HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD RECOMMENDATION REPORT R Wang SMA_June 2024
COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATION
TIELI WANG
SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA USE PERMIT APPLICATION
(PL-SMA-2024-000058)
Upon careful review of the applicant's request against the guidelines for granting of a Special
Management Area Use Permit, the Planning Director recommends that this request to
construct three (3), three-story, single-family dwellings and related improvements; one
single-family dwelling will be constructed on each parcel totaling 24,250 square feet of land
situated within the Special Management Area be approved by the Planning Commission.
Since this recommendation is made without the benefit of public testimony, the Director reserves
the right to modify and/or alter this recommendation based upon additional information
presented at the public hearing. This approval recommendation is based on the following:
The applicant requests a Special Management Area Use Permit to develop the following
improvements:
Parcel 44:
First level to consist of parking only, second and third levels to consist of living areas and
balconies. Residence to contain five (5) bedrooms and twelve (12) bathrooms. Total
Parking area of three thousand and four (3004) square feet. Total living area of six
thousand and eight (6008) square feet. Balcony area of three hundred fifty two (352)
square feet. Total area of nine thousand three hundred sixty four(9364) square feet.
Parcel 45 and Parcel 46 (same design, one for each parcel
First level to consist of parking only, second and third levels to consist of living areas and
balconies. Residence to contain five (5) bedrooms and eight(8)bathrooms. Total Parking
area of two thousand two hundred and eighty (2280) square feet. Total living area of four
thousand five hundred and sixty (4560) square feet. Balcony area of two hundred and
forty (240) square feet. Total area of seven thousand and eighty (7080) square feet.
The construction of the three residences is similar. All will be built on concrete
slab with concrete support walls at first floor, the remainder of the construction will be
standard wood framing. Roof construction will be wood framing with metal roofing.
Height at roof midpoints will be approximately thrity five (35) feet, and will not exceed a
maximum of forty (45) feet. The closest of the three parcels (Parcel 44) is approximately
two hundred and fifty (250) feet from the shoreline and separated from shoreline by
Onekahakaha Beach Park. The other two parcels are mauka of Parcel 44 and
approximately three hundred and eighty (380) feet from the shoreline. The residences
will respect parcel setbacks of twenty (20) foot front and rear setbacks and twelve (12)
foot side setbacks as required for three stories. A septic system for each residence will be
installed on its lot as approved byt the DOH.
The grounds for approving development within the Special Management Area are
based on HRS, Chapter 205A-26(2) (Special Management Area guidelines) and Rule 9-
11(e) of the Planning Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure. Planning
Commission Rule 9-11(e) states that the Authority (Planning Commission) may permit
the proposed development only upon finding that:
1. The development will not have any substantial adverse environmental or ecological
effect except as such adverse effect is minimized to the extent practicable and is
clearly outweighed by public health, safety or compelling public interest;
2. The development is consistent with the objectives and policies and the Special
Management Area guidelines as provided by Chapter 205A, HRS;
3. The development is consistent with the General Plan, Community Plan, Zoning Code
and other applicable ordinances;
4. The development will, to the extent feasible, reasonably protect native Hawaiian
rights if they are found to exist, including specific factual findings regarding:
a. The identity and scope of valued cultural historical or natural resources in the
petition area, including the extent to which traditional and customary native
Hawaiian rights are exercised in the petition area;
b. The extent to which those resources including traditional and customary
native Hawaiian rights, will be affected or impaired by the proposed action;
and
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c. The feasible action, if any, to be taken by the Authority to reasonably protect
any valued cultural, historical or natural resources including any existing
traditional and customary native Hawaii rights.
In review of the SMA guidelines as listed under HRS 205A-26(2)(A), the
proposed development will not have any substantial adverse environmental or
ecological effect, except as such adverse effect is minimized to the extent practicable
and clearly outweighed by public health, safety, or compelling public interest. In
considering the significance of potential environmental effects, the Director shall
consider the sum of those effects that adversely affect the quality of the environment and
shall evaluate the overall and cumulative effects of the action on the Special Management
Area. Such adverse effects shall include, but not be limited to, the potential cumulative
impact of individual developments, each one of which taken in itself might not have a
substantial adverse effect and eliminate planning options.
