PD BACKGROUND REPORT (PL-SPP-2021-000004)

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South Kohala Community Development Plan The property is within the South Kohala Community Development Plan (SKCDP) planning area and is located within the Waimea Town Boundary. Figure 13 shows the property is within the "Small Farms & Ranches Preservation Program" designation and Pu'u Maile is identified on the SKCDP Waimea Town Conceptual Plan.According to the SKCDP, "preservation of Waimea's sense of place shall be the principal, overarching land use policy for Waimea. This policy shall be implemented through measures for responsible growth, and through the preservation and protection of important lands and resources, including important cultural and historic sites and structures, important agricultural lands, and visually and environmentally important open space areas in Waimea Town." Per the SKCDP, "preserving Waimea's close relationship with nature is critical to preserving its 'sense of place"' and the "small farm lots and ranch lots in East Waimea" are "of great importance to the rural and paniolo character of Waimea." (County of Hawai'i, Planning Department, 2008). In addition, the SKCDP identifies the protection of the pu'u of Waimea as a key strategy to preserving Waimea's sense of place. Quoting directly from the SKCDP: The green pu'u above Waimea Town have great cultural, historical, and visual importance for the community. Together with the grand views of Mauna Kea to the southeast of the town, the pu'u define the special landscape "sense of place" of Waimea. Efforts to protect the pu'u should be centered on keeping the pu'u and surrounding areas in agricultural use (grazing) and conservation use. Many of the pu'u have deep cultural importance for Native Hawaiians, and they are important areas for Native Hawaiians to pursue traditional cultural practices. Allowing access to the pu'u is important for these traditional cultural practices. The pu'u also play an important role in the natural systems of the watershed. (County of Hawai'i, Planning Department, 2008) The proposed LT Ranch is consistent with the vision for Waimea Town and strong sense of place as LT will be maintaining the existing ranch house, farm and barn structures, and the open space as pasture. No new construction is proposed on Pu'u Maile and the proposed cultural academy and retreat will provide hands-on activities, which connect 'opio to nature and the land, consistent with the SKCDP vision of preserving the small farms and ranches in Waimea. Zoning The property is currently located in the County of Hawaii A-5a Agricultural zoning district (Figure 14). LT is seeking a Special Permit for the proposed cultural academy and retreat, which is like other uses permitted in the A-5a district with a Special Permit as it will provide social, educational, cultural, and recreational activities and will not be operated for financial gain. It will be compatible in scale and feel with the surrounding community as LT will keep the existing ranch house, barn, and pastures to host these activities, along with a few other accessory structures such as the horse and pig pens, a riding ring, and storage/workspaces. D. SURROUNDING ZONING AND LAND USES Surrounding areas to the north, south, and west of the property are zoned A-5a. Zone A-40a borders the property to the east (see Figure 14). Private residences are located to the north, 5