Communication No. 2017-04- Open Space Network Subcommittee Report November

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Communication no. 2017-04 Page 3 • Anchialine ponds, sensitive ecological areas; • Forest or natural area reserves, watershed management areas, critical habitats, game management areas; • Floodways, natural drainage areas, and flood zones suitable for inclusion. • Suggested connections to open space areas outside the urban area open space network where those connections are naturally contiguous. 4. Develop recommendations for implementing the open space network that: • Prioritize project implementation and property acquisition based on significant value, extensive public use, imminent threat of development, no other alternative means of protection and other agreed on criteria. • Articulate key policy revisions and mechanisms needed to achieve the open space network vision such as: o Regulations and incentives o Transfer of development rights policy and transfer areas (sending and receiving) o Stormwater management policies o Urban forest policies including species selection, installation and maintenance o Policies for sidewalks, urban trails and bikeways including those along roadways and in new developments • Identify appropriate funding and legal mechanisms including recommendations for creating the Kona Treasures Fund nonprofit. Additional Considerations: Need to determine the Open Space Network Program's overall management and funding, and how it integrates with other programs called for in the KCDP. These include amongst others: o Kona Treasures Fund o Kona Mauka Watershed Partnership Program o County Cultural Resources Commission o Anchialine Ponds Management Program o Stormwater Management Program o Adopt -a -Corridor Program o The Official Transportation Network Map and Multi -Modal System Other considerations needed include: o Utilizing legal mechanisms such as conservation easements, public access easements, zoning overlays, development agreements, etc. o Consulting with land owners and developers to determine appropriate open space areas within private parcels o Identifying stewards for maintaining select portions of the open space network o Connecting with future open space networks beyond the Kona Urban Area