Revised Charter of the City and County of Honolulu 1973 (2017 Edition), relating to the Board of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (the "Board???) be amended:
o To increase the number of Board members from ten to a maximum of fifteen;
o To provide that the President of the Hawaii State Senate and the Speaker of the Hawaii State House of Representatives may each appoint up to two (2) non-voting members, for terms to be determined by the appointing authority;
o To provide that the City Council may appoint one (1) additional voting member;
o To specify that six (6) members shall constitute a quorum; and
o To specify that the affirmative vote of a majority of all voting members of the Board shall be necessary to take any action, and such action shall be made at a meeting open to the public."
The amendment, if passed, would make the Charter language consistent with the changes to the HART Board brought on by State law, Act 01 (2017) which increases State oversight of HART by adding State- appointed Board members, with adjustments made to quorum and voting requirements, with 10 voting members and six (6) voting members as a majority. The Charter amendment question will appear on this year's General Election ballot.
• No Holiday Construction -- As part of the Annual Holiday Travel Work Restriction period, in collaboration with the State Department of Transportation and the City Department of Transportation Services, there will be no planned rail construction work-related lane closures during the Holidays. Details are available on the project website.
• Information -- For more information on the rail project, please visit our website at -- www.honolulutransit.org, you can call the project hotline at 566-2299, or email a question to -- infohonolulutransit.org.
Comments followed:
1. Public/Private/Partnership Contract -- Lee clarified the 3P contract, which go through the State/City procurement process and provide private financing.
2. More to Do -- Nan, Inc. has been contracted to move the utilities and get the noise variances. There are also restrictions on the type of equipment to use. The following flyer was distributed --
Halekauwila Street Lane Closures
Keawe Street to Coral Street
Late October 2018 to Mid-January 2019
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) would like to notify area residents and businesses of alternating lane closures associated with work to upgrade the Honolulu Rail Transit Project's utility infrastructure in the area. For the safety of work crews and the traveling public, please observe construction signage.
What to Expect During Construction
• Those who are in close proximity to the work zone, may experience increased noise levels, vibration and dust from machinery during construction activity. We apologize for the inconvenience.
• Business and resident access will be maintained. Local Traffic will be maintained during block closure.
??? There will be no lane closures on the following holidays:
o Tuesday, November 6, 2018 in observance of General Election Day.
o Monday, November 12, 2018 in observance of Veterans Day.
o Thursday, November 22, 2018 to Sunday, November 25, 2018 in observance of the Thanksgiving Weekend.
o Saturday, December 22, 2018 to Friday, December 28, 2018 in observance of the Holiday Season.
• Bus stops and routes may be modified or closed during this operation. For up-to-date bus information, call (808) 848-5555 or visit -- www.TheBus.org.
• Daytime Closures -- There will be closures from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
After they are finished, the 3P contract will proceed and will be less problems and less expensive than encountered on the west side.
3. Traffic and Noise -- Mariano asked about road widening, noise variances, and night work. Lee explained the hours for set-up and take down before the morning rush hour traffic.
Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- There was no report, but Chair Tam read the following: Primary Urban Center Watershed Management Plan Community Meeting #3 -- Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the Ala Wai Elementary School (503 Kamoku Street) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS
Constitutional Amendment for Property Tax Surcharge (Senate Bill 2922, SD1 HD1) -- There was no representative to speak to the issue, due to the recent Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruling to void the ballot question.
Alder Street Affordable Rental Housing and Juvenile Services Center Update -- Steve Teves showed renderings of the project, which is across the Sheridan Park and bound by Alder Street, Elm Street, and Piʻikoi Street, the former Detention Center. Teves explained that there was an affordable residential side on Piʻikoi Street and a Judiciary side on the Alder Street (East) side with probationary services, Judiciary shelter, and the Judiciary Receiving Center. The residential component has the residential high-rise with residential parking, while the Alder Street-side has the Judiciary entrance and parking on the ground floor. A map showed the gas station and Chinese restaurant on the King Street side. The first floor will be for the Judiciary with part going for the lobby of the residential side. The second floor will be the Judiciary offices and residential parking and the third floor and up will be for the residential, up to the 20th floor. A typical floor plan showed the layout for 200 rental units and one (1) Manager's Unit with most at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) and five percent (5%) of the units at 30% Area Median Income (AMI). There were various view from other buildings, the "building envelope," the two (2) entrances, and the open space for the youth with some secured privacy.
Comments followed:
1. Two (2) Separate Projects -- Oppie asked about the two (2) separate components (State and private) on the same property. Project Manager Elton Lum from the Kobayashi group, which is the developer, mentioned that the Kobayashi Group has a 75-year ground lease and the affordable housing will go for 72 years minus the construction period. The Kobayashi Group will oversee the residential side, under the Condominium Property Regimes (CPR) and also the Judiciary side. There will be various companies to design, build, and manage the property. Mariano was concerned about jurisdictional disputes. The Judiciary will abide by the various filed-documents by the Kobayashi Group.
