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including the underserved subdivisions that have been <br /> experiencing higher levels of development growth. <br /> 3.3 SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING <br /> Social services include not only programs to provide assistance to <br /> special needs populations, but also health and medical facilities to <br /> serve the entire community. "Medical facilities", in this instance, <br /> does not apply to County emergency paramedical services, which <br /> are covered in the following Section 3.4. With a growing population, <br /> Puna clearly needs more social and health care services within the <br /> district. Yet, there are two major challenges to making them <br /> accessible to residents: <br /> a. As a rural area with a rudimentary transportation system and <br /> dispersed population, it is difficult for residents in need to reach <br /> the services; and <br /> b. Puna's high percentage of low-income residents tends to <br /> increase the need for social services, yet discourages private <br /> health care providers from locating in Puna due to insurance <br /> issues. <br /> The proposed Clinic meets the criteria outlined above. The PCDP <br /> does make an effort to keep new growth within the village town <br /> center, however this Special Permit request would allow for a small- <br /> scale family owned and operated health facility that could <br /> potentially be more conveniently located to serve residents within <br /> the surrounding rural area. <br /> Further, with the volcanic activity affecting the Pahoa Village <br /> businesses and causing a substantial amount of lost revenues, it is <br /> essential to help our local businesses grow and succeed. This <br /> request is to allow for a small, local, family-run business to be <br /> developed and operated with the intention of improving the health <br /> of the community. In addition, it will also increase property tax <br /> revenues at a time when an impending budget crisis looms due to <br /> the loss of property values affected by the lava flows. <br /> The request is not for a change of zone allowing many different <br /> possible uses. The conditions of the Special Permit will limit the <br /> operations to what is defined within the Special Permit request. <br /> Based on the above, it would seem logical to allow the proposed <br /> use on the property by way of a Special Permit. <br /> 6 <br />