The proposed project did not meet the criteria in State law for the requirement of
an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. While the subject
parcels are located within the Special Management Area, no work is proposed within the
shoreline setback area. Additionally, no work is proposed within the State Right-of-Way
(ROW) and as such,no HRS 343 trigger was identified.
The Project is set back from the coastline by a minimum of 250 feet to the nearest
development, which will be the residence and septic system on Parcel 44. This project
will not affect beach processes, artificially fix the shoreline or interfere with public access
and views to and along the shoreline. Site specific Best Management Practices (`BMPs")
will be developed by the contractor in order to mitigate any potential for project-related
impacts to the nearshore marine environments, inlcuding, but not limited to the use of
construction and silt barriers.
In review of the SMA guidelines as listed under HRS 205A, the proposed
development is consistent with the objectives and policies as provided by Chapter
205A, HRS, and Special Management Area guidelines contained in Rule No. 9 of the
Planning Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure.
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The purpose of Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) and Special
Management Area Rules and Regulations of the County of Hawaii, is to preserve,
protect, and where possible, to restore the natural resources of the coastal zone areas.
Therefore, special controls on development within an area along the shoreline are
necessary to avoid permanent loss of valuable resources and the foreclosure of
management options. The objectives and policies of Chapter 205A, HRS include, but are
not limited to, the protection of coastal recreational resources, historic resources, scenic
and open space resources, coastal ecosystems, marine resources, beaches, and controlling
development in coastal hazard areas.
Coastal Recreational Resources: Only one of the subject parcels (Parcel 44) is
located adjacent to the Onekahakaha Beach Park which is frequently used for recreational
activities. The remining two (2) parcels are located mauka of Parcel 44 and Machida
Lane, with the development more than 200 feet from the shoreline. The proposed project
will not interfere with Park activities or impact on the shoreline access in this area.
Historic and Cultural Resources: Although no commissioned archaeological
survey of the site was conducted, it is highly unlikely that any historic sites would be
found on the property as the parcel has been previously developed and cleared in the past.
Historic and cultural uses in this area include the beach park located adjacent to the
developed subdivision. The proposed project will have no affect on park uses and
activities and only borders the parking lot for the park.
Scenic and Open Space Resources: Scenic views of the ocean from Onekahakaha
Beach Park will not be impacted by the proposed development. The proposed
development will be in concert with the existing single-family dwellings and related
improvements of the existing subdivision.
Coastal Ecosystems, Marine Resources, Beaches: The proposed project, located
approximately 200-300 feet from the shoreline, will be developed in accordance with the
construction Best Management Practices to minimize adverse impacts to air pollution,
sedimentation, erosion, control stormwater runoff, and wastewater management. A DOH
approved IWS will be installed, one for each dwelling.
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Coastal Hazards: The project site is not a shoreline parcel; however, it is located
adjacent to a beach park, and within the Tsunami Evacuation Zone. A Civil Defense siren
is located approximately 850 feet southeast of the project area. Evacuation would be via
Kalaniana`ole Highway.
Investigation of valued resources: Previous approvals for land development on
this parcel have not revealed any historic resources on the subject parcel. Staff notes that
this property has undergone ground disturbance and clearing of the parcel during the
prior development and land management activities.
The valuable cultural, historical, and natural resources found in the area:
The primary resource in the immediate area is the Onekahakaha Beach Park
which is located adjacent to the subdivision which holds the subject parcels. The
applicant states that no valuable cultural or historic resources exist on the parcel due to its
small size and previous impacts. The proposed project will not impact or affect the use of
Beach Park or surrounding shoreline area.
Possible adverse effects or impairment of valued resources: There is no evidence
that the flora in the area is particularly desired or used for cultural practices as the site has
a history of disturbance and development. The vegetation of the site is primarily non-
native species and is overgrown even after significant clearing some time ago. The
project will not impact access to the park, or any use visitors to the park may enjoy.
Feasible actions to protect native Hawaiian rights: The proposed development will
not restrict access to, and the use of natural resources at the Park and to ensure
preservation, a condition of approval has also been added to protect any unidentified
cultural, historical, and natural resources in the event any are encountered during
construction. To the extent that traditional and customary native Hawaiian rights are
exercised, the proposed action will not affect traditional Hawaiian rights.
Lastly, this approval is made with the understanding that the applicant remains
responsible for complying with all other applicable government requirements in
connection with the approved use, prior to its commencement or establishment upon the
subject property. Additional governmental requirements may include the issuance of
building permits, the installation of approved wastewater disposal systems, compliance
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with Fire Code, installation of improvements required by the American with Disabilities
Act (ADA), among many others. Compliance with all applicable governmental
requirements is a condition of this approval; failure to comply with such requirements
will be considered a violation that may result in enforcement action by the Planning
Department and/or the affected agencies.
Based on the above findings, the proposed development will not have substantial adverse
impacts on the environment, nor will its approval be contrary to the objectives and policies of
Chapter 205A, HRS, relating to Coastal Zone Management and Rule No. 9 of the Planning
Commission relating to the Special Management Area.
Approval of this request is subject to the following conditions:
1. The applicant(s), its successor(s) or assign(s) (Applicant) shall be responsible for
complying with all of the stated conditions of approval.
2. The Applicant shall secure all necessary approvals and permits from other affected
Federal, State, and County agencies as necessary to comply with all applicable laws and
regulations.
3. Construction and operation of each of the three (3) single-family dwellings shall be
conducted in a manner that is substantially representative of plans and details as
contained within the Special Management Area Use Permit application dated May 3,
2024, and representations made to the Windward Planning Commission.
4. Construction of the proposed development shall be completed within five (5) years from
the effective date of this permit.
5. The Applicant shall comply with Chapter 27 - Flood Control, of the Hawaii County
Code.
6. All earthwork and grading shall conform to Chapter 10, Erosion and Sedimentation
Control of the Hawaii County Code.
7. The Applicant shall not, at any time, impede or otherwise restrict public access to the
shoreline at Onekahakaha Beach Park located adjacent to the project area.
8. Artificial light from exterior lighting fixtures, including, but not necessarily limited to
floodlights, up-lights or spotlights used for decorative or aesthetic purposes shall be
prohibited if the light directly illuminates, or is directed to project across property
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boundaries toward, the shoreline and ocean waters, except as may otherwise be permitted
pursuant to Section 205A-71(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes.
9. All development generated runoff shall be disposed of on site and shall not be directed
toward any adjacent properties.
10. The Applicant will ensure that each of the proposed dwellings obtain approval from the
State Department of Health for three (3) separate Individual Wastewater Systems prior to
occupancy.
11. During construction, measures shall be taken to minimize the potential of both fugitive
dust and runoff sedimentation. Such measures shall be in compliance with construction
industry standards and practices utilized during construction projects of the State of
Hawai`i.
12. In the event that surface or subsurface historic resources, including human skeletal
remains, structural remains (e.g. rock walls, terraces, platforms, etc.), cultural deposits,
marine shell concentrations, sand deposits, or sink holes are identified during the
demolition and/or construction work, cease work in the immediate vicinity of the find,
protect the find from additional disturbance and contact the State Historic Preservation
Division at (808) 933-7651. Subsequent work shall proceed upon an archaeological
clearance from DLNR-SHPD when it finds that sufficient mitigation measures have been
taken.
13. An initial extension of time for the performance of conditions within this permit may be
granted by the Planning Director upon the following circumstances:
A. The non-performance is the result of conditions that could not have been
foreseen or are beyond the control of the applicant, successors or assigns, and
that are not the result of their fault or negligence.
B. Granting of the time extension would not be contrary to the General Plan or
Zoning Code.
C. The granting of the time extension would not be contrary to the original
reasons for the granting of this permit.
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D. The time extension granted shall be for a period not to exceed the period
originally granted for performance (i.e., a condition to be performed within
one year may be extended for up to one additional year).
E. If the applicant should require an additional extension of time, the Planning
Department shall submit the applicant's request to the Planning Commission
for appropriate action.
14. Should any of the foregoing conditions not be met or substantially complied with in a
timely fashion,the Planning Director may initiate procedures to revoke the permit.
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