REP PC 135 07/14/1998 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PC-l35 Page 2 July 14, 1998 The Soil Survey Report classifies soils within the project site as Kiloa Extremely Stony Muck, 6 to 20 percent slopes. This soil consists ofwell-drained, thin, extremely stony organic soils over fragmental A~a lava. Permeability is rapid, runoff is very slow and the erosion hazard is slight. This soil is used for woodland and pasture. The Land Study Bureau classifies the soils within the subject property as "E" (Very Poor) for agricultural productivity. The Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii (ALISH) System classifies the soils as "Unique Agricultural Land", lands that have the special combination of soil quality, location, growing season and moisture supply used to produce sustained high quality and/or high yields of a specific crop when treated and managed according to modem farming methods. The 'Alala Recovery Plan dated October 28, 1982, recommends that a portion of the lands of Kaloko, above approximately the 3,200 foot to 3,400 foot elevation including all parcels in Blocks 8 through 13 of Kaloko Mauka Subdivision, be designated as an essential habitat for the Alala, an endangered bird whose population has reached an extremely critical state. The Central Kona area long the north and west slopes of Hualalai is considered to be the center of concentration for breeding'Alala. Recent discussions with the Department of Land and Natural Resources indicate that there have been no sightings in Kaloko during this decade. The subject parcel is heavily vegetated with ohia, tree fern, a variety of shrubs and non-native vegetation. Wildlife seen at the property consists of turkeys, hawks (Lo), Chinese pheasants and other forest birds. An archaeological investigation of the Kaloko ahupua'a was conducted by Huehue Ranch, the developer of the Kaloko Mauka Subdivision. According to the application, archaeological sites may be located within the subject property. "the applicants stated that no construction or land alteration activity will commence until such time that the appropriate clearances are secw'ed from the affected State and County agencies. It is recommended that an archaeological study of the subject property be submitted for review and approval by the Planning Director. Your Committee had concerns about the applicant's proposal for tlae 60-foot wide "forest reserve easement" for buffer purposes along the existing road, a 60-foot wide structural setback along the existing roads in lieu of the required 30-foot setback, a 30-foot "forest reserve easement" along all lot Tines not covered by the 60-foot easement and a provision that no less than fifty percent of the entire lot area be retained in forest. "these recommended conditions, which have the support of the Planning Director, will attempt to preserve the forest corridor along the roads of Kaloko Mauka Subdivision. A suggestion, at the request of the Kaloko residents, was to increase the setbacks and easements to what were established in Resolution No. 58-97, as seen in Bil] No. 269, Draft 2, and to increase the forest ratio to 80'%. Your Committee was asked to review and compare previous zonings of this size and to see if a proportionate ratio could he worked out. Bill No. 273, Draft 2, which amended Condition L to include the standard language for fair share contributions, was circulated and approved by Your Committee. Your Committee understands that these contributions would be applied to the improvement of the KalokoiMamalahoa Highway intersection, and questioned why contributions were collected for parks, fire, police and sewage when fair share contributions are not usually collected on this type of zoning. Your Committee had concerns about the traffic on Mamalahoa Highway and the poor sight distance from Kaloko Drive as you enter Mamalahoa Highway, so they wanted to know the future plans of the Department of Public Works in regard to the Kaloko/Mamalahoa Highway intersection, as Mr. Kazu Hayashida, of the State Department of Transportation, stated in his communication to the Planning Department that he does not want any more