PD Background Report HICDC (PL-REZ-2023-054)

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Development Plan states that, "self-help homes and other affordable housing projects should be located on lands that are within the Low Density Urban areas on the LUPAG map. In North Kohala, the Village Centers ofHawi, Kapa`au, Halawa and Niuli`i are designated Low Density Urban." 11. Special Management Area (SMA): The Special Management Area is a part of the Coastal Zone Management Program and regulated by the County. The subject parcels are located over one mile from the nearest shoreline and are not situated within the SMA. DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT PROPERTIES AND SURROUNDING AREA 12. Rezone Area: The rezone area, totaling 18.38 acres of land is irregularly shaped, gently slopes to the north (makai), and is currently devoid of any structures or improvements. 13. Surrounding Zoning/Land Uses: Lands to the north are larger agricultural lots zoned A-20a consists mainly of agricultural uses with scattered dwellings. Lands directly to the south are zoned RS-7.5 and consist of the first two phases of the Kumakua Self Help subdivision. To the west is a property zoned A-20a, and further west are properties zoned RS-15 and CV-10 in Hawi. To the east are properties zoned A-20a and RS-15. The Kohala Elementary and High Schools are located 600 feet to the east on lands zoned RS-15. 14. Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii (ALISH): The majority of the project site is designated Prime Agricultural Land. Portions of the eastern section of the project site are designated Other Important Agricultural Land and Unclassified. 15. Land Study Bureaus Detailed Land Classification Systems: "B" or"Very Good". 16. U.S. Soil Survey: Kohala silty clay, 3 to 12 percent slopes (KhC). Runoff is slow to medium, and the erosion hazard is slight to moderate. 17. Flood Zone: Flood Zone "X", or an area of minimal flood hazard. 18. Floral/Faunal Resources: According to the applicant, the entire parcel has been previously utilized for sugar cane cultivation between 1862 and 1973 and has been cleared and graded. Since the closure of the Kohala Sugar Company in 1973, the property has been utilized for cattle grazing. The predominant vegetation type on the property is characterized as pastureland comprised of a mixed grass and herb association with scattered shrubs. The vegetation of the site is dominated by introduced or alien species with no candidate,proposed, or listed threatened or endangered species identified -3-