COM 1050.000 2022-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Heather Kimball, Council Chair and Members of the County Council County of Hawaii September 09, 2024 Page 2 If the requested land use entitlement changes are approved, the applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two lots with the future intention of subdividing a third lot and conveying one lot to a family member. The approval of the reclassification from the State Land Use Agricultural to the Rural District for 1997 acres of land will not be in violation of Section 205-2, Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), nor will it be inconsistent with the Land Use Commission Rules, the County General Plan, and the Hawaii State Plan. According to the Land Use Commission Rules, the following three standards shall apply when determining an area for the Rural district boundaries: (1) Areas consisting of small farms; provided that the areas need not be included in this district if their inclusion will alter the general characteristics of the areas; (2) Activities or uses as characterized by low -density residential lots of not less than one-half acre and a density of not more than one single-family dwelling, per one- half acre in areas where "city -like" concentration of people, structures, streets, and urban level of services are absent, and where small farms are intermixed with the low -density residential lots; and (3) Generally, parcels of land of not more than five acres; provided it may include other parcels of land which are surrounded by, or contiguous to this district, and are not suited to low -density residential uses for small farm or agricultural uses. The subject property conforms to these standards in that the proposed use for the parcel in the proposed Rural district consists of low -density residential and agricultural lots of not less than one-half acre, with a proposed density of one single-family dwelling per lot. Additionally, lands directly contiguous to the subject parcel consist of a mix of small farms and low -density residential lots, in an area where "city -like" urban services are absent. Although the Rural SLU classification is rare on Hawaii Island, in 2013 a property located about two miles west of the subject property was reclassified by the County from the Agricultural to Rural district. This property was also subsequently rezoned to RA-.5a, similar to the subject application submitted by the applicant. The Rural district serves as a transition between urban and agricultural land uses. Additionally, the reclassification action would be consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Hawaii State Plan by encouraging the preservation of rural character and lifestyle.