PD BACKGROUND REPORT (PL-SPP-2022-000027)

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In the case of the Agricultural District, the intent is to preserve or keep lands of high agricultural potential in agricultural use. The land on which the proposed uses is situated is classified as "E" or "Very poor" for agricultural productivity by the Land Study Bureau and not classified on the ALISH Map. Notwithstanding the poor agricultural resource quality of this site, one can argue that there is always the potential. However, given the fact that the requested area is already built upon, there should be very little, if any, additional area that will be removed from potential agricultural productivity. Upon termination of these uses, the land can — if one so chooses - make the land usable for non-soil based agricultural or other purposes should that be deemed necessