PD Background Report (PL-SMA-2022-000025)

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15. July 25, 2022: SMA Minor Permit, No. SMM-13-00261 (AMENDED) was approved for the continuation of land and resources management activities and safety improvements along the shoreline, including fencing repair. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS 16. Description of Property: The property and its structures have had a long and varied use. The subject parcels original development was for a sugarcane mill and sugar processing operation which were stored in the warehouse that is currently being renovated by the applicant. The Mill operation ceased in 1974 and both properties sat vacant for ten years before the abandoned mill structures were dismantled and hauled away for scrap iron. Only the unused remnants of the mill foundation, overhead concrete flume structure, train tunnel, cane loading parapet, and the sugar warehouse structure remain on site. After C. Brewer & Co., Ltd. was granted SMA Major 367 in 1996 the property and structures became the corporate offices for that company. A fisherman trail access route was established during that time for public fishing access to the shoreline. Staff notes that there is no safe access to the shoreline, only to a large rock outcrop that is more conducive for fishing and sightseeing of Hilo Bay. In 2013 the Edmund C. Olson Trust No. 2 purchased the properties, and the property was used as executive offices of the Trust and Trustee. The building and grounds were used as an "events center" hosting parties, weddings, corporate meetings, and training venues. These activities were hosted as many as four to six events per month. Since Hawaiian Ola Brewing Corporation's acquisition of the properties in February 2022 the site has been used to complete pre -arranged weddings and meetings that were "booked" by the Trust and as of August 2022 those have now ceased. The property is being used by the applicant for Ki root propagation and engineering studies. 17. Surrounding Zoning/Land Uses: The proposed project area is bordered by the highway to the west, and ocean to the east. The surrounding parcels located adjacent to parcel 002 and across the highway from the main parcel (001) are primarily residential lots with both RS-10 and RS-7.5 (single family residential) as well as agricultural parcels (FA, A) and Open zoned coastal parcels to the north. 18. Coastal Hazards and Flood Zone: The subject properties are primarily within Flood Zone X which represents areas determined to be outside the 500 year flood plain. There is however, a small portion of Parcel 001 located at Ale`ale`a Point which falls into the VE -4-