COM 0904.000 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 2 In order to consider an area for any type of zoning designation, the applicable goals, policies and standards of the General Plan must be adequately addressed. It is only through a comprehensive policy analysis approach that evaluations and decisions can be made to better time or stage developments to achieve quality growth. The implications of these evaluations and decisions must also be considered as they may have an impact on other similar areas in the County. The proposed change of zone from an Agricultural (A -40a) to an Agricultural (A -l0a) zoned district will conform to, among others, the goals, policies and standards of the Land Use, Economic and Agricultural General Plan Elements and the General Plan LUPAG Map: The Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map component of the General Plan is a representation of the document's goals and policies to guide the coordinated growth and development of the County. It reflects a graphic depiction of the physical relationship among the various land uses. The LUPAG Map establishes the basic urban and non -urban form for areas within the County. The proposed request conforms to the LUPAG Map, which designates the property as Important Agricultural Land. Important agricultural lands are those lands with better potential for sustained high agricultural yields because of soil type, climate, topography, or other factors. Soils within the property are identified as Honokaa silty clay loam, low elevation, 10 to 20 percent slopes (HsD). The Land Study Bureau's Detailed Land Classification System identifies soils on the property as "D" or "Poor" for agricultural productivity. The ALISH System classifies the subject property as being on the boundary of the Hamakua Forest Reserve. The properties outside of the reserve near the subject property are classified as Other Important Agricultural Lands and Prime Agricultural Lands under the ALISH System. As the applicant is proposing to keep the land for pastoral and/or equestrian use, the request will be consistent with the General Plan. The request also conforms to the Northeast Hawai`i Community Development Plan Land Use Concept Map, which designates this area for agricultural uses. The proposed change of zone will conform to, among others, the goals, policies and standards of the Land Use, Economic and Agricultural General Plan Elements: Land Use • Designate and allocate land uses in appropriate proportions and mix and in keeping with the social, cultural and physical environments of the County. • Allocate appropriate requested zoning in accordance with the existing or projected needs of neighborhood, community, region and County.