COM 0912.000 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 3 sustained high quality and/or high yields of a specific crop when treated and managed according to modern farming methods. The recordation of deed restrictions for individual lot owners to file a conservation plan with the Kona Soil and Water Conservation District will encourage agricultural activities or the presentation of the lands within the proposed subdivision in a manner consistent with the "Orchard" designation by the General Plan LUPAG Map and "Unique Agricultural Land" designation by the ALISH system. The A-5a zoning is consistent with the recommendation of the Kona Regional Plan. The proposed subdivision of 5-acre lots would be compatible with the agricultural character of lands located within the lower elevations of Kaloko Mauka Subdivision which are zoned A-5a and A-3a. The 5-acre lot sizes will provide opportunities for residents who wish to pursue limited agricultural activities, but are not able to commit to the financial or labor demands placed on them by the larger 20-acre parcels. The applicant has agreed to impose restrictive covenants requiring the filing of a conservation plan with the Soil and Water Conservation District as well as restricting the construction of second dwelling units on each subdivided lots. Lands adjacent and to the north, northwest and east of the subject property, above the approximately 2,600 feet elevation, have been rezoned to an A-5a zoned district since 1995. Lands immediately below the 2,600 feet elevation were rezoned to A-3a zoned district in 1980 and 1995. Therefore, a favorable recommendation of this change of zone request will be consistent with the surrounding land use pattern already established within this portion of Kaloko Mauka Subdivision. However, an increasing number of parcels are being affected with condominium property regimes. The subject property is located at the 2,480 foot elevation. The 'Alala Recovery Plan, prepared in an effort to preserve the habitat of the critically endangered 'Alala, recommends that portions of Kaloko Mauka Subdivision above the 3,200 foot elevation be designated as "essential habitat" for the 'Alala. As part of the Office of State Planning's Five-Year State Land Use District Boundary Review, the Water Resources Research Center recommends that the high rainfall and fog-drip area mauka of the 2,000 foot elevation be redesignated into the Conservation District for protection as a watershed recharge area. The Kona Watershed, which provides for the recharge of aquifers which supplies most of Kona's drinking water, includes those lands located within the Kaloko Mauka Subdivision and situated above the 1,900 foot elevation, which includes the subject property. The subject property, located below the 3,000 foot elevation, does not seriously compromise the recommendations of these studies beyond existing conditions. While the subject property is located below the elevation recommended for preservation as a habitat for