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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2017-04- Open Space Network Subcommittee Report NovemberCommunication no. 2017-04 November 15, 2017 Attention: Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee Re: Kona Open Space Network Subcommittee Report Following please find the report from the Kona Open Space Network Subcommittee which includes recommendations for moving forward the development of Kona's open space network as described in the 2008 Kona Community Development Plan. The subcommittee met four times on 9/12, 9/29, 10/20 and 11/13 and worked between these meetings to develop this report. Included in the report are the subcommittee's recommended vision, goals, action and additional considerations for Kona's open space network development. It is recommended that this effort initially focus on the Kona urban area, since this is the area of highest development activity. Also attached is an illustrative map included solely as one possible example of potential hubs and links in Kona's open space network, which was created by one of the subcommittee members. The map is for illustration and example purpose only and should not be construed as a recommendation by the subcommittee. The subcommittee would like to acknowledge the contributions from the following community members who also helped with the preparation of this report: Tina Clothier (PATH), Kirstin Kahaloa (Blue Zones Project), Lele Kimball, Mary Metcalf (Ka Ahahui 0 Ka Nahelehele) and Jim Sogi. If the Action Committee concurs, we request that this report be placed on the January 2018 Kona CDP Action Committee agenda for review and discussion. Respectfully submitted, Kari Kimura Shirley David Janice Palma-Glennie Communication no. 2017-04 Page 1 Kona Open Space Network Vision Kona is known for its interconnected open space network, harmoniously integrated in and around its built environment, supporting the health and wellbeing of the community and preserving sensitive natural and cultural resources. The Kona Open Space Network consists of: A living accessible coastal corridor including nearshore waters where residents and visitors alike can enjoy world renowned coastlines, beaches and clean coastal waters; Culturally important natural resource areas that are appropriately stewarded and where traditional cultural practices can continue and thrive; Multifunctional open spaces, corridors and view planes integrated throughout and surrounding the urban area that maintain a sense of place; Regional paths, trails, greenways and greenbelts along contour corridors linked with mauka-makai connectors that create an urban trail network providing enjoyable and functional walking and biking access to open spaces and key destinations; Neighborhoods where residents can walk following natural, shaded corridors to park and playground areas; Learning landscapes for schools, residents and visitors who have access to natural educational spaces and interpretation of culturally significant areas and natural heritage that enhance connection with the land. Goals Create and maintain a network of open spaces in the Kona District urban area that enables public access to nature and encourages healthy, active lifestyles. Create a functional, safe and attractive trail, corridor, bike path and sidewalk network that is separated from traffic where possible and allows movement around Kona with minimal reliance on the automobile. Encourage the rural and agricultural character of Kona with compact and walkable urban centers surrounded by open space. Communication no. 2017-04 Page 2 Goals (continued) Anticipate and mitigate risks from natural hazards, climate change and conflict between built infrastructure and natural processes through appropriate design, policies and enhanced ecosystem services of the open space network. Incorporate shoreline setback areas to the extent practical and available for realizing shoreline linear parks along as much of Kona's coastline as possible. Preserve, restore and steward sensitive natural and cultural resources and native ecosystems that are identified as part of the open space network. Provide interpretative opportunities and educational material in the open space network to help school children, residents and visitors learn, appreciate and interact with Hawaii's natural and cultural resources. (Refer to Appendix A for examples of the vision and goals.) Recommended Action: Hire a consultant who will work with key stakeholders and subject matter experts to: 1. Develop and facilitate a community awareness campaign including targeted outreach and education to elicit community input, buy -in, financial support and stewardship. 2. Identify natural and/or culturally important areas for the Kona urban area open space network that may: • Qualify for development rights transfer sending areas; • Be prioritized for acquisition through PONC or other land trust or land stewardship organizations; • Qualify for funding for protection and restoration through government agencies, the future Kona Treasures Fund nonprofit or other nonprofits; • Be designated as no build or no development areas, natural hazard or climate change mitigation open space buffers, or shoreline no -build setbacks; • Be prioritized in urban areas for compatible green infrastructure, low impact uses or as green belt areas; • Be proposed as desired parks or other open space. 3. Assess, design and create a GIS map of the Kona urban area open space network which will include existing and planned public access (unrestricted or managed) hubs and links, including without limitations and as appropriate: • Cultural, historic, educational and natural heritage sites; • County, state and federal parks and recreational areas; • Greenway corridors, hiking trails, urban trails networks, the Ala Kahakai Trail, planned Na Ala Hele trails, suitable public easement corridors; • Existing and planned bike share facilities and bike paths and lanes; • Shoreline, ocean access and coastline areas suitable for open space or future parks; 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 Communication no. 2017-04 Page 4 Definitions from the KCDP (Note * definitions are added for clarity) Corridor* A lineal geographic area allowing safe access and movement across the landscape for people and wildlife. (Refer to Greenway definition) Flood Corridors Includes FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) 100 -year flood plains and planned flow ways. Greenbelt or Greenway Areas of largely undeveloped, wild agricultural land surrounding or neighboring urban areas. (From KCDP Policy LU -2.2, 3.: The Greenbelt is a strategic planning tool to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open.... The Greenbelt may also serve multi- purpose uses, such as for drainage, sensitive resource preserves or wildfire protection buffers.) Greenfield An area that is undeveloped or used for agriculture. Refers only to undeveloped open space within the Kona Urban Area between TODs, TNDs and infill. Greenway An open space corridor in largely natural conditions which may include trails for bicycles and pedestrians. Open Space —Undeveloped land or water body which is free of structures and equipment, except for those incidental to the land's open space uses. Open space may include the following: flood protection, creating a sense of special separation from incompatible land uses, areas for agricultural operations, passive recreation, active recreation, conservation uses, or historical site preservation. Urban Area The Kona Urban Area spans from the Kona International Airport to Keauhou (*and mauka to Mamalahoa Highway). The majority of future growth shall be directed within this area. Communication no. 2017-04 Page 5 Appendix A. Examples for the Kona Open Space Network Vision and Goals Examples of possible hubs in the open space network: • Educational spaces (interpretive and educational centers, botanical gardens) • Recreational spaces (parks, playgrounds, sports fields, ballparks, skate parks) • Coastal corridor natural areas (beach parks, Kaloko-Honokohau National Park, NELHA, 0' oma, shoreline access areas, snorkeling, diving and surfing areas) • Community gathering spaces (civic centers or plazas, Hale Halawai, community gardens, Makaeo Pavilion) • Protected and managed cultural and historic sites open to the public (heiau, burial grounds, historic sites, sacred landscapes, Hulihee Palace) • Natural or climate change hazard areas identified for buffers, green infrastructure or ecosystem services • Scenic view areas and view planes • Culturally significant natural areas and sensitive natural resource areas Examples of culturally significant natural areas and sensitive natural resource areas • Nearshore marine ecosystems (coral reefs, wetlands, Anchialine ponds) • Native plant ecosystems (dryland forests, coastal region) • Subsistence and gathering landscapes (coastal zone, coconut groves, fish ponds, cordage gardens, la' au lapa'au, kalo lo'i) • Productive agricultural landscapes • Mauka forest watershed recharge areas • Stream and flood channel riparian areas and buffers Examples of possible links in the open space network: • Shorelines (including the KCDP vision of a 17 mile long protected stretch of open coastline from Makaeo north to Kikaua Pt) • Historic, ancient or natural area trails (The National Park's Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, future Na Ala Hele trails) • Walua Road walking and bike path • The old West Hawaii Railroad bed • Walking and biking path along Ane Keohokalole Hwy • Kona Village Grand Alii Esplanade • Linear parks that function as urban trail network, greenbelt or greenway, flood mitigation, native ecosystem corridors, learning landscapes • Regional contour corridors and greenways linked with mauka-makai connector paths • Flood corridors and flood contour swales • Scenic heritage corridors (Alii Drive) • Connections to multimodal transportation hubs and key destinations. Examples of natural hazards or climate change risks that could be mitigated with appropriate open space design, policies or enhanced ecosystem services: • Lava risk • Severe storm or hurricane • Flooding from intense rainfalls Communication no. 2017-04 Page 6 • Erosion and runoff of soils, pollutants and biological hazards • Wildfire • Tsunami • Sea level rise leading to coastal erosion or subsidence • Rising temperatures, humidity and heat index • Strong winds Example strategies to mitigate conflict between built infrastructure and natural processes: • Buffers between incompatible land use such as sensitive coastal and riparian water resources • Buffers around native ecosystem areas • Natural corridors that allow movement of species across the landscape • Natural hazard or climate change no build zones and buffers • Site level design to minimize impervious surface areas; incorporate rainfall capture through bioswales or collection for later irrigation use, etc. • Keyline contour swales in flood areas that overlap with greenway corridors to reduce runoff volume and increase infiltration Examples of ecosystem services provided by green infrastructure and planting of appropriate native or hardy non-invasive trees and vegetation: • Flood control by intercepting, filtering and storing water in natural aquifers (e.g. increase tree canopy cover and infiltration potential) • Reduced erosion and stormwater/pollutant runoff (e.g. using bioswales) thus minimizing harm to ocean reefs and human health • Soil formation and retention • Shade, cooling and windbreaks for enhanced livability and energy conservation • Improved air and water quality • Noise reduction • Traffic calming • Improved psychological health • Conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen and storage of carbon (climate change mitigation) • Beautification, aesthetics and increased property values Examples of benefits from integrating native plants in the open space network: • Links remaining fragments of native ecosystems (dry forest, coastal) via corridors to enhance biodiversity, overall health and long-term sustainability • Mitigate threat of extinction for Hawaii's endangered native flora and fauna species • Provide wildlife habitat and corridors for safe migration • Conserve community character and heritage • Provide support for Hawaiian cultural practices (e.g. subsistence or gathering) • Provide public educational opportunities to interact with nature and learn about native species *Illustrative Map for Example Purposes Only* Kona Open Space Network Contextual Map • Greenways and Bikeways • Shoreline Public Access • State Parks • Hualalai Park (proposal) • County Parks {proposal) 4 Prepared by James Sogi Communication no. 2017-04 Page 7 Appendix B. Open Space Network Example Illustrative Map