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

Home

Holcomb Single-Family Residence in Honomu Environmental Assessment APPENDIX 4 Coastal Erosion Study APPENDIX 5 Biological Survey APPENDIX 6 Visual Impact Assessment APPENDIX 7 Site Plans: Civil Site Plan; Grading Plan;Landscape Plans;Tree Removal Aerial SUMMARY OF PROJECT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Kelly Holcomb(the applicant)seeks a Conservation District Use Permit(CDUP)to build a single-family residence on his 6.485-acre shoreline property located makai of Highway 19 just southeast of Honomu in the Conservation District on the Island of Hawaii. The single-story home would have 3,018 square feet(sf)of interior space,with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, and various other rooms. Together with the garage, a lanai, a swimming pool, a utilities room, and other features,the Total Development Area for the residence is 4,877 sf. The home will be off grid and powered by a rooftop photovoltaic system with a backup generator,with potable water from an on-site water well. Wastewater would be treated by an individual septic system located adjacent to the residence. The residence is designed as a single structure supporting efficient use of energy and materials and facilitating natural ventilation and lighting. The project includes landscaping removing highly invasive albizia,ironwood and fiddlewood trees and planting near the home with native,Polynesian and non- invasive ornamental trees,groundcover and ferns, along with some fruit trees,herbs and vegetables. Over a century of commercial cultivation of sugarcane in all parts of the property substantially altered the original landscape and vegetation. The site was surveyed for threatened and endangered plants, and none are present, although some native plants are present in limited areas that will not be affected by the project. Impacts to the island wide-ranging Hawaiian hawks and endangered Hawaiian hoary bats will be avoided through seasonal timing of vegetation removal and seasonal hawk surveys as needed.An archaeological survey found only the former locations of the railroad and a sugarcane flume,of which no remnants are present.No further archaeological work is expected to be required. In the unlikely event that additional undocumented archaeological resources,including shell,bones,midden deposits,lava tubes,or similar finds, are encountered during construction,work in the immediate area of the discovery will be halted and the State Historic Preservation Division will be contacted to determine the appropriate actions. The proposed home site is almost completely hidden from outside view by topography and groves of tall trees on the subject and adjacent properties, and will be set back more than 130 feet from the top of pah above the coastline.No streams or other water bodies are present on the property. Landclearing and construction activities would occur over less than an acre,with very minor short-term impacts to noise, air quality and scenery. These would be mitigated by Best Management Practices associated with the CDUP and grading permit. The applicant will ensure that all earthwork and grading conforms to applicable laws,regulations and standards, and there will be no adverse impacts to the adjacent shoreline or nearshore waters. No cultural sites or practices would be adversely affected. The rocky shoreline fronting the property is at the foot of steep coastal sea cliffs from 120 to 170 feet tall. A fishing spot called"Ladders"was formerly accessed by fishermen who used wooden ladders for access. The ladders have deteriorated and fisherman only rarely rappel down the cliffs,but local fishermen wish to preserve access. The applicant proposes coastal access corridors and provision of a license to the Makahanaloa Fishing Association to provide access, assist in management, and mitigate the potential liability to the property owner from claims for injury that could occur when attempting to access the shoreline.A parking area will also be provided for daytime fishing and access at night for those actively engaged in night fishing activities through a registration system managed by the Association. Informational and warning signage will also be provided. Page ii