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Major CZM Permit - Land Development Permit Application for Animal Care Center Parcel 14 Remainder Estate Carolina, St. John, Virgin Islands Wey ha Fs Like af rd Ne ft ss ane} wx se Pre ~nt ji Namah hd ry < Ped eau: x= fe-. tae Sy fe OF e Dp Cals Sag -- iia Dy to ae. “Pra. Vo.-."th ane es Ws Let S ons Ral a sah aha dae {2% ae, ia bt * Te M29 hf ii 2) ey a. CIR \F Ye p> a aa Vee at e7 tT en ui Lx At J. hie ke tty” 2 in) <> eRe . a i 1! August 28, 2023 Prepared By: barefoot design group, Ile P.O Box 1772, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands 2.00 3.00 4.00 6.00 7.00 I Table of Contents ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT 1.00 Name-and Address of Applicant Location of Project 2.01 Location Review Map 2.02 Vicinity Map Abstract Statement of Objectives Sought by the Proposed Project Description of Project 5.01 5.02 Summary of Proposed Activity Exhibits and Drawings Setting and Probable Project Impact:on the Natural Kavironment 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.08 6.10. Climate and Weather Landform Geology.and Soils Erosion Control Fresh Water Resources Oceanography Marine Resources and Habitat Assessment Terrestrial Resources Wetlands Rare and Endangered Species Air Quality . linpact of the Proposed Project on the Human Environment. 7.01 7.02 7,04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 The.Land and Water Use Plans Visual Impacts Impacts on Public Service Utilities Social Impacts Economic Impacts . Impacts on Historical atid Archeological Resources Recreational Use ‘Waste Disposal 2.01 2.02 5.02 6.01. 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 7.01 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.07 7.08. 1.00 2.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00. 8.00 9.00 10.00 11.00: i ~ ~ 7.09 Accidental Spills 7.09 7.10 Potential Adverse Effects Which Cannot Be Avoided 7.10 Mitigation Plans 8.00 Alternatives to Proposed Action 9.00 Relationship between Short.and Long Term Uses of Man’s Environment 10.00 References 14.00 Ii OTHER REQUIRED SUBMITTALS Approved Road and Driveway Permit (site entry is from déeded ROW) Permit Application Form (Form L& WD-2) Zoning Requirements Table (Fotm L&WD-3) Major Project Summary Data (L&WD-4) Proof of Legal Interest Letter (Form L&WD-5) Income Tax Clearance Letter (Form L&WD-6) Corporate Application Form (Form L& WD-7) Certificate of Corporate Good Standing Copy of the Deed/Lease/Purchase Agreement/Easement Rights Property tax clearance letter (ftom the Department of Finance). Application Fee(s) A certified list of all property owners within a 150 foot radius-of the pr operty boundaries, including current mailing addresses as exist at the assessor's office. . Letter from the Historic Preservation Officer - SHPO approving -the Phase IB Archeological Resource Survey Proposal. Qualifications and background of designers, engineers, and other professionals involyed with the: project Market Study, analysis and feasibility of the project (non-profit, no market study) NFIP Flood Zone Designation (Form L&WD- -8) 1.00 NAME AND.ADDRESS OF APPLICANTS Animal Care Center of St. John P.O. Box 429 St John, V1 00831 2.00 LOCATION. OF PROJECT The proposed project is located at: Parcel 14 Reni. Estate Carolina Coral Bay Quarter St. John, VI 00830 2.01 LOCATION REVIEW MAP See the Cover sheet and Sheet AO.0 for more information. ATLANTIC OCEAN HAUKENEST FRANCIS Sf BAY BAT woe qs ety Nie hr wag com @ i a, S (io) } ae a, SV CORAL BAT br o CRUZ. BA cx see Bate vet He Net LOCATION Giond nase a A, Ai ge Hy OF PARCEL GREAT De CRUZ BAT \ eh PRS SF tes * is f ‘ REEF BAY CHOCOLATE BAY nig i Gro CARIBBEAN SEA. 2.02 VICINITY MAP See the Cover sheet and Sheet AQ.0 for more information. OF PARCEL CORAL BAY 3.00 ABSTRACT The Animal Care Center (ACC) on St. John.proposes to build ‘an animal clinic, animal shelter, and residence on. Parcel 14 Rem Estate Carolina on'an undeveloped parcel of land. The ACC and parking area are intended to appeal to the community of Coral Bay as well.as visitors to the island. Most of the site will remain undeveloped allowing ample area to. walk the.dogs on leash. There will be a conference room that will be available to host town mieetings and community. training. The residence will. house an ACC employee year round. The project shall be highly storm resistant, low mhaintenancé, and shall incorporate technologies to reduce energy use (net neutral 4.00 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES SOUGHT BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT The objective of the project is to build high quality. safe, and efficient animal care center for the community St. John. 1t is also the intent of the project to minimize the social and. environmental impact by carefully designing.a project that responds’ to ecological site conditions. _ 5.00 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT The proposed project shall be a single building and 18 parking spaces on permeable pavers. The 2.309 acre parcel.is