Question: A while ago, the guide for parking space width in mall areas changed. Is this a guide or a law for the required space for a parking stall? What is it now, and if an area does not conform, where should it be reported to?
Answer: The city’s Land Use Ordinance currently requires that shopping centers provide one standard-size parking stall per 300 square feet of the building’s floor area, according to the Department of Planning and Permitting.
That means a stall has to be at least 18 feet in length and 8 feet 3 inches wide, and parallel parking spaces have to be at least 22 feet long, unless smaller stalls have been grandfathered in.
Parking standards have changed several times since the original parking standards were established by city ordinance in 1955, said Art Challacombe, deputy director for Planning and Permitting.
The ordinance once allowed 40 percent compact-size stalls for parking for all commercial uses. That allowance was removed in 1996, but you might continue to see compact-size stalls at some commercial businesses because they were there before the law was changed.
Under Section 21-4.110(e)(3) of the Land Use Ordinance, if an approved parking plan with nonconforming compact parking spaces was already on file prior to the law being changed, those compact spaces may be retained.
However, new lots built after 1996 require standard-size parking stalls, Challacombe said.
The requirements for multifamily dwellings are different. In those cases there may be up to 50 percent compact spaces among the required parking spaces.
The minimum dimensions for a compact space are at least 16 feet in length and 7 feet 6 inches in width, with parallel spaces at least 19 feet in length.
If you feel a business is not conforming to city regulations, you can call the city complaints office at 768-4381 or file a complaint online at www1.honolulu.gov/csd/publiccom/fixit.htm.
Question: In December I drained our swimming pool for repairs. The water went by street gutter to the storm drain so did not enter the sewer system. Upon refilling some 10,000 gallons, I applied for an exclusion for this extra water as it did not go into the sewer system, either. I applied to the Environmental Services agency on a special form for pool refills, and they acknowledge that they have my letter on file but on three occasions when I called them, they told me they were too busy to process the adjustment to the water bill. It has been a runaround since last year. It is a billing bookkeeping procedure. What can be done?
Answer: We were told you finally got your bill adjustment last month.
The process took "longer than normal" because of a backlog of such pool credit applications stemming from recent changes in the billing system, as well as "limited resources available to process applications," according to the city Department of Environmental Services.
However, officials said there may have been a violation of city ordinances if chlorinated pool water was discharged directly into a storm drain.
Dechlorination, an invoice showing that that work was done and a permit are required before making such a discharge, a spokesman said.
"Reputable pool contractors are aware of these requirements," he said. Violations can result in fines of up to $25,000.
AUWE
To the person who was caught on video surveillance camera May 17 coming onto private property with a cutter, then cutting off my red ti leaf plant in broad daylight. It was planted in honor of a loved one. You will not be charged for theft, but you will be taken care of by the above. Shame on you.
— Niu Valley homeowner
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