2. Other Concerns -- Chung noted that neighbors had serious concerns about McKinley High School students mixing with the Judiciary probation youth at the bus stop. Chair Tam again mentioned having retail on the ground floor. Komine added that the homeless issue may be addressed on the Judiciary-side.
3. Next Steps -- Chair Tam asked about the next steps. Lum stated that they will be applying for the various permits and the financials with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), with demolition by the end of 2019, and construction by the start of 2020 and finish by July 2021. Chair Tam asked about additional public input. Lum noted the public concerns period was during the Environmental Assessment (EA) process, but Keith Kurahashi, R.M. Towill Corporation, added there will be public hearings before the City Council, when the project is presented for final approval.
Keʻeaumoku Development Interim Planned Development-Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Application and Ala Moana Transit-Oriented Development Plan Amendment -- Keith Kurahashi for Cuzco Development U.S.A presented the proposed mixed-use project at 805, 815, 819, 835, 903, 905, 915, and 919 Keʻeaumoku Street and 1519 Liona Street. A Fact Sheet was available. The Applicant, Cuzco Development U.S.A., LLC ("Cuzco"), proposes to construct a "Keʻeaumoku Corridor," a mixed-use project with condominium residences, affordable for sale condominium residences, ancillary common area uses, and commercial development. The Cuzco Development U.S.A. proposal is to increase the density of the Keʻeaumoku Street corridor to 7.0 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and an increase in height from 350 feet to 400 feet. Vernon Kinoshita of Design Partners, Inc. explained the need for 30,000 sq. ft. of open space.
Presently, Cuzco has two (2) different design proposals under consideration, Proposal One will include 980 for-sale condominium residences, 114 affordable for-sale condominium residences with ancillary common area uses and about 82,800 square feet of commercial uses (including retail, eating and drinking establishments, offices and other uses), and 1,570 parking stalls. The proposed development will provide about 30,000 square feet of public open space in a useable plaza and park area on the site. The Project Proposal One design is currently planned to have two (2) 350-foot tall high rises and a midrise, the two towers will be 37-story towers and the midrise will have 10 floors.
Design Proposal Two will include 964 for-sale condominium residences, 128 affordable for-sale condominium residences with ancillary common area uses and about 90,500 square feet of commercial uses (including retail, eating and drinking establishments, offices and other uses), and 1,571 parking stalls. The proposed development will provide about 37,000 square feet of public open space in a useable plaza and park area on the site. Scheme Two project design is planned to have two (2) 400-foot tall towers that will be two (2) 42-story towers.
Proposal 1 would have 1300 sq. ft. units, 400 sq. ft. studios, and 114 affordable units, with green space on the mid-rise middle section. If the project gets the 400-foot height limit, the mid-rise section would disappear and the open space would increase to 37,000 sq. ft. Chung was concerned about parking. Kurahashi added that when the Rail goes in, there would be less of a need for parking. They are already planning for the ultimate reduction for parking. Now, they are close to the required number of spaces for parking. Comments followed: Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) wants less parking spaces. Mariano was concerned about sewer capacity. Cloutier mentioned increased people and noise. Another resident of the Sandalwood commented on traffic. Renee Espiau noted that Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) wanted the Ala Moana Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) more on Kapiʻolani Boulevard than on Keʻeaumoku Street, but will watch this project closely. DPP likes the direction of less parking, more open spaces, and more walking. Chung suggested having no parking stalls, except for disabled people.
In summary, Cuzco Development U.S.A., LLC ("Cuzco"), would request that the City Council support the amendments to the Ala Moana Neighborhood Transit-Oriented Development Plan to give the Keʻeaumoku Corridor project a 7.0 FAR and 400-foot height limit, an increase from the existing 5.0 FAR and 350-foot height limit in the existing Ala Moana TOD Plan, subject to providing the open space bonus (20% of the lot).
Chair Tam noted that more public input and discussion would be allowed later on the agenda.
RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Kolowalu Park Events/Pet Walk -- Chair Tam received concerns about the Pet Walk, which he will forward to the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA).
Local Banks -- Michele Masterfano, who is the Treasurer for the Kapiʻolani Town House, explained that condominiums are required to put funds in local banks, but they can get higher interest rates on the mainland. She has a petition and would like to introduce legislation next January 2019 to change this requirement. Chair Tam would put this item on the next agenda for discussion.
Honolulu Night Market -- Jay Park from Our Kakaʻako announced a Honolulu Night Market "Small Business Saturday" on Saturday, November 24, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Auahi Street and Keawe Street. There will be food vendors, food trucks, and a fashion show. There were flyers in the back.
Crosswalk at Kona and Kaheka Streets -- This item was forwarded to Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative.
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Attendance at Other Meetings
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OahuMPO) CAC (Citizen Advisory Committee) -- Ammons mentioned that they talked about transportation and sea level rise and global warming in Florida. There is a website to mark problem crosswalks.
Parking -- Mariano was concerned about parking and wanted the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 to work with Makiki/Tantalus/Lower Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 10, McCully-Moʻiliʻili Neighborhood Board No. 8, and Waikīkī Neighborhood Board No. 9 on other issues, like the homeless moving into other Neighborhood Board areas and discussing modes of transportation on the sidewalks.
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