07-18-2022 Applicant Response to Public Testimonies (PL-REZ-2021-012)

Home

11. Regarding review by the Cultural Resources Commission, outreach to lineal or cultural descendants. An Archaeological Inventory Survey and subsequent Data Recovery Report were completed and approved by the DLNR State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) and a statement that no historic properties would be affected was issued. Should the Planning Commission determine that review by the Cultural Resources Commission is warranted we would be happy to present the project. However, we believe the work done on the historic resources of the site is satisfactory and the proposed project will not have impacts to historic sites. Further, as is standard and reflected in the Proposed Condition Q in the Recommendation Report, should previously unidentified sites be discovered, work in the immediate vicinity of the find will be stopped and SHPD will be contacted. Work would not resume until appropriate mitigation is accomplished. Ms. Matlock's comments: 1. Regarding agricultural potential. Several sources of guidance help to evaluate the agricultural potential of land in Hawaii. The Natural Resource Conservation Service Land Study Bureau rates agricultural productivity of this property as mostly "D" (poor) and a smaller area of"C" (fair). This parcel is not classified under the Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii (ALISH) system. The subject parcel was determined to fall within the General Plan Urban Expansion LUPAG map designation. These factors, along with the sloping topography of the site severely limit the range of commercial agricultural uses likely to succeed on the property. Combining these factors with the challenges experienced by agricultural producers including high input, transportation and labor costs, helps to explain why it is unlikely for this parcel or the proposed new lots to be successfully used for commercial agricultural operations. On the other hand, the property is very well suited to Family Agricultural uses including small-scale agricultural operations associated with low density residential activities consistent with Section 25-5-60 of the zoning code (Exhibit B). Soils and rainfall on the property are sufficient to grow a wide range of fruits and vegetables on a small farm or homestead. This diverse distributed low impact form of agriculture is a vital component to healthy communities and island food security. 2. Regarding wastewater disposal. Please see response to question #7 above. 3. Regarding Traffic impacts. Fair share contributions for each lot of$15,636.59 will help to mitigate the potential impacts from the proposed project relating to parks and recreation, fire, police, solid waste disposal facilities and roads. Certainly, traffic is a concern, but it has to be weighed with the potential benefits of the proposed project. This project is proposed in an area designated for urban