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Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Council Chair and Members of the County Council County of Hawaii March 19, 2025 Page 3 The change of zone request from an Agricultural 10-acre (A-10a) zoning district to an Agricultural 5-acre (A-5a) zoning district conforms to applicable goals, policies, and standards of the General Plan. The subject, 23.349-acre parcel is generally rectangular in shape and is situated at an elevation of 200 feet above sea level. The property has been improved over the years with several structures, including event and visitor facilities supporting the Nani Mau Gardens botanical garden, arboretum, restaurant, special events and related parking. Structures within the 5-acre portion of the property that supports the KOKL school uses include buildings that have been re -purposed as classroom and office buildings, a storage shed, two greenhouses, a dwelling, and a beauty salon. While the applicant states that it has yet to be determined whether the dwelling and beauty salon will be used for future school uses, a site visit indicated that the former beauty salon has already been converted into the school's office building. The subject property and surrounding areas are predominantly zoned for agricultural use, with a mix of A-1a, A-3a, A-5a, and A-10a zoning designations. The neighboring properties to the south, east, and west consist primarily of single-family dwellings with some light agricultural uses, while parcels to the north are currently vacant. According to the Zoning Code, the Agricultural district provides for agricultural and very low density agriculturally -based residential use, encompassing rural areas of good to marginal agricultural and grazing land, forest land, game habitats, and areas where urbanization is not found to be appropriate. The Zoning Code also allows for non- agricultural uses to be permitted with a Special Permit, which has been secured for school use on the subject property. The General Plan is intended to be used as a policy guide for the coordinated growth and development of all sectors of the County. It sets forth goals, policies, standards, and courses of action to accommodate growth without congestion, to designate and preserve the lands needed for residential use, commercial and visitor services, industry, agriculture, and open space, and to coordinate these uses with the County's service and circulation systems. The overall goals, policies and standards are set forth to physically plan the lands in the County in the best interest of the island's residents. Land Use is one of the principal focal points of public concern and policy. The Land Use Element provides the primary basis for direct control and guidance of publicly and privately owned resources. The request conforms to the following goals and policies of the General Plan Land Use and Education Elements: