Riddle me this, A-1a verses A-10a

[Jeffhale]

I am struggling along with the A-1a zoning in Hawaiian beaches, I figure parks and shores have the same zoning too..

Reviewing the county code, A-10a is "at least ten acres, and FA-1a is at least 1 acre". Their description of the number is that this describes the minimum size 'in acres' the property must be.

However, then we've got the zoning in Hawaiian beaches, A-1a, in a subdivision were there is not one lot over 1/3 acre, say. Most are in the average range of 12,000 sq ft.. Moreover, there's no A-1/4a zoning ha, ha..

A-1a? O.K. lets just say, that's the way it is, for-get-a-bout-it. However, there are certain benefits or disabilities about this zoning, depending on how you look at it.

For example: in a RS zone, residential single family, or all of R zoning types RD, RM, etc.you must install a proper driveway, permitted and inspected. Whereas in a 1 acre lot designated A-1a, there's no driveway requirements, actually in all A zoning areas, So would you say that the lots in Hawaiian beaches do not require driveways, even though this is a Urban area which ought to be R-1, or RS zoned? Or just because it's zoned, A-1a doesn't mean it's really A-1a?

Or, a drawback about this A-1a zoning is the rooster, (fighting cock) farms.. found throughout Hawaiian beaches, parks and shores, excluding shores rec, which has CCR's.. Now, which rule applies, Yaw got to have a driveway, or not, if yes than how can yaw have chickens too?

An Inspector told me recently, that I've got to install a permitted driveway, in Hawaiian beaches, however this contradicts the A-1a zoning. Does not matter to much as i intend to install one, but it's caused me to examine this zoning a little closer.

So, who's right, inspector, or A-1a zoning designation?

And or, just exactly were are the bag of tricks to discover the benefits, and downfalls regarding the magical Hawaiian beaches "A-1a" zoning, when there's not a single mention of this 'special type' of zoning within the on-line zoning regulations.

Moreover, if i "must" install a permited driveway, then those rooster farmers are in trouble, can't have one zone on one day an the other when ever yaw feel like it, now can yaw?

[Carey]

Jeff, this is HAWAII, sure you can have both!
Having served as an interim member of a committee that was dealing with some of the planning work for EPA, I can tell you that this is a problem all around.
Think of how fun it is to plan out infrastructure needs for this area, exp. when you really have no idea what is what. (I won't even bother with the fun that people doing evironmental assessments and larger scale planning have)
At least the county has agreed (I think) not to issue any more residential type subdivisions with ag zoning (maybe)

[Jeffhale]

Ha, ha Yeah, Carrie, however, I have problems accepting one can be or not be what it is and is not.. Except in a virtual world.

Anyways, it seems that I was not fully informed regarding the driveway issue. Turns out that in 2002 the county added a bonus for new houses. The inspector, as it seems must have been referring to Chapter 22 amendment to 22-4.8 (providing my quick note of this number is corrent) where it is not the whole driveway, but the area from the streets asphalt to your property line. The right of way or easement. This requires that a new home must have a licensed contractor install either 1 1/2"-2" asphalt or concrete (I presume the concrete must be around 4"in this area whether you install a proper driveway or not..

So, there's a little plus for the handy dandy do it yourself home builder. Because it's county property, this area in the least requires a special permit, 'working in the right of way', and MUST be preformed by the licensed guy.. With no less than $1,000,000 bond.

Now, how many's of you'se knew that one?

My wonderful neighbor brought it to my attention, via his sending the inspector after me..

This goes for all new (after 2002) homes built on the big island that have driveway access to any county paved road.. Regardless of zoning.




Edited by - Jeffhale on 06/05/2007 06:11:29

[toucano]

If true, can we expect that there will all of a sudden be a lot of new concrete contractors working under their 75 year old Uncle Chuck's contractors license? Just wondering

[Jeffhale]

I had to write the code numbers down rather quickly, while on the phone with the county, so I could have made an error in the exact nomenclature, however, it's true, quite.

