COM 0478.000 2000-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 9 Police services are available from the County's Police Station at Kealakehe, approximately five miles from the project site. Fire and emergency services arc available from the station at the intersection of Palani Road and the Queen Kaahumanu Highway, approximately four miles from the site. In response to the subject request, the Police Department stated that due to the increase in traffic, ingress and egress from this development be accomplished via channelized turning lanes. The Fire Department did not express any concerns that the proposed project will adversely affect its operations. Electricity and telephone services are currently available to the project area. The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) indicate that the area is located in Zone "X", areas determined to be outside of the 500 -year flood plain. There are no significant drainage ways that adversely affects Lot 1. While there are no indications of surface water flow on-site, the applicant will be required to abide by all applicable County guidelines for run-off generated by the development. The Department of Public Works has recommended that a drainage study be prepared, and the recommended drainage system shall be constructed meeting with their approval. The predominant soil within the project area is classified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, as Kaimu (rKED) and Punaluu (rPYD). The project site is not classified as having any agricultural importance on the State Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii (ALISH) Map and soils within Lot 1 is classified as "E" (Very Poor) for agricultural productivity by the Land Study Bureau. Therefore, the requested change of zone will not have any significant adverse impact on the agricultural resources of the County. The project site was graded, improved with a dwelling and used for pasturing animals. Given the improved nature of the project site, the presence of endangered floral and fauna species is unlikely. To mitigate any potential noise and visual impacts to adjacent neighbors, it is recommended that a landscaping buffer, to be determine during plan approval review, be established along both the north and west property boundaries. Compliance with the landscaping rules of the Planning Department (Rule No. 17) is required of commercial developments and uses seeking Final Plan Approval. Rule No. 17 does encourage the use of native plants in landscaping to promote ecological and cultural values.