COM 0149.000 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 2 State Land Use Boundary Amendment The approval of the reclassification from the State Land Use Agricultural to the Urban District for approximately 10.373 acres will not be in violation of Section 205-2, Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, nor will it be inconsistent with the Land Use Commission Rules, the County General Plan and the Hawaii State Plan. Under the Land Use Commission Rules, one of the standards for considering an area for urban reclassification 'states that "In determining urban growth for the next ten years, or in amending the boundary, land contiguous with existing urban areas shall be given more consideration than non-contiguous land, and particularly when indicated for future urban use on state or county general plans." Although the properties are not contiguous to Urban designated lands, the area lies 500 feet south and east of the HELCO Kea`au power plant site and the Ulu Pono Town Center, which are on lands designated Urban by the State Land Use Commission. Additionally, the subject properties have historically been used for industrial purposes by the Puna Sugar Company. The reclassification action also conforms to the goals, policies and standards of, among others, the Land Use and Economic Elements of the General Plan. The General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map component of the General Plan is a representation of the document's goals, policies, standards and courses of action. It is also a graphic depiction of the physical relationship between the various land uses and establishes the basic urban and non -urban form for areas within the County. The subject properties are in an area designated Industrial on the LUPAG Map. The Industrial designation includes uses such as manufacturing and processing, wholesaling, large storage and transportation facilities and light industrial uses. Since 197 t, the area of the old Puna Sugar Mill has been designated as Industrial in the LUPAG. During the 1989 General Plan Comprehensive Review, the Industrial designation was expanded by re - designating lands in the vicinity from Intensive Agricultural and Orchards to Industrial. This area was considered for industrial expansion as a variety of industrial uses were established in the vicinity through the Special Permit process. The County had determined that the industrial designation would promote and encourage additional utilization of the area. The applicant is also concurrently requesting a Change of Zone from an Agricultural (A -20a) to a Limited Industrial (ML -la) zoned district for 10.373 acres. The reclassification action would be consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the Hawaii State Plan and Puna Community Development Plan by providing future employment opportunities and improved living standards and stimulating the development and expansion of economic activities.