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

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The property is situated within an area designated as Flood Zone "X," or an area determined by FEMA to be outside the 500-year flood plain. Telephone and electricity are available to the site. Fire services are located approximately 31 miles away in Volcano and police services are located approximately 15 miles away in Na`alehu. Based on the preceding, the requested use will not burden public agencies to provide additional services. (D) Unusual conditions,trends, and needs have arisen since district boundaries and regulations were established. In the 1960's and 1970's, the State's agricultural district boundaries and regulations were established and subsequently amended pursuant to HRS Chapter 205. The State Land Use Commission was created in 1961, and interim regulations and temporary district boundaries became effective in 1962. Subsequently, the regulations and Land Use District Boundaries became effective in August of 1964. The property and surrounding areas are designated for agricultural uses by both State and County land use laws. Through the issuance of a Special Permit, a community may establish various non-agricultural uses/services that may not be available or allowed by zoning for its residents. Since the district boundaries were established, there has been an increase in scientific research installations on Hawaii Island, specifically contributing to the field of astronomy. The proposed use will allow for a temporary installation to support such scientific research, while requiring that the use is temporary in nature and will not displace future agricultural uses in the permit area. (E) The land upon which the proposed use is sought is unsuited for the uses permitted within the district. The 2.0-acre permit area is suited for agriculture and is presently being used for ranching. The remainder of the subject property will continue to be used for ranching and the permit area will return to agricultural uses after the temporary use has ceased. As previously discussed, since the proposed use is temporary in nature, it will not preclude future agricultural uses in the permit area. (F) The use will not substantially alter or change the essential character of the land and the present use. The proposed use will have some visual effects on the character of the land since there will be satellite and antenna arrays installed on present -6-