COM 0689.000 2016-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• states in part,the following: "We have reviewed the information you provided and the pertinent information in our files, including data compiled by the Hawaii Biodiversity and Mapping Program and the Hawaii GAP Program. Land cover information indicates that the proposed project area has classifications of open ohia forest and native uluhe shrubland. The federally threatened Newell's shearwater(Puffinus auricularis newelli), federally endangered Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia sandwichensis), Hawaiian hoary bat(Lasiurus cinereus semotus) and Hawaiian hawk (Buteo solitaries)have been observed in the project vicinity. There is nofederally designated critical habitat located in the vicinity of the project." hi addition,the letter provided the following recommendations to help avoid and minimize project impacts to listed species: "Outdoor lighting can result in seabird disorientation, fallout, and injury or mortality. Potential impacts to seabirds can be minimized by: 1) shielding outdoor lights associated with the project,particularly when used during each year's peak fledging period(September 15 through December 15); 2)avoiding night-time construction; and 3)providing all project staff with information regarding seabird fallout." "To avoid impacts to the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat,woody plants suitable for bat roosting should not be removed or trimmed during the bat birthing and pup rearing season(April to August). If this avoidance measure can not be implemented, bat surveys should be conducted and, if this species is found, our office should be contacted for further assistance." It should be noted that since the EA was completed in 2009,the entire parcel has been cleared of vegetation, 60 one-bedroom apartments were completed in 2014, 30 additional apartments and an adult day center are currently under construction. During the course of developing the property,the applicant has complied with the recommendations provided by the DOI-F&WS. The entire letter from the DOI- F&WS dated December 8,2008 is included as Appendix C. 11) Scenic or coastal resources: The predominant scenic views in the vicinity of the project area are of Mauna Kea,Mauna Loa and Hilo Bay. These views will not be adversely affected by the proposed boundary amendment and rezoning. There are no coastal resources in the immediate vicinity of the subject property. 12) Social settlement pattern for the area: The project area is predominantly residential in character although there are other vacant properties in the adjoining area. Adjacent properties to the north and east are primarily developed as single- family residential subdivisions. The two adjacent parcels to the west are currently being developed as the second phase of the Project which will have 30 one-bedroom apartment units for low-income senior residents and an adult day care center. In addition,the parcel immediately adjacent to these parcels was developed as Phase 1 of the Project which consists of 60 one-bedroom apartment units. Vacant property to the south is designated for use by the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Other land uses in the within a%2 mile radius of the subject property include the University Park,which houses a number of research and technical support facilities for the astronomical observatories on Mauna Kea as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center. 9