COM 0216.000 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 3 provide potential retail lease space for compatible businesses at a convenient and easily accessible area. Similar to the existing facility, visitors and residents will be able to view the production operations through glass walls. Big Island Candies, Inc. currently employs 75 persons full-time. An additional 15 persons are employed seasonally or part-time especially during peak periods. With the new facility, there may be an additional 20 full-time positions. The number of employees working on a shift at any given time will be a projected maximum of 62 persons. Orchids of Hawaii, a floricultural business, was previously established on the subject property by the landowners from 1945 until 1985. The Orchids of Hawaii commercial-office, commercial-retail and storage/packing areas operated under the nonconforming provisions of the Zoning Code as the operations were established prior to 1967. The business was oriented to the visitor industry as well as the residents of the County. Visitors to the previous floricultural business on the subject property were transported by buses and cars via Hinano Street. An architecture office was also established on the site and has been continuing its nonconforming use on the subject property. It should be noted that Paradise Plants Home & Garden Center subsequently established its operation on the subject property until December 1996. The proposed amendment would be consistent with the Land Use Element of the General Plan. 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. It is also 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 Land Use goals, policies and standards are set forth to physically plan the lands in the County in the best interest of the island's residents. These state the following: Land Use Element * Designate and allocate land uses in appropriate proportions and mix and in keeping with the social, cultural and physical environments of the County.