COM 0211.000 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 5 applicants' request by providing for a transition between urban and agricultural uses in this particular area just makai of the Mamalahoa Highway and will not compromise the intent of the Kona Regional Plan by preserving the potential agricultural use of the project site. Therefore, a favorable recommendation of this change of zone request will be consistent with the land use pattern being established within this area of South Kona. Should the County Council approve the applicants' request for a Family Agricultural (FA3a) zoned district, the applicants would normally be allowed to apply for a Second Farm Dwelling Permit, which would allow the construction of a second dwelling unit as a separate or attached unit on each of the two proposed lots. Due to the fact that this subject request will allow Che existing parcel to be subdivided and subsequently allow the applicant to create additional lots, there is a potential for additional dwellings to be constructed on each lot which would double the existing density of the area. Although, the Planning Commission supports this rezoning request to allow fora 2-lot subdivision with one home on each lot, the potential to allow a total of four (4) homes may contribute to a cumulative burden on the existing infrastructure, primarily potable water, which cannot be supported at this time based on information provided by the Department of Water Supply. Therefore, a condition is included to require restrictive covenants in the deeds ofproposed lots to prohibit a second dwelling unit on each lot. The Department of Water Supply has confirmed that it is willing to support this change of zone application if such a restriction on additional dwelling units are imposed. The property continues to be cultivated in macadamia nuts and coffee. According to the applicants, a total of 250 macadamia nut trees and 900 coffee trees. The project site is not classified by the Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii (ALISH) System. Soils within the project site are classified as "E" or Very Poor for agricultural productivity by the Land Study Bureau. While the potential for intensive and/or extensive agricultural uses may exist, the soil conditions within the property and surrounding area would preclude such intensive agricultural activities from being conducted without a significant amount of effort. A smaller parcel size may provide for increased opportunities for small-scale agricultural activities to be conducted on the lands as proposed by the applicant. The Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) designates the project site as being situated within Zone X, an area determined to be outside of the 500-year flood plain. All utilities and services are available to the site. Access to the subject property is from the Mamalahoa Highway, which is a State highway, however, this portion of the road is under County jurisdiction. The project site has direct access to the Mamalahoa