PD BACKGROUND REPORT (PL-SPP-2022-000011)

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ASIAA-PL-SPP-2022-000011-04-04-22 COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND REPORT ACADEMIA SINICA INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS SPECIAL PERMIT APPLICATION (PL-SPP-2022-000011) ACADEMIA SINICA INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS has submitted an application for a Special Permit for the temporary operation of an array of satellite dishes to conduct research on Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) on an approximately 0.5-acre portion of a larger 21.80-acre property in the State Land Use Agricultural District. The subject property is located at 96-1048 Center Road, at its intersection with North Road, Ka`ala`ala, Kanaio, Wood Valley, Ka`u, Hawaii, TMK: (3) 9-6-008:067 (por.). APPLICANT'S REOUEST 1. Request: The applicant is requesting a Special Permit to allow the following uses on a 0.5-acre portion of a 5-acre lease area within a larger 21.80-acre property: • Ten (10)temporary commercial TV satellite dishes (20 feet in diameter) with a six (6) foot aluminum post with a reception capacity of 400-800 Megahertz (MHz). • A gravel driveway approximately 100 feet in length and 20 feet in width. • One (1) catchment tank of at least 4,000 gallons capacity for fire suppression at the north end of the property. • One (1) port-a-potty. • Two (2) storage containers each at 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet-6 inches tall. • A small solar power array or rechargeable batteries. • The proposed use will be temporary, comprised of a five (5) year lease with the option to extend the lease another five (5)years. According to the applicant, a temporary array of ten (10) satellite dishes would conduct research on Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). FRBs are powerful radio bursts coming from within and outside of our galaxy,which are not yet understood. The applicant intends to study the sources and origins of these radio bursts,which requires a"radio-quiet" site. -1-