zoned R-2. with a variance per Act 8727 which allows for an animal care center. The maximum building height is 2 stories. The construction shall be concrete walls and concrete floors for durability as well as storm and fire resistance. The siting of the building is intended to have an appealing view from the street while avoiding an active gut. 5.01 SUMMARY OF PROJECT a. Purpose of project. The purpose.of this project is to build a. much needed larger animal shelter-for the Coral Bay Community and St. John. b. Critical areas and possible trouble spots. As noted on the site plan, a gut runs though the property. We have sited be building: 78 fect away from the centerline of the gut. This is well out of the 30 feet from centerline required by code. ‘c. Proposed method of land clearing. All land clearing shall be coordinated with: proposed plans and shall follow all DPNR guidelines.. Preliminary clearing shall be by hand and, after review, equipment shall excavate the foundation. Care will be taken to protect existing trees, d. Provisions to preserve topsoil.and limit site disturbance. All top.soil shall be. stock piled and protected by-geo-textile fabric for later use. Site disturbance shall be kept at a minimum as well as required by compHiance to the 1995 Virgin Island Environmental Protection Handbook and the recommendations of the Cooperative Extension Services. e. Erosion and sedimentation control devices to be implemented. All measures outlined by the 1995 Virgin Island Environmental Proteétion. Handbook, of the Cooperative Extension Services shall be followed, as well as those outlined in the Environmental Guidelines. A silt fence: is shown encompassing the site on the downhill side, See AQ.0 Site Plan. {. Schedule for earth changing activities and implementation of erosion and sediment control méasures. ‘The construction will commence after approval of the CZM and Building permits. and any other required permit approvals, It is anticipated that the construction shal! take approximately twenty four (24) months. All recommended erosion contro] measures shall be installed prior to the beginning of work and shall be maintained until] work is complete. g. Maintenance of erosion and sediment control devices.. ‘The maintenance of all erosion and sediment control measures shall fully comply with Virgin Island Environmental Protection Handbook,1995 and the Cooperative Extension Services: The drawings indicate that the mitigation. measures (silt fences and berms) shall be inspected weekly and addressed as needed. h. Method of stormwater management. Given the size.of the.property and the mitigation measures that encompass the site: very little-stormwater shall accuniulate or leave the property. With the use of permeable pavers, almost all storm water will flow back into:the ground. All rainwater that lands on building roofs shall be collected directed into cisterns. Overflow from cisterns shall be dissipated to avoid erosion. i. Maintenance of the stormwater facilities. The maintenance of the stormwater facilities shall fully comply with 1995 Virgin: Island Environmental Protection Handbook and the Cooperative Extension Services: J. Method of sewage disposal. All sewage.treatment shall be handied by aerated treatment units (ATUs), aka mini- treatment. septic systems, a proven.and accepted method of sensitive wastewater management for many years, this system is-also accepted by the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard, and Virgin Island’s DPNR. One (1) 750gpd three-tank ATU system is located ‘onthe property. They will be easily accessible for inspections and maintenance. Outflow greywater shall be used for subsurface irrigation. 5.02 SITE PLANS, EXHIBITS, & DRAWINGS | See Drawings Index. located on the submitted Cover Sheet: Cover Sheet A0.0 Site Plan and Site Details Surveyed Site Plan ALO Foundation Plan Al.l First Level-Floor Plan AL.2 Upper Level Floor Plan Al3 Roof Plan A2.0 Elevations. A2.1 Sectionis. 5.03 PROJECT WORK PLAN a. Identification of subprojects and activities: 1. Site Preparation - Prior to any and all earth work, the perimeter of the buildings shall be located by the surveyor and sediment control devices will] be installed. At the same time the property shall be’hand cleared of weeds. and overgrowth that nay make visibility difficult. 2,. Demolition of existing — No existing structures:on site.. 3. Septic aréa’~ Excavate work area, form footings.and slabs, place conerete. 4. Foundation and Cistern Level - Excavate work aréa, backfill lower work, form footings and slabs, place.concrete. 5. Lower Level.- Excavate work area, backfill lower work, form footings and slabs, place concrete. 6.- Second Level - Form slabs,-place concrete. 7. Roof Level ~ Frame and sheath. Place metal roofing. 8. Doors and Windows - Install exterior doors and windows 9. Exterior Finishes - Plaster exterior surfaces and install exterior materials including roof membrane. 10. Interior Finishes and Fixtures - Plaster interior surfaces and install interior materials, install interio doors. | 11. Cabinetry and Appliances - Instal! cabinetry, electrical. fixtures, and plumbing fixtures. 