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They are currently permitted in the Resort, in the General Commercial, in the Village <br /> Commercial, in the Commercial Industrial [Industrial-Commercial] and in the Commercial <br /> Downtown Hilo zoning district. They are considered permitted uses. They don't require a Use <br /> Permit. <br /> The primary reason for this proposed amendment is to allow indoor amusement and recreational <br /> facilities in the remaining commercial and industrial uses where they are not currently permitted. <br /> In the last 10+years, the Planning Department has seen an increase of requests for health and <br /> wellness facilities such as CrossFit, weight training gyms, cardio gyms as well as martial arts <br /> studios in commercial and industrial zoning districts. The Planning Director is proposing to <br /> expand the options for indoor amusement and recreational facilities by increasing the number of <br /> zoning districts in which they can be permitted. With the limited number of zoning districts <br /> currently available for these types of facilities, they have started operating in residential and/or <br /> agricultural areas where they are not permitted. This actually kind of came to a head I would say <br /> maybe 5+years ago where we had a violation in an I agricultural zoning district of one of these <br /> larger health and wellness facilities, and they tried to apply for a Special Permit, and it wasn't <br /> looking like it was going to be approved. The neighbors were in opposition,and things like that. <br /> And, so, they looked elsewhere in the area around-there, and the zoning districts that we're trying <br /> to change were the ones available, and they couldn't go in there. And, so even at time, we <br /> decided, you know, it makes sense to allow these in these types of areas. <br /> On top of that, currently in Kona and in Hilo-, and I'm sure in o,ther zoning areas around the <br /> Island, there are a number of these operating in these zoning districts currently. What happens is <br /> in the Neighborhood Commercial, Limited Industrial, General Industrial, as well as the other <br /> zoning districts, they build a large warehouse type of facilities with a number of bays, and then <br /> they rent out the bays. Well, these,are perfect-locations for all types of uses,but they've really <br /> also attracted health and wellness facilities, bodybuilding gyms, as well as martial arts studios. <br /> So, you will notice a number of them in these areas. So, again, we haven't had any complaints <br /> other than the one that I mentioned in the Agricultural zoning district. I'm also aware of one in a <br /> Residential zoning district,but they've moved to a permitted zoning district. So, again, a simple <br /> change to the-Code to be able to provide more options. <br /> The Planning Director is recommending that the Planning Commission send a favorable <br /> recommendation-to the Hawaii County Council for these three amendments. Any more <br /> questions? <br /> CLARKSON: Any questions from the Commission? <br /> DARROW: Thank you. <br /> CLARKSON: My only comment is to make sure that outdoor recreational facilities that are not <br /> commercial are distinguished between the ones that are commercial. <br /> DARROW: Thank you. <br /> CLARKSON: Ballfields, State parks. <br /> 5 <br />