.PD BACKGROUND REPORT (PL-SMA-2023-000038)

Home

23. Surrounding Zoning/Land Uses: Along the Ali`i Drive frontage, there are resort and resort-related uses and activities surrounding and/or proximate to the subject site. In addition to the Royal Kona Resort Hotel and Kona Reef Condominium, there are also several vacation rental or resort related condominium projects such as Hale Kona Kai, Kona Beach Bungalows, Kona Mansions, and Kona Bill fisher. There are restaurants, commercial offices and retail uses all within 1,000 feet of the subject site. 24. Coastal Hazards and Flood Zone: The subject parcel is located within Flood Zone X which represents areas determined to be outside the 500 year flood plain. The project area is located approximately 125-feet from the shoreline area,therefore there are no anticipated coastal or flood hazards that will significantly impact the project site. 25. Land Study Bureau Soil Rating: The Land Study Bureau overall Master Productivity Rating classifies the soils within the project site as"unclassified". 26. ALISH: The Agricultural Lands of Imporatnce to the State of Hawaii (ALISH)Map does not classify the soils within the project site. 27. Flora/Faunal Resources: The subject parcel has been fully improved and there is little to no vegetation located on site other than introduced vegetation such as Monkey Pod, bougainvillea, and coconut trees. Additionally, as the site falls within a heavily developed urban setting,it does not appear likely thatrare or endangered floral or faunal species would be located on site, and none were observed. 28. Archaeological/ Historical Resources: The site was fully disturbed when the original SMA application(No. 388)was approved in 1998.In a letter dated June 21, 2006, the State Historic Preservation Division(SHPD)provided a determination of"no historic properties will be affected' by the proposed grading of the entire parcel. Subsequently, on March 14, 2019, SHPD confirmed the absence of any studies of the subject parcel, and while SHPD had no objections to the time extensions, they requested an opportunity for review any permits involving ground disturbance. In anticipation of the new SMA application the applicant commissioned an archeological firm to conduct an Archeological Assessment (AA) of the project site. The June 2023 draft AA found "no historical sites or features within the project area". The AA concluded that no further archeological work is recommended. The application and supporting documentation were submitted by the -4-