12. Close Permits - Apply and inspect for final inspections and CO. 13. Furniture - Install furniture. ‘b. Phasing of subprojects and activities: a. Site Preparation - Expected task duration 1 week. Septic area - Expected task duration 1 week. . Foundation and Cistern Level - Expected task duration 6 weeks. Lower Level - Expected task duration 8 weeks. Second Level - Expected task duration 6 weeks. Roof Level - Expected*task duration 3 weeks. Doors.and Windows - Expected task duration 3 weeks. . Exterior Finishes - Expected task duration 6 weeks. Interior Finishes and Fixtures - Expected task duration 8 weeks. Cabinetry and Appliances - Expected task duration 4 weeks. Close Permits - Expected task duration 2 week. Furniture - Expected task duration 3 weeks, 6.00 SETTING AND PROBABLE PROJECT IMPACTS ON THE NATURAL: ENVIRONMENT The information contained herein-spéaks of the existing site conditions, the . relationship of the proposed project to the site, the potential effects on the natural and man-made. environments, and mitigation plans to be instituted to reduce and/or prévent impacts to those environments. 6.01 CLIMATE AND WEATHER Prevailing Winds The Virgin Islands lie in the "Easterliés" or "Trade Winds” which traverse the southern part.of the "Bermuda High" pressure'area, thus the predominant winds are usually from the east north-east and east (IRF, 1977). These trade winds vary. seasonally and are broadly divided into 4 seasonal modes: 1) December to F ebruary; 2) March to May; 3) June to August; and 4) September to November. Below are the characteristics of these modés-as taken from Marine Environments of the Virgin islands Technical Supplement No. | (IRF, 1977). December - F ebruary During the winter the trade winds: reach a. maximum and blow with g great regularity from the east north-east. Wind speeds.range from éleven to twenty-one. knots about sixty percent of the time in January, This isa period when the Bermuda High is intensified with only nominal compensation pressure changes in the Equatorial Trough. The trade winds during this period are interrupted by “Northerners" or: "Christmas Winds" which blow more than’ twenty knots from a northerly direction in gust ftom one to three days. Such outbreaks average about thirty each year. They are created by strengthening of high pressure cells.over the North American continent which, in turn,allows weak cold fronts to move southeastward over the entire Caribbean region. These storms are accompanied by intermittent rains and.by clouds and low: visibility: for mariners. March -:May During the spring, the trade winds are reduced in speed and blow mainly from the cast. Winds exceed twenty knots-only thirteen percent of the time in April. The change j in speed and direction is the tesult of a. decrease of the Equatorial Trough. June-- August Trade winds reach a: secondary maximum during this period and blow predominantly from the east to east south-east. Speeds exceed twenty knots twenty-three percent of the time during July. The trend for increasing winds results from the strengthening of the Bermuda High anda concurrent lowering of the pressure inthe Equatorial Trough. Trade winds during this period area interrupted by occasional hurricanes. September - November During the fall, winds blow mainly from the cast or southeast and speéds reach an annual minimum. Only seven percent of the winds exceed twenty knots in October. The low speeds result from a decréase in the Equatorial Trough. During this period, especially during late August through mid-October, the normal trade. wind regime is. often broken down by easterly waves, tropical storms and hurricanes. Storm and. Hurricanes There are numerous disturbances during the year, especially squalls and thunderstorms. These occur most fr equently during the summer, lasting only a few hours and causing no pronounced change in the trade winds. A.tropical cyclone whose winds exceed 74 miles per hour is termed a hurricane in the. northern hemisphere, and significantly affects the area. These hurricanes occur most frequently between August and mid-October (Figure 6.01.2) with their peak activity ‘occurring. in September. The annual probability of a cyclone is one in sixteen years (Bowden, 1974). Hurricanes passing within a 125 statute mile circle centering on Charlotte Amalie, U.S., Virgin Islands (18.3 N, 64:9 W) from 1886 through 1990 are listed in Figure 6.01.3 . The tracks of these hurticanes are depicted in Figure 6.01.4 through 6:01.8. (Storm Surge Group, 1992). Since 1990, the Virgin Islands have been impacted by a number of hurricanes with irma and Maria in 2017 being the most severe. Climate. The average annual rainfall on St. Thomas and St. John is approximately 45 inches, ranging from 35 inches toward the éastern end of the islands to more than 55 inches at the higher elevation fo the west. It can be assumed that rain fall on the island would range between 35 and 45 inches annually. The rainfall usually occurs in brief. intense showers of less than-a. few tenths‘ofan inch (Jordan, 1975). February and March are the driest months, and September is the wettest, with nearly half the annual rainfall occurring between August and November (Jordan, 1975). Rainfall - Saint John, VI mate Rainfall (") 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 y; 47" 45 : 4.0, 3.5. 