HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm. No. 2018-03 Pre-Consultation for Draft Environmental Assessment for the Pahoa Library Site SelectionComm. No. 2018-03
G70
925 Bethel Street January 5, 2018
5th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
808.523.5866 Subject: Pre -Consultation for Draft Environmental Assessment
www.gMdesign Pahoa Public Library Site Selection (Puna, Island of Hawai'i, Hawai'i)
Dear Participant:
On behalf of the State of Hawai'i Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), G70 is
currently undertaking the preparation of a Draft Environmental Assessment for the Pahoa Public
Library Site Selection.
Currently, the Puna region is served by three libraries, the Kea'au Public and School Library, the
Mountain View Public and School Library, and the Pahoa Public and School Library. All three of
these libraries are located in school complexes on State of Hawai'i Department of Education
(DOE) land parcels due to a previous agreement between the Hawai'i State Public Library System
(HSPLS) and the DOE. However, due to both the nature of school security issues, as well as the
growing population in the Puna region, the HSPLS is looking to locate public libraries off of DOE
campuses.
The capital improvement project (CIP) budget for a new Puna District Regional Library was
appropriated by Act 122, SLH 2014, in fiscal year 2014-2015. Three community focus group
meetings were held in Kea'au, Mountain View, and Pahoa in October 2015 to gauge public input
regarding desired uses and services to be provided by a new regional library. After meeting with
community focus groups, HSPLS determined that two new libraries will better meet the needs of
the Puna District instead of one regional library. One library will be located in Pahoa and the
other will be located in Kea'au, in order to more adequately address the safety, environmental,
and library use concerns of the Puna District. Based on the original request, the current CIP budget
appropriation is allocated to the Pahoa area. HSPLS will be requesting additional funding to
support the second library in Kea'au.
Candidate Sites identified by the HSPLS were evaluated based on a range of criteria such as site
characteristics, utilities, access, environment, planning and zoning, and community effects, in
order to determine the most ideal site for the new Pahoa Public Library. Three finalist sites listed
below were selected as a result of the evaluation process, with Site 1 being the preferred site (Refer
to Figure 1.1 of the attachment).
Site 1 - Pahoa Fire Station/Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Site 2 - Pahoa District Park
Site 3 — Highway 130 Mauka (DLNR)
Once a site has been selected, the new Pahoa Public Library is expected to be completed in one
phase with approximately 9,000 square feet of enclosed and semi -enclosed building area and 30
parking stalls.
This initial consultation process is being conducted to engage agencies and interested parties in
the environmental review process of the three finalist sites. Enclosed, for your review and
comment, is a handout providing a project information summary and overview of the proposed
action. Please provide comments via email, fax, or U.S. Mail regarding the scope of the
environmental assessment. We would like to receive these comments no later than February 5,
2018. Comments received subsequent to this deadline will still be considered.
ARCHITECTURE ; CIVIL ENGINEERING /i INTERIOR DESIGN /i PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT
Page 2 of 2
GROUP 70 INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Christine Mendes Ruotola, AICP, LEED AP
Principal
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Thank you for your participation in the pre -consultation for this environmental review pro(
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Sincerely,
GROUP 70 INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Christine Mendes Ruotola, AICP, LEED AP
Principal
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Pahoa Public Library Site Selection
Pre -consultation for Draft Environmental Assessment
This Pre -consultation Summary has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of
Chapter 343, HRS and Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Department of Health, which sets
forth the requirements for the preparation of environmental assessments.
1.1 PROJECT INFORMATION SUMMARY
Type of Document:
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Project Name:
Pahoa Public Library Site Selection
Proposing and Determining
State of Hawaii
Agency:
Department of Accounting and General Services
1151 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
CH. 343, HRS Trigger:
Use of State or County Lands and Funding
Project Location:
Pahoa, Puna District, Island of Hawaii
Tax Map Key:
Site 1: (3) 1-5-007:017
Site 2: (3) 1-5-002:020
Site 3: (3)1-5-oo&oo1
Fee Landowner:
Site is State of Hawaii (EO No.4073 to County of
Hawaii)
Site 2: County of Hawaii
Site 3: State of Hawaii (DLNR)
Project Area:
Site is Approximately 5 Acres
Site 2: Approximately 5 Acres
Site 3: Approximately 5 Acres
State Land Use District:
Site is Agricultural District
Site 2: Agricultural District
Site 3: Agricultural District
County of Hawaii General
Plan Land Use Pattern
Allocation Guide (LUPAG)
Site is Extensive Agriculture
Site 2: Urban Expansion
Site 3: Extensive Agriculture
Puna Community Site is Agricultural/"Regional Town Center"
Development Plan: Site 2: County Park and Master Plan
Site 3: Agricultural
County of Hawaii Zoning: Site is A -la, Agricultural - minimum one acre
Site 2: A -la, Agricultural - minimum one acre
Site 3: A-2oa, Agricultural - minimum 20 acres
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Pahoa Public Library Site Selection
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Special Management Area: Site is Outside SMA
Site 2: Outside SMA
Site 3: Outside SMA
Flood Zone: Site is Zone X (area outside floodplain)
Site 2: Zone X (area outside floodplain)
Site 3: Zone X (area outside floodplain)
Anticipated Determination: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
1.2 OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED PROJECT
The HSPLS is planning to acquire five acres of land for the new Pahoa Public Library. The
construction and site improvements for the new library will require approximately two and a
half acres of land. The five -acre site will provide flexibility for building placement. The
improvements will include 8,000 square feet (SF) of enclosed, air-conditioned, interior space
and i,000 SF of interior -exterior entry lanai activity area. The enclosed space will include the
following function areas:
Interior Public Space
• Central hub — self service area, news zone, co -working zone, Friends of Library space
• Quiet zone — study areas and computer stations
• Busy zone - lounge area and computer stations
• Keiki area — unique activity space and computer stations
• Restroom and maintenance
Staff Area
Open workroom/lounge
Manager's office
• Storage/maintenance
• Circulation and support
Community Use Space
• Multi-purpose room/dividable meeting rooms
The new library will also include exterior spaces which may include a community garden, non -
book collection, courtyard, bookmobile area, food truck/concessions, drop-off area, outdoor
lockers. Parking of approximately 30 stalls will be provided as required for a library of this size.
