PD Background Report (PL-SPP-2022-000025)

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4.3.2 Land Use Policy Policy 32: Conserve and protect agricultural lands. (State Constitution Article XI, Section 3; GP 2.3(a), 2.3(s), 14.1.2 (b), & 14.2.2(a)) Policy 33: Preserve the agricultural character of Ka`u, including the open space preserved by agricultural land. (GP 14.2.2 (b) & 14.2.3 (d)) Policy 35: Limit development of agricultural land to agricultural uses, discouraging speculative residential development and urban encroachment. (GP 14.2.3(i), 0), & (t)) Policy 40: Special permits of any kind in the"Important Agricultural Lands" and "Extensive Agriculture" Land Use Policy Map categories should not be permitted in the Ka`u CDP planning area, except for the following uses (as defined in HCC Chapter 25): • Agriculture and Related Economic Infrastructure: Animal hospitals, Veterinary establishments, Fertilizer yards utilizing only manure and soil, for commercial use. • Cottage Industry related to Agriculture: Bed and breakfast establishments, Guest ranches, Lodges, Home occupations. • Community Facilities: Community buildings,public uses, and structures, Shooting ranges, ATV courses (in areas without cultural, natural resources, or scenic value). • Quarries whose permit conditions address geotechnical, engineering, safety,private road use, oversight, and any site-specific issues. • Urban uses in Ocean View: Uses consistent with the LDU, MDU, and Industrial LUPAG categories indicated on the Ka`u CDP Land Use Policy Map in Ocean View, until the SLU boundaries are amended (from Agriculture to Urban). The Planning Commission shall also include in any Special Permit approval (or recommend for approval to the State Land Use Commission) appropriate performance conditions to achieve CDP objectives and implement CDP policies. (HRS 205-6(c) and Planning Commission Rules 6-3(a)(5)(G), 6-7, & 6-8). Discussion: The subject site has a LUPAG designation of Extensive Agriculture. Historical aerial photos from 1965 and 1977 and the Agricultural Land Use Map (ALUM) confirms that this parcel was cultivated in sugar cane for many years. While the Property has agricultural potential and ongoing grazing use, the proposed Special Permit area is not considered Prime or Other Important Agricultural Land by ALISH and has a Land Study Bureau soil rating of"C". Further, since the proposed land use is temporary in nature, the Property could still be utilized for agricultural activities after the research project concludes. The temporary improvements do not classify as residential development or urban 17