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

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Holcomb Single-Family Residence in Honomu Environmental Assessment PART 1: PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND E.A. PROCESS 1.1 Project Description and Location 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 State Highway 19 just southeast of Honomu in the Conservation District on the Island of Hawaii (Figures 1-2). The property is bounded by the highway on the southwest, a private property on the southeast, and the sea on the northeast and northwest. The moderately sloping property, which is perched on a bluff from 120 to 170 above sea level, was cultivated for more than a century in sugarcane and is now covered almost entirely by invasive trees, shrubs and grasses. The only semi-natural vegetation is on the top and sides of the pali, which contain hala trees and a few other native shoreline species, along with a number of invasives such as ironwood. No streams, sensitive native plants or archaeological sites are present. The plan for the residence (Figure 3)is a single-story structure with a maximum height of 21 feet above existing grade and 3,018 square feet(sf) of interior space. It will contain 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, an open living-dining room, a kitchen, laundry, pantry and entry room. In addition there will be a two-car garage; lanai; swimming pool; an area with the backup generator, propane storage and water well; utilities room for solar PV equipment, pool pump and chlorination equipment; and a 500-gallon water tank. The home will be powered by a photovoltaic system and backup generator, with potable water provided by an on-site water well and fire protection provided by sprinklers throughout the home. An overhead telephone line will connect to a utility pole in an unobtrusive location just west of the property. Total Development Area for the residence, per Title 13-5, HAR, Exhibit 4, which counts features such as lanai, swimming pools, and utility sheds, is 4,877 sf Home materials include wood siding and lava rock veneer. The proposed home site is near the center of the property, a minimum of 130 feet mauka of the pali, largely hidden from outside view by topography and tall non-native trees on the subject and adjacent properties. The residence is designed as a single structure supporting efficient use of energy and materials and facilitating natural ventilation and lighting. Energy-efficient appliances will be used and an insulated roof structure and the proper siting of trees and shrubs will reduce potential solar gain. This together with natural ventilation will reduce the need for air conditioning. The home will have roof-mounted photovoltaic panel and a propane gas system supplying two tankless gas-on-demand water heaters, reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. An individual septic system conforming with requirements of the State Department of Health at HAR 11- 62 and located adjacent to the residence will treat wastewater. The septic system would have a tank capacity of 1,000 gallons and a 400-sf absorption field. Three shallow drywells would handle drainage. The project includes landscaping replacing non-native vegetation near the home site with native, Polynesian and non-invasive ornamental trees, groundcover and ferns, along with some fruit trees and a kitchen garden (see Landscape Plans in App. 7). The plan also includes removal of various non-native trees— especially ironwood and fiddlewood—to stabilize the cliff, promote native vegetation and open a view corridor to the north/northeast. In cooperation with the Big Island Invasive Species Council (BIISC) the applicant will gradually remove all albizia trees on the property, to the extent feasible. Page 1