COM 0728.000 2014-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dru Kanuha, Council Chair and Members of the County Council Page 3 The property is not considered important agricultural land as it is classified as existing urban development on the ALISH Map and by the Land Study Bureau, which determines productivity ratings of agricultural lands. The front portion of the property is improved with a dwelling and the rear portion of the property is improved with an additional farm dwelling. There are several green houses on the property that are used mainly for growing vegetables and the remainder of the property contains numerous types of fruit trees and some chickens. Land uses in the area are a mix of residential and agricultural uses,particularly orchards. Surrounding properties are similarly zoned A-3a with approximately 3 acre sized lots that are developed with dwellings. The proposed change of zone would complement the existing and predominately rural residential land uses in the surrounding area and is consistent with the General Plan designation for the area. As areas that were once used for agriculture become more rural and urban in character there is a greater potential for conflicts and nuisance complaints arising from residences being located next to farms and other agricultural operations. State law requires that for boundary amendments to the Rural or Urban districts where the lands are adjacent or contiguous to existing lands within the Agricultural district shall include notification to owners and prospective buyers that farming operations are protected from nuisance complaints under the Hawai`i Right to Farm Act. The lands just south of Lama Street are situated in the State Land Use Agricultural district, while lands north of Lama Street are in the Urban district. Thus, conditions of approval will be included to protect the agricultural activities on the adjacent property to the north from nuisance complaints. All utilities and services are available to the site. Access to the property is from Lama Street, which is a County road with a 20-foot wide pavement with grass shoulders within a 50-foot wide right-of-way. County water can be made available to the property via an existing 2-inch waterline within Lama Street for the proposed lot. The property is currently served by one water meter. As there is no municipal sewer system in the area, wastewater will be disposed of into individual wastewater systems meeting the standards and requirements of the State Department of Health, which have been previously approved. Solid waste will be disposed of by commercial haulers or the homeowner into the Hilo landfill. The property is in Zone"X", which is an area determined by FEMA to be outside the 500-year flood plain. All development-generated storm runoff will be disposed of on site and not allowed onto adjacent properties or roadways. All other essential utilities are available to the site. Police, fire, and emergency facilities are located in Hilo.