COM 0798.000 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 3 designation allows for village and neighborhood commercial, single-family and multiple - family residential uses (up to 35 units per acre) and related functions. The purpose of the requested change of zone to a Project District is to provide a mix of land uses ranging from single-family and multiple -family residential units, a medical office campus, a commercial center, a business park, and open space and recreational areas. Some of the land uses the applicant originally proposed for the business park, such as warehousing, manufacturing, and light -industrial, are not consistent with the General Plan LUPAG designation. These uses would be more appropriate in areas designated High Density Urban and Industrial in the General Plan. In Hilo, the High Density Urban and Industrial designated areas are located near the airport, along Kanoelehua Avenue, and near the town core makai ofKapi`olani Street between the Wailuku River and Kawili Street. A condition of approval will limit the permitted uses in the Project District to only those that are consistent with the Medium Density Urban designation of the LUPAG Map. According to the applicant, the development will include a mix of uses, including residential uses of varying densities and structure types and medical and commercial areas in proximity to the residents. Design concepts intended to promote a more livable and pedestrian friendly community will also be incorporated into the development. One of the primary components of the proposed development is a medical office campus to address the primary health care needs of the area's residents. In the Public Facilities Element of the General Plan, primary healthcare is defined as non -bed related diagnosis, treatment and prevention services and includes general medical care in a doctor's office or outpatient clinic, emergency medical care, diagnostic radiology and clinical laboratory services, and continuing care of the chronically ill and those requiring rehabilitation. The plan recognizes that as the number of elderly increases, there will be a greater need for assisted living, skilled nursing, and intermediate care facilities. The proposed development supports this element as it will provide new medical facilities for primary healthcare in close proximity to the Hilo Medical Center and adjacent medical facilities. This proposed development is consistent with the Economic Element of the General Plan in that the proposed development will provide additional and expanded employment opportunities for the residents of the area as well as the entire island. The employment opportunities from the proposed development as a result of this zoning request will generate both short-term (construction) and long-term (operational) employment. The proposed project would provide opportunities to increase the activity of secondary industries, thereby increasing job opportunities for the island's residents. Further, the magnitude of this project will directly benefit the residents of this County as