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Bill 266/Cogan. 745 BRPDInit-ZCode-AgriculturalTourism.doc-dsa-3/27/12 COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND AND RECOMMENDATION INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 25 (ZONING CODE) OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION) RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM The Planning Director is initiating an amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) relating Agricultural Tourism. The proposed amendment will specifically amend Sections 25-1-5(b), 25-2-71, 25-2-75, 25-2-76 and 25-4-15 relating to definitions,plan approval requirements, and use regulations,respectively, as they are related to agricultural tourism. BACKGROUND In 2008, the Hawai`i County Council adopted Ordinance No. 08-155, a copy of which is attached to this report as Exhibit A,to define and regulate agricultural tourism in Hawaii County. Following the demise of the sugar plantations and mills, a more diversified agricultural base consisting of smaller agribusiness and family operated farms,ranches, and agricultural products processing facilities is evolving in the County of Hawaii. These operations are offering a wide variety of specialized products,produce and exotic flowers via local vending opportunities as well as through regional, national, and international wholesale distributors and the Internet. To supplement their agricultural activities and in response to the growing visitor industry, a market has developed for tours and activities showcasing the uniqueness of fanning,ranching and agricultural products processing in Hawaii. However,the growth of the agricultural tourism market has sometimes resulted in adverse impact on surrounding properties and resources. The Council, in adopting Ordinance No. 08-155, recognized agricultural tourism as a viable element of the visitor industry and as an expanding alternate income resource for local farmers and ranchers, while also finding it necessary and appropriate to define agricultural tourism and to establish guidelines to manage its impacts in a manner consistent with the social, environmental,physical, and economic goals and policies of the General Plan for the County of Hawaii. Therefore, Ordinance No. 08-155 established standards and guidelines such as: -1-