PD BACKGROUND REPORT (SPP-19-212)

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region, including the underserved subdivisions that have been experiencing higher levels of development growth. 3.3 SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING Social services include not only programs to provide assistance to special needs populations, but also health and medical facilities to serve the entire community. "Medical facilities", in this instance, does not apply to County emergency paramedical services, which are covered in the following Section 3.4. With a growing population, Puna clearly needs more social and health care services within the district. Yet, there are two major challenges to making them accessible to residents: c. As a rural area with a rudimentary transportation system and dispersed population, it is difficult for residents in need to reach the services; and d. Puna's high percentage of low-income residents tends to increase the need for social services, yet discourages private health care providers from locating in Puna due to insurance issues. The proposed Clinic meets the criteria outlined above. The PCDP does make an effort to keep new growth within the village town center, however this special permit request would allow for a small scale health facility that could potentially be more conveniently located to serve residents within the surrounding rural area. Further, with the volcanic activity affecting the Pahoa Village businesses and causing a substantial amount of lost revenues, it is essential to help our local businesses grow and succeed. This request is to allow for a small, local, family-run business to be developed and operated with the intention of improving the health of the community. In addition, it will also increase property tax revenues at a time when an impending budget crisis looms due to the loss of property values affected by the lava flows. The request is not for a change of zone allowing many different possible uses. The conditions of the Special Permit will limit the operations to what is defined within the Special Permit request. Based on the above, it would seem logical to allow the proposed use on the property by way of a Special Permit. 414 The proposed use is an unusual and reasonable use of the land, which would not be contrary to the objectives to be sought by the Land Use Law and Regulations, which, for the Agriculture and Rural Districts, seek to preserve or keep the land of high agriculture i2