PD Background Report (PL-SMA-2022-000023)

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bare pahoehoe lava edge serves as a natural physical barrier between human encroachment upon sea life and the ocean's recurring ferocity. Nonetheless, Applicants are taking extensive effort to mitigate any negative impacts upon the shoreline and ocean, as described below in Section H, F. A total area of approximately 8,000 square feet or about 0.2 acres of the 0.49 acreage of the subject property will be used for the construction of the home and its related improvements, including the areas of the driveway, septic system, potable water system and construction staging areas. Special care will be undertaken to protect the shoreline setback areas. B. The relationship of the proposed action to land use plans,policies and control of the affected area. It can be confidently stated that the proposed residential use of the subject property is directly related to land use plans,policies and control of HPP in particular and Puna in general. As noted in Section I,E,the storage of vacant properties,for investment purposes or otherwise,within HPP serves no real use, and in fact contributes to the lack of housing in the area, and also infrastructure. The unfortunate fact is that much of HPP still needs to be developed with housing, let alone necessary commercial districts. This lack of build-out negatively impacts local residents. Section I, E discusses in detail the relationship between building out HPP and the policies enumerated in the General Plan, Community Development Plans and HPP Community Master Plan. Developing the subject property with the proposed residential home directly serves the land use plans,policies and control of HPP and the Puna District. C. The probable impact of the proposed actions on the environment. Building a residential home on a vacant wooded lot in HPP will have a beneficial impact upon the environment. As noted in Section I,J, Floral Resources,the subject property is saturated with invasive and non-native flora.Applicants intend to remove the invasive flora and replace trees and bushes with native species. The invasive wooded lot has pushed out native flora and the ripping and grading of the vacant lot will serve to renew the property to a native setting. The probable impact does include preparation of the property. Grubbing and grading will occur in the areas of the driveway and parking area; the areas of the well; house foundation; construction staging area and the areas of the trenching required for the septic system and water transmission lines, comprising a total area of approximately 8,000 square feet or just under 0.20 acres. The proposed residence, including the driveway approach, has been designed and planned to fit the site including the required setbacks. Extracted material from trenching and removal of non-natives brush and trees will be shredded and chipped and used to cover the ground and reduce dust and runoff during construction of the residence. As noted above in Section I, G, the well is located on the far northwest corner of the property. Additionally, the overhead lines for conveying power, telecommunication and CATV to the home will be aligned with the southeastern property alongside the neighboring existing utility lines to minimize any visual impact on the existing properties.Further, extracted material from the Page 14 Attachment to SMA Major Use Permit Application of Kerr/Gleason,TMK: (3) 1-5-058 : 053 14