COM 0745.000 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Parking is specified at one space per 300 square feet of gross floor area principally used for agricultural tourism, with a minimum of three spaces; • The applicant must state whether or not buses are allowed. If they are,the applicant must show a bus parking and unloading area on the plans; • The Planning Department must do a site inspection before issuing plan approval, and the Department will have 60 days to approve or reject the plan approval application; • Parking areas are not included in the limit of 1,000 square feet principally used for the agricultural tourism operation. • The sale of agricultural products grown on the island of Hawai'i, and processed agricultural products where the main ingredient was grown on the island of Hawai'i,is allowed; • The Planning Director may use observation of traffic to estimate whether or not the agricultural tourism operation is exceeding the 30,000 visitor per year limit. • If an agricultural tourism operation receives plan approval,but then exceeds the 30,000/year limit, it must apply for a special permit,but it can operate until the final decision on the special permit. In the years since the adoption of Ordinance No. 08-155, the administration of these new standards and guidelines have encountered some challenges by the agricultural community due to the lack of clarity in some of the guidelines and standards and the constraint of these standards to accommodate the needs of the agricultural tourism industry. Since at least 2009, the Planning Department has been meeting with members of the Hawaii Agritourism Association(HATA)to discuss the requirements of Ordinance No. 08-155 and its implications and impacts upon those who have existing agricultural tourism operations and those who are contemplating such operations. Such meetings were facilitated by the Department of Research and Development who also provided valuable insight and recommendations on how to improve the agricultural tourism requirements. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS The proposed amendments before the Planning Commissions are the result of these meetings and represent an attempt to provide better clarity, applicability and accommodation to a segment of the agricultural and tourism industries that continues to grow. -2-