I do not believe it has been being enforced though. There's countless newer homes I've seen with out this installation, plus some I know of that were not constructed with this special 'working in the right of way' permit.


Edited by - Jeffhale on 06/05/2007 06:22:42

Section 22-4.8.

Proper driveway approach required.

(a) No County street shall be used for ingress or egress to a property without a properly located and constructed driveway approach.

(side note) This does not specifically 'say' a permit is required unless you understand the meaning of the usage of the word "Properly" A proper constructed thing as used in building codes means according to the county standards, including permits and inspection. In this case as i mentioned, when you are working within the counties property, or right of way, a licensed contractor is required.



Edited by - Jeffhale on 06/05/2007 06:33:23

[John S. Rabi]

You need an engineered and permitted driveway if you access your property from a county road, regardless of your zoning.

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties

[Hotzcatz]

Yup, Jeff, they've been enforcing the driveway issue. However, most of you Punatics are on private roads so not many of you meet up with the driveway inspectors.

[Jeffhale]

Actually, We took a drive around yesterday and conducted a little survey. I'd thought, that less than 33 percent of newer homes did not have this egress/ingress improvement, however for our simple observation the numbers looked higher closer to 50 percent of newer homes (which look to have been built within the past 5 years) did not have a concrete or asphalt driveway, period.. The number decreased while we drove in an area that had CCR's, (Hawaiian shores recreational estates), but, there are new, presumably finalized, (electric wires hooked up to the homes new meter box) homes which do not have driveways installed, and a few that have been graded with cinder where it appears the owner has no intention of installing a proper driveway. However, In HSR, I believe this is not county road, so it is not a county issue..
Still within the counties jurisdiction, there's plenty without. Including several which appear to have been constructed without permits of this nature..

Interesting, as i learned today, i met with the county inspector.. He said that, this rule does not just apply to new housing developments but all, including existing, all properties with county asphalt or covered road egress/ingress..

When i inquired as to; with that type of rule, he might spend years enforcing this on existing driveways he replied: "We only enforce it when people call and complain"

[John S. Rabi]

Well, they sure enforced it at my Leilani Estates house! The County Inspector was driving by when I had my guy digging out the driveway and he red tagged us! He was nice enough to give us the necessary paperwork though, so all it took was to fill it out and go to the Public Works Department with a $25 check. There was some issue about the COH being named as beneficiary on the insurance policy during the construction but by the time this issue surfaced the construction was already finished.

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties

[Jeffhale]

Ha, well obviously there's the times or cases, where you can be caught 'red handed', John.

And in addition to our 'little' survey, I am having a very hard time finding these entrances that are actually built to code requirements, whether newer or old.

Really need graphics to show what the county requires but; There's generally a ten foot distance from the county street/asphalt to property line. About 2 feet of this is called 'shoulder'. ( in their example sketch this area is not marked for distance) But, the thing is; this shoulder area and swale, that you are required to build, should slope downward, toward your property, running 3/4" per foot, to the approximate 3/4 range of the whole distance, around 7', (the whole distance being approximately 10 ft.), Creating a total depth from the asphalt, 7' x 3/4" = 5 1/4 Inches. The area away from the shoulder is called the "swale". In the center of the swale, (approximately 7 ft from asphalt) it must return upward at 3/4" per foot. By doing this you will create a small gutter "swale" for water drainage across your driveway in the Right of way which will have a small valley "swale" approximately 2 1/2 ft from your property line. The swale when measured from your property line to the end of the shoulder, about 7 feet. should be almost 3 inches deep and lower than the county street/asphalt.

I have not seen one single driveway that has a swale which is 2-3" deep.. Much less proper shoulder and swale as the county requires in their standard details which accordingly, from the asphalt would be 5 1/4" deep.. .

BTW, seeing as this topic has changed it seems to me it should be moved to the building forum.





Edited by - Jeffhale on 06/08/2007 08:30:55

Edited by - Jeffhale on 06/08/2007 08:37:19