PD Background Report Ching (PL-REZ-2023-044)

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The proposed development should not generate any significant and direct air quality impacts. The only discernible air quality impact could be associated with the vehicular traffic to and from the site as well as farm vehicles operating within the project site. While there will be an impact to the ambient air quality, the impact should not be significant. Further, the trade wind patterns in this area should help dissipate any potential air quality impacts. Additionally, with higher EPA standards for automobile air emissions, the air quality impact should not be significant. I. Scenic and Visual Considerations In the Natural Beauty element of the General Plan, there are sites or areas listed as being a scenic resource. The subject site is not listed as a scenic site. However, there were a few examples cited in this area. Most notable would be the views of Mauna Kea and Waipio Valley. The proposed development would not have any visual impact on Mauna Kea. The public view of Mauna Kea in this area is from the Belt Highway. Further, the low density nature of this agricultural project and the height of Mauna Kea, the views of Mauna Kea from the Old Mamalahoa and Belt Highway should be minimal, if at all. Likewise, the view of Waipio Valley from the Old Mamalahoa Highway should not be impacted, as the Valley is not visible from that Highway in this area, and the subject site is located on the opposite side of the Highway. VI. SOCIAL AND RELATED CONSIDERATIONS A. Surrounding Land Uses The land uses in this area are a mixture of rural-urban and non-intensive agricultural uses. The rural-urban area (in spite of their A-9a zoning and State Land Use Agricultural designation) is primarily the non-conforming subdivisions of Waimea Vacationland with lots ranging between 8,000 to 10,000 square feet, the 1-acre Pu'ukapu Acres, Kamuela Lakeland, and Wailani Ranchos. Other properties on the Hamakua side of the subject site are essentially used for cattle grazing and zoned A-40a. (Figure 2) While within the district of Hamakua, the subject site is closer to the Village of Waimea than Honoka'a. It is about four (4) miles to Waimea and six (6) or more miles to Honoka'a. 10