1.3 PROJECT SITE
Site 1 Pahoa Fire Station/Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Site 1 is located on Tax Map Key (TMK) 1-5-007:017 to the north of Highway 13o, approximately
1/4th of a mile before the Pahoa Bypass Road roundabout (Figure 1.2). Currently owned by the
State, the 19.5 -acre parcel was set aside under Governor's Executive Order (EO) No. 4073 to the
County in 2004 for public safety, recreation, and other public purposes. The Fire Station and
DMV take up approximately 5 acres of the 19.5 acre site, with the remaining 14.5 acres currently
unused. The southeastern quarter of the site is vacant and fronts Highway 130, in line with the
current civic facilities. Usage of a portion of the land from the EO would require the
concurrence of the County of Hawaii. The site is located at an elevation of 604 to 6o6 feet above
mean sea level (MSL) with an average slope of 2.0% from southwest to northeast. Pahoa Town
is located approximately one (1) mile to the southeast.
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Pahoa Public Library Site Selection
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Site 2 Pahoa District Park
The Pahoa District Park site is located on Tax Map Key (TMK) 1-5-002:02o and is owned by the
County of Hawaii (Figure 1.3). The 71 -acre site is located to the south of the main Pahoa urban
commercial core, adjacent to a residential housing development off Kauhale Street. The parcel is
located near the Pahoa Community Center, with the surrounding lands to the west and south
currently undeveloped. The site is located at an elevation between foo and 704 feet above MSL
and slopes from southwest to northeast at 2.0% to 4.o% grade. The parcel is currently a
functioning County District Park. The addition of a library to the project site would potentially
be situated at either the future Community Center location or near the third undeveloped
baseball field area.
The Pahoa Park Expansion Master Plan Final Environmental Assessment (EA), prepared by
PBR Hawaii in December 2013, describes a two-phase expansion plan for the district park
facility. Phase I of the park was completed in 2017, and Phase 11 is currently undeveloped, with
the timing of Phase II completion currently unlmown. The HSPLS has identified the future
Community Center location in Phase II of the Master Plan (Facility number 24) as the most
ideal location for the library site within the Park Master Plan. If Phase H does not reach
completion by the time of the library's design process, an alternate site would be considered
adjacent to Phase I in place of the ball field Facility number 17 for purposes of cost savings for
clearing, grubbing, and infrastructure quantities.
Site 3 Highway 130 Mauka (Dgprtment of Lands and Natural Resources)
Site 3 is located mauka of Highway 130, approximately 0.4 miles to the northwest of the
intersection of Niaulani Street and Highway 130. Site 3 is a 5 -acre highway -adjacent portion of a
larger 5,125 acre DLNR-owned site, which is currently vacant. The site has slopes ranging from
1.0% to 2.0% with elevations ranging from 592 to 603 feet above MSL. The site is located 1.5
miles north of Pahoa Town (Figure 1.4).
1.4 PURPOSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
This Environmental Assessment is required pursuant to Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes
(HRS), the Environmental Impact Statement Rules, Title 11, Chapter 200 of the Hawaii
Administrative Rules (HAR). This EA provides written evaluation of the technical,
environmental, social and economic aspects of the proposed project. This EA identifies the
possible impacts of the proposed project and their significance. Strategies to mitigate those
potential impacts and possible alternatives to the proposed project are also identified. This EA
then compares potential project impacts against 13 significance criteria listed in §11-200-12 to
provide a determination as to whether an Environmental Impact Statement shall be required or
not.
1.5 AGENCIES AND PUBLIC CONTACTED IN PRE -CONSULTATION
The following agencies and groups will be consulted for this consultation period.
Federal Agency
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
State of Hawaii Agencies
State Department of Accounting and General Services
State Department of Agriculture
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Pdhoa Public Library Site Selection
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State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism — Energy Division
State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism — Office of Planning
State Department of Defense
State Department of Education
State Department of Hawaiian Homelands
State Department of Health
State Department of Human Services
State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
State Department of Land and Natural Resources
State Department of Land and Natural Resources, State Historic Preservation Division
State Department of Transportation
Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation
Hawaii State Public Library System
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
University of Hawaii Environmental Center
County of Hawaii Agencies
County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
County of Hawaii Department of Fire and Public Safety
County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation
County of Hawaii Department of Planning
County of Hawaii Department of Public Works
County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development
County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply
County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development
County of Hawaii Police Department
Office of the Mayor
State of Hawaii Legislatures
Senator Russell E. Ruderman (D)
Hawaii County Council Members
Valerie T. Poindexter, Council Chair
Eileen O'Hara, Ph.d., Puna District (eastern)
Jen Ruggles, Puna District (western)
Community/Civic Groups
Puna Community Development Action Committee
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Pahoa Public Library Site Selection
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Pahoa Site 3
TMK: 1-5-008:001
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P,OIjIC2 Pahoa Site 1
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Homesteads
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Figure 1.1: Pahoa Public Library Finalist Sites
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Pahoa Public Library Site Selection
Pre -consultation for Draft Environmental Assessment
Figure 1.2: Site 1 Pahoa Fire Station/DMV
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Pdhoa Public Library Site Selection
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Figure 1.4: Site 3 Highway 130 Mauka (DLNR)
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