Council set to vote on 'Ewa road-fees plan

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

A city plan to charge developers fees to help pay for regional roads in 'Ewa has passed the final hurdle before going to the City Council for approval on Oct. 16.

The Council Zoning Committee yesterday approved the 'Ewa Highways impact fees bill, which would assess developers of 15,000 planned 'Ewa housing units and new retail, office, industrial, hotel and time-share space to help raise $194 million for highway improvement projects in the 'Ewa region.

The projects, which will be done in partnership with the state, include improvements to the Kapolei and Makakilo interchanges on H-1, widening Fort Barrette and Fort Weaver roads, and constructing the Kapolei Parkway and the North-South Road.

The developers are expected to contribute about $38 million of the improvements.

The only concern was expressed by Randall Fujiki, director of the Department of Planning and Permitting, who said the city would like assurance from the state Department of Transportation that the projects will move forward even if the city cannot match funds when the state is ready to begin the projects.

DOT Director Brian Minaai submitted written support that said the bill before the council "will allow the Department of Transportation to expedite five major state highway improvements that will improve traffic flow in the 'Ewa region."