PD Recommendation Report (PL-SMA-2021-000007)

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As the proposed project is located entirely within the State Land Use (SLU) Conservation District, the applicant submitted a final environmental assessment (FEA) in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Ch. 343-5(a)(2) with the application. A notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the FEA was published in the November 23, 2021, issue of the Environmental Notice. Additionally, the applicant is currently working to obtain a Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP) for the proposed project via the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands; the Conservation District Use Application number is CDUA: HA-3878. The proposed single-family residence is considered a permitted use within the Conservation District and as designed will not significantly alter or impact coastal resources. The subject parcel was used for over a century for sugarcane agriculture, and no native vegetation is present as the land has been altered by historic land disturbance for agriculture and animal husbandry practices. No rare species or forest resources would be affected by the proposed project as none were observed.A home on this parcel would have no adverse effect on natural beauty and scenic view planes since it is low profile, and topography aids to hide the proposed project from the highway. No historic properties are affected, and there would be no change to the shoreline/fishing access or cultural practices that take place along this coastline. The property is not situated over any natural drainage system or water feature that would flow into the nearby coastal ecosystem and no floodplains are present in the affected area. In terms of beach protection,the applicant conducted a Coastal Erosion Study which concluded that a 100-foot minimum setback was appropriate considering rock fall hazards in this area. The applicant proposed to exceed that setback by locating construction to more than 130 feet from the top of pali and as such the proposed development would not affect any coastal resources nor adversely affect public use and recreation in this area. In reviewing the proposed development against the factors that may constitute a substantial adverse effect as listed under Planning Commission Rule 9-10 (H) (1-10), it has been determined that the proposed project to construct a single-family residence and related development on 6.485-acres of land will not have a significant adverse environmental or ecological effect upon the Special Management Area. This determination is based on the -3-