COM 0398.000 2014-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

RECOMMENDATION ANALYSIS Since the Puna CDP was adopted in 2008, the General Plan LUPAG Map for Kea'au has not been updated. To further implement the Puna CDP, to assure coordinated development of this area, and to achieve a greater degree of consistency with the General Plan, the Planning Director is initiating the subject General Plan amendment for Kea'au Village. This effort follows on the heels of a General Plan amendment initiated by the Planning Director for Pahoa Village, which was adopted by the County Council in 2012 (Ordinance No. 12 89). The Pahoa Village and Kea'au Village General Plan amendments both promote and guide growth within the defined regional town centers of existing urban villages as prescribed by the Puna CDP. Amending the General Plan LUPAG Map designations to Medium Density Urban will be consistent with the Puna CDP, which designates Kea'au Old Town(and a portion of Kea'au New Town already designated for Urban Expansion Area) as the Kea'au Regional Town Center illustrated in Figure 5-1 of the Puna CDP. The area proposed for Medium Density Urban would be a natural infill of the Village already characterized by commercial stores, offices, a credit union, and restaurants; churches, Kea'au Elementary School, Kea'au High School, residences, agricultural activities, urgent care center,veterinary services, and vacant land. Kea'au Bypass Road, Kea'au Ag Lots Subdivision and the row of lots to the west of the Kea'au-Pahoa Road are practical boundaries within which Kea'au Village can expand. The proposed area is served by urban infrastructure such as roads, water, parks, public safety services, schools, and utilities. Increasing diverse residential and commercial opportunities by the subject amendment will stimulate upgrades to infrastructure in Kea'au Village and will promote walkable communities near schools and services. As land use patterns take shape through rezoning, roads can be interconnected with improved pedestrian and bicycle paths; community/cultural parks and open space will be set aside; and Kea'au Village will form its own unique and vibrant community identity. The proposed Medium Density Urban designation would allow the flexibility needed to encourage balanced growth and support services by setting aside sufficient acreage to accommodate the regional demand and to reshape land use patterns to mitigate development -12-