2019-08-01 Hearing Transcript - PD Initiated Amusement & Recreation Facility

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