3.027" 25 2.0 1.5 1.0. 0.6 0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual temperatures average 79 degrees Fahrenheit (F), with the winter low averaging 76 degrees F and the summer high reaching an-average of 84 degri es. F, Occasionally, maximum daily temperatures will exceed 90 degrees F and minimum temperatures will drop belaw 70 degrees F (Jordan, 1975). Temperature - Saint John, VI —*— Low Temp. (°F) 9 —-e—~ High Temp. (°F) 88 86°F 8B°F_¢ 84°F 84° 84 ) 82°F 82°F 82° 82 80° 78 76 74 72 rs 70. 58 66 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 6.02 LANDFORMS, GEOLOGY; SOILS, AND HISTORIC USE Landforms The island of St, John is a steep island that has weathered to its current shape, similar the surrounding islands of the area. The hill sides are typically rocky with thin soils. and in the flat areas along the shore, where runoff has collected, rich soil support thick plant life. The north shore of the island is bordered with cliffs- with the exception of the small sandy north shore beach of this proposed project, The south shore is more accessible, being composed of a cobble stone beach, and relatively gentle slopes, . Geology of St: John the Surrounding Cays _ The Virgin Islands are. near the northeastern comer of the present Caribbean Plate. a rélatively small trapezoidal-shaped plate which is moving eastward relative to the North and South American continents carried on the American plate. The are of the Lesser Antilles is an active volcanic-arc above a subduction zone in which the Atlantic oceanic crust of the American Plate is carried downward under the Caribbean Plate. The closest velcano to the Virgin Islands which is still active is Saba, about 160 km to:the cast. St. Thoriias and St. John, are composed of stratified volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks with minor limestone of the Early Cretaceous (A|baiit) to possible the late Cretaceous age (Donnelly 1966). These rocks are granite. composition, some ef which may be.as young as Tertiary (Kesler and Sutter, 19:79); The oldest rocks on St. John are submarine lavas.(ker atophyre arid spilite), beds of volcanic-debris and chert and associated intrusive rocks of the Water Island Formation. Fossils in cherts of the Water [sland Formation indicate that the unit is of Early Cretaceous (Albain) age. The Water Island Formation is overlain. by andesitic volcanic and voleaniclastic rocks of the Louisenhoj Formation which underlies the island ‘of St. Thomas to the east.and much of the northwestern portion of St. John, Donnelly (1966) su ggested that the Louisenhoj Formation was deposited unconformably on.the Water [sland Formation after a period of emergence, tilting and erosion, on the:slopes and environs of a subacrial volcanic island located roughly between St. Thomas and St. John, an area now occupied by Pillsbury. sound. The youngest layered deposits on St. Thomas are volcaniclastic rocks of the Tutu Formation. Fossils contained in the Tutu: Forniation. suggest that those deposits are of the Early Cretaceous (Albain) age (Donnelly etal. 1971), Itappears that all of the volcaniclastic rocks of St. Thomas were deposited in a relatively short period of time spanning 10 to 15. million years approximately 100 milli hon years ago (D. Rankin, 1988), St, John is characterized by an. irregular coastline, numerous bays, steep slopes. and small drainage areas. For the most part the topography is very mountainous, and coastal-plains are almost completely ‘absent. Geology of Estate Carolina St. John is located east of St. Thomas and comprises an.area of roughly 19.61 square miles. The property is located within Estate Carolina,.a fertile basin on the eastern: part of St. John in Coral Bay. The: maximum elevation of the 600 feet. The subject parcel is located at 4 to 16 feet and has an average slope.of 1.8%. Soils Soils maps illustrate that the. property is comprised of CbB, SoA, and Us soils: Cinnamon Bay Loam (0%-5% slope), Solitude gravelly fine sandy loam (0-2% slope), Ustortherts: Historic Use The site has been used by the community for illegal dumping and abandon cars for the Jast 40 years. 