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Aaron S.Y. Chung, Council Chair <br /> and Members of the County Council <br /> Page 3 <br /> Kaloko Mauka, the Council found that the concerns could be mitigated by specific rezoning <br /> conditions which would require that at least 80%of the property be kept in forest cover,in the area <br /> above 3,000 feet in elevation(Resolution No.58-97). One of the conditions included in Resolution <br /> No. 58-97 was to restrict the number of dwellings to one per lot. The Planning Director <br /> recommends a restriction against a second dwelling on each lot to minimize the density of <br /> development in the native forest, similar to a condition included with other past rezones in the <br /> subdivision. Conditions of approval will be included to meet the forest cover and density <br /> requirements of the resolutions mentioned above. <br /> According to the applicant,the property is heavily forested with a relatively closed canopy <br /> of`ohi`a and a dense understory of hapu`u ferns and other native and non-native trees and shrubs. <br /> Significant alien weed species present in the forest include banana poka, tibouehina, ginger, <br /> Philippine fig,trumpet tree and silk oak. The site has been degraded by the widespread invasion of <br /> plant species and by disturbance of feral pigs. Other wildlife known to the area consists mongoose, <br /> turkey, and other common introduced birds. Common native Hawaiian birds inhabiting the <br /> property include the `amakihi, `apapane and`elepaio. The site is not known to be a habitat for any <br /> rare or endangered animal life. Given its elevation, however, it would be possible to find the <br /> Hawaiian Hawk (I`o), Hawaiian Owl(Pueo) and the Hawaiian Hoary Bat(`ope`ape`a). <br /> The Hawaiian Forest Bird Recovery Plan (1983) identified the upper slopes of Hualalai, <br /> above the 3,000-foot elevation, as "essential habitat" for the endangered `akepa and Hawaiian <br /> creeper. These bird species feed from `ohi`a lchua and koa. The proposed development has the <br /> potential to alter the mixture of plant life,however,the low density of the proposed development <br /> and conditions of approval consistent with Resolution No. 58-97 will assure the continuation of <br /> habitat for existing wildlife. <br /> The Kona Community Development Plan(CDP)includes similar goals as the General Plan <br /> regarding preservation of natural resources and native species, as well as watershed protection. <br /> With implementation of these conditions,the request will conform to the goals and policies of the <br /> General Plan and Kona CDP. <br /> All utilities and services are available to the site.The proposed access to the property is <br /> from Kaloko Drive which is a County owned and maintained roadway with a 22-foot wide <br /> pavement with grass shoulders within an 80-foot right-of-way. According to the Department of <br /> Public Works, access to Kaloko Drive should be limited to one combined approach and a "no <br /> vehicular access planting screen"easement should be included along the Kaloko Drive roadway <br /> frontage. This recommendation will include a condition requiring only one combined access to <br /> Kaloko Drive for the four (4) proposed lots as well as a requirement for a"no vehicular access <br /> planting screen" easement to restrict additional access points. <br />