6,03 DRAINAGE, FLOODING AND EROSION CONTROL a. Drainage information. The project site naturally-drains from north west to. south east towards the Coral Bay marsh land. b, Alterations to drainage pattern. The project shal! not affect existing natural drainage patterns around the perimeter of the site while runoff on all proposed surfaces shall be collected and directed to cisterns for future-use: c. The relationship of the project to the coastal floodplain. The proposed building is located 248 feet away from the nearest shore and 13.5 .féet above sea level. The building is sited in Flood Zone type A. As shown on drawing A0.0, each building is sited to that the habitable area is above the flood zone plane. d. Peak stormwater flow calculations. The project site 2.309 acres and stormwatet impact innot expected to.change based on the use of permeable pavers low site impact. Peak stormwater flow calculations were prepared given the size of the property and the limited excavation area. e. Existing Stormwater disposal structures. There are no existing storm water disposal structures. The proposed project intends to collect-all water landing on the building roof areas:to. be: kept in multiple cisterns with fresh water used within the buildings for day to day actives. Any greywater from the septic tanks will be used for landscaping irrigation. f, Stormwater control facilities.. There.are no existing storm water control facilities. AJ disturbed-areas will be stabilized with the-use.of erosion control practices as set forth in the 1995 Virgin Islands Environmental Protection Handbook. A drainage system of curbs, guttering, and catchment cisterns is integral to. the design. The greywater cisterns will be regulatly inspected and maintained with. gtaywater will bé used to re-vegetaté and maintain existing vegetation. g, Schedule.of maintenance of stormwater control features. All catch basins and catchment ¢isterns will be inspected and cleaned every 12 months.and immediately after large storm events. The oil/water. separator will be inspected twice. monthly, and ifoi! is present it will be removed with appropriate. absorbent material: h. Method of land clearing. No tree of over 5 inches in diameter at breast height shall be removed without prior review and al) preliminary clearing shall be done by: hand. A majority of the:site has: been previously cleared.so no large trees are expected to be impacted by this project. i. Provision ‘to preserve topsoil and limit site disturbance. Prior to any and all earth work, erosion control devices and practices will be installed and utilized as set forth in the 1995 Virgin Islands Environmental Protection Handbook. Such practices will include but not be limited to erosion control matting, mulching and planting to prevent erosion of soils disturbed on the site as a result of construction. These will be:routinely and tegularly inspected.and. maintained in proper working order. If at any time these devices become-worn or damaged or cease 6.04 6.05 to function properly they will be immediately repaired or replaced before construction will continue. . Earth disturbance will be limited to that tequired to prepare.the building site. All disturbed areas wil] be stabilized with the use of erosion control practices. All excavated ‘soil shall be stockpiled, surrounded with silt fences, and be covered with an appropriate erosion contro! blanket or matting. j. Potential critical areas and trouble spots. - No major grading-of the site will occur. The natural existing flow of water wil] not-be ‘disturbed. k. Erosion and sediment control devices to be implemented. Erosion control devices and practices will be: installed and utilized as set forth in the 1995 Virgin Islands Environmental Protection Handbook. Such practices will include but not be limited to: erosion control matting, mulching and planting to prevent erosion of soils disturbed on the site-as a result of construction, properly sited and. installed siit fencing io intercept and filter overland flow; the: use. of silt fences to intercept and filter overland flow; and the use of porous materials and infiltration practices to reduce storm water volumes and velocities. |. Maintenance of erosion and sediment control devices. The erosion and sediment:control devices will be routinely and regularly inspected. and-maintained in proper working order. If at any lime thése devices become worn or damaged or cease to function properly they: will be immediately repaired or replaced. m. Impact on terrestrial and shoreline crosion. The proposed building is: 248 feet from the closest shoreline with an existing building and a road in between. The proposed project shal] have-no impact on terrestrial and Shoreline érosion. FRESHWATER RESOURCES According to the survey, there is an existing well on the north west corner of the site. The: proposed main freshwater source shall be collected from the roof and stored in- multiple cisterns below the buildings. If the existing well is useable, it may be used’as a backup in the future. OCEANOGRAPHY a, Seabed alteration. — The proposed building is 248 feet from the closest shoretine at an average elevation of 13.5 feet with anumber of existing buildings and roads in between. The project shal! have no direct impact on the seabed and nothing is proposed that would -affeet the seabed. 6.06 6.07 6.09: 6.10 b, Tides and currents. The proposed building.is 248. feet from the closest shoreline at an average elevation of 13.5 feet with a number of existing buildings:and roads in between. The tides and currents shall have.no direct impact on the project: and nothing is proposed that would affect tides or currents. c. Wave and wind impacts. The proposed building. is 248 feet from the closest shoreline at an average ¢levation of 13.5 feet with a number of existing buildings and roads in between. The wave and wind shal] have no-direct impact on. the project.and nothing is proposed -that would atfect waves and wind. d. Marine water quality: The proposed building is 248 feet from the. closest shoreline at an average elevation of 13.5 feet with.a number of existing-buildings and roads in between. The. marine water guality shall have no direct impact on the project and nothing is. proposed that would affect marine water quality. MARINE RESOURCES AND HABITAT ASSESSMENT The proposed building is:248 feet from the closest shoreline atan average elevation of 13.5 feet with a number of existing buildings and roads in between. The marine water quality shall have no direct impact on the project and nothing is proposed that would affect marine water quality. TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES . The property has been partially cleared and excavated. All trees over 5” diameter will be preserved. WETLANDS The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers defines wetlands as "those areas that are. periodically inundated or saturated by surface: or groundwater at a fréquency and duration sufficient. to support and under nermal circumstances do support. a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for the in'saturated soft conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, bogs, marshes.and similar areas." (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; 1986). There are no wetlands within the building footprint. RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES There is no evidence of rare and endangered species.on the property. Asa result development. of this project shail not displace any rare or endangered or threaten species from its natural niche or habitat. AIR QUALITY All of St. John‘is designated Class II by the Environmental Protection Ageney in compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. In Class II air quality 7.00 7.0] regions the following air pollutants are regulated; open burning, visible air contaminants, particulate matter emissions, volatile petroleum products, sulfur compounds, and internal combustion engine exhaust (Virgin Islands Code Rules and Regulations). During the excavation some dust-and exhaust fumes from heavy machinery will be created. This is unavoidable but is intended to be limited by designing the project to follow the slope of the site. To further limit dust the sile shall be wetted as needed during work, However, this disturbance will only last until the construction activity is complete. Once the construction is completed air quality on site will quickly return to normal, IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ON THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT: The impact of the proposed project on the human environment shall be minimal except for those people for which they will serve; mainly residence and visitors of Coral Bay. The subject property ‘and the adjoining parcels have a-restaurant, pottery studio, and community center. LAND AND WATER USE PLANS . The property is zoned R-2 with-a variance per Act 8727 which allows for an animal care center.. The proposed project creates a 2-story structure. The expected occupancy of the building during normal operating hours is 6 people including 3 employees and 3 clients. During meetings, the occupancy could be-as.much as 18 individuals. The building i is not expected to beat full: occupancy. The project is in keeping with the goals of CZM to create high quality projects with low environmental impact. VISUAL IMPACT The project is sited so the parking is behind the:building which will allow for landscaping and curb-appeal. IMPACT ON PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES a. Water, As with most structures in St. John and all development in Coral Bay and in many parts of the Virg gin Islands, water for the proposed project shall be collected from roof, delivered to cisterns, and filtered for use throughout the project. Pursuant to the guidelines for cistern capacity, the minimum size must be 19,217 gallons. The project. proposes three (3) cisterns fora total capacity of 28,140 gallons. b. Sewage Treatment and Disposal. As with most structures in St. John and all development in Coral Bay.and in many parts of the Virgin Islands wastewater shall be tréated on site with wastewater treatment systems and greywater recycled for irri gation.. The FAST system has been selected because of its low maintenance requirements and. its excellent performance. It bears the seal of the National Sanitation Foundation as an International Standard 40, Class 1 Certified Unit, and meets or exceeds all Environmental] Protection Agency requirements, Its effluent is cleat.and odorless. qualified for discharge above or below surface. The greywater effluent shall be discharged just below surface for use:in supporting landscape vegetation om the rocky terrain typical of the:site. ¢. Solid waste. disposal. Solid waste and trash are deposited into an onsite dumpster and removed buy a private company as required. d. Roads, traffic, and parking. As with most structures in St. John and in many parts of the Virgin Islands, accéss to the public roads is by a ROW running along the north side of the property. The proposed driveway wraps around the building. Loading.areas and staff parking‘are. separated from client and public parking areas. See Site Plan on AO.0 for more: information. During construction there will bé additional traffic on and around the site. All parking and machinery.of construction vehicles will be ori site 14. Rem. Estate Carolina to mitigate potential impacts. Once the project is complete the par king area shall have a total of eighteen (18} parking spacés including (1) handicapped parking space. e, Electricity. As with all existing structures on St. John and in-many parts of the Virgin Islands, WAPA shall provide primary electrical utility, In.addition the project shall include solar panels and a back-up batteries, of sizes yet to’be determined, that shall Servicea battery system sized.to provide full capacity to the project during outages. f. Schools. The project will have fo impact on the school population. g. Fire-and police protection. As with all existing structures on St. John and in maity parts of the Virgin Islands, the Coral Bay Fire Service and the Cruz Bay Police Command shall provide fire and police protection. To reduce that need ‘the proposed buildings are construction with 2 hour rated walls and slabs between to reduce fire risks and shall include secur ity systems to reduce crime. h. Health. As with all existing homes on St. John and in many parts of the Virgin Islands, illnesses and Kealth emergencies would be addressed by the clinic. in Cruz Bay and/or the.clinic on Centerline Road.. 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 SOCIAL IMPACTS The animal community on St. John will benefit greatly from. the new lar ger better equipped facility. The general. community will have better wild animal control, better resources, and this facility will have positive social impacts for all of Coral Bay and St. John at large. The campus will provide much needed resources for the community, ECONOMIC IMPACT With several employee and volunteers, the animal care center have a positive impact the Coral Bay business owners; catering and restaurant owners ip particular. In addition, during construction. the project shall provide numerous jobs to various trade and businesses. IMPACT ON HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES Due to the presence of the gut. no Known archaeological recourses are located.on the property. RECREATIONAL USE St. John is an island based upon recreational use with:access to the VI and-federal land and water resoutces. This project shall allow more péople to enjoy recreational areas, Play areas are included on the'site. WASTE DISPOSAL There will be no hazardous waste handled during the construction of the project or after-construction. Storage batteries which are spent will be collected‘and recycled by a local battery sales operation. ACCIDENTAL SPILLS As with all construction projects, during the construction of homes it is possible that fuel or oil leaks could occur with the operation of heavy machinery. If such leaks occur the leak shall be immediately contained andthe oil,.or fuel, collected and disposed of properly. All fuel tanks when stored will be covered, wil! have 2.110% spill catchment basin, and will have a detailed fuel spill contingency plan. If fuel is: spilled it will be collected and disposed of in a proper manner in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, The completed project is designed to have a back: up generator which will use diesel fuc]. The fuel tanks. are intended to be. doubled walled and shall include a catchment basin. POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED As with all construction, it is unavoidable that a limited amount of existing vegetation will be fost through the construction of roads and homes. The completed site, however, will be landscaped to stabilize soil, soften the visual impact, and to improve the aesthetic appeal of the property. The potential for.sédimentation and erosion will exist during construction but the risk’ shall be mitigated as described. The applicant will abate this potential impact to the: environment through the implementation. of both temporary. during construction, and permanent sedimentation and erosion contro} plans. Through the use of plantings and stabilization measures, stormwater facilities, and stormwater catchment systems .the potential impacts are greatly reduced and, in fact, will i tmprove on the. current conditions of the undeveloped site. 8.00 MITIGATION PLANS In the development of any site where earthwork is executed or soil, is disturbéd,:the potential for sedimentation and erosion can-exist. Because the proposed structures are on a relatively fiat site, the entire site can be monitored and miti gation measures inspected and quickly repaired, as: needed. In order to protect water quality and prevent erosion of soils.into the water, all measures recommended by the 1995. Virgin Island’ Environmental Protection Handbook, the Extension Cooperative Services, and VI Marine Advisors, Inc. shal] be fully implemented. No measures beyond what has: already been proposed atid designed shail be needed. 9.00 ALTERNATIVES TO PROPOSED ACTION Pursuant to the Vf Building Code there. are, of course, a large number of different. ways the site could be developed as al lowed by zoning however none that would better meet the owner’s goals or better fit within the site and context of the neighborhood. Additionally all other options .that-satisfy the project objective would have a similar, if not greater, environmental and human impacts. NO BUILD ALTERNATIVE. The site ‘would remain in its. present state. The humanenvironmient would not be impacted at all however no new construction would reduce property values, reduce valuable charitable resources for the community. and no-new dwellings or jobs would be created. A potential for responsible and sensitive development would be lost. CONCLUSION The conclusion reached was that the proposed project design met all the-goals of the property owners as well as was-the most coriplementary to the existing site and the neighborhood context. 10.00 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT AND LONG TERM USES OF MAN’S ENVIRONMENT The proposed project brings with it a low intensity land conversion, and isin keeping with the character of Coral Bay. It is our belief that the proposed project is the best short.and long term use for the property, human impact, and environment. 11.00 REFERENCES LITERATURE CITED ‘Bowden, M. J. et. al., 1969. Climate, water balance and climatic change in the north-west Virgin Islands; Caribbean Research Institute, CV1, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Donnelly, T. 1966. Geology of St. Thomas and St. John, U:S. Virgin Islands. ln: Hess, H. (ed: Caribbean geological investigations. Geol.Soc. Amer. Mein. 98:85-176. Donnelly, T., et al., 1971,-Chemical evolution of the igneous rocks of the Easterh West Indies. In: Donnely, T. (ed.) Caribbean geophysical, tectonic and petrologic studies. Geol. Soc. Amer. Mem. 130:181]-224. Hays, W. W., 1984, Evaluation of the earthquake-shaking hazard in Puerto. Rico and the Virgin Islands. Paper present at the earthquake hazards in the Virgin Islands Region Workshop, St. Thomas, April 9-10, 1984. Island Resources Foundation, 1977. Mari ne environments of the Virgin Islands. Technical Supplement No..1, 1976. Prepared forthe Virgin Islands Planning. Office. U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, 1970. Soil Survey Virgin Islands.of the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office, Wash., D.C. LIST OF PERSONS CONSULTED The professional and expert resources consulted for the preparation of the permit application for land, pier and, boat ramp permit include, but are not limited to, the following: a. James Sturgess, Construction Advisor; Majestic Construction, Inc., St. John. b. St. John Police Department, Consultant: St. John. c. Virgin Island Fire Services. Consultant: St. John and St. Thomas. . LIST OF TEXTS CONSULTED The written references used in preparation of the land, pier, and boat ramp permit application include, but are not limited to, the following: a. Virgin Island Environmental Protection Handbook, 1995. b. A Natural History Atlas tothe Cays of the U.S. Virgin islands,.Arthur E. Dammann and’David W. Nellis, 1992. If OTHER REQUIRED SUBMITTALS Please find the following submittals attached as requested: a. A coad and driveway permit is not needed as the driveway intersections a-private ROW. Permit Application Form (Form L& WD-2) is attached. The Zoning Requirements Table (Porm L&WD-3) is attached. The Major Project Summary Data (L&WD-4) is attached. The Proof of Legat Interest Letter (Form L&WD-5) is attached. The Income Tax Clearance Letter (orm L& WD-6) is attached. The Corporate Application Form (Form L&WD-7) is attached. A certificate of Corporate Good Standing is attached. A copy of the deed is-attached. The Property tax clearance letter, from. The Department of Finance, is attached. . The Application Fee(s) has been paid and a copy of check is attached. A certified list of all property owners within.a'150 foot radius of the property boundaries. is attached. 7 im. Theletter from the Historic Preservation Officer - SHPO approving the Phase | Archeological Resource Survey for this site has been approved. n. A list.of qualifications and background of designers, engineers. and other professionals involved with the project is as follows: Michael Milne, Architect, Barefoot Design Group, LLC: V1. Registered Architect, 621-A. o. The market study, analysis, or feasibility of the project is not fora non-profit organization. p. NFIP Flood Zone Designation (Form L&WD-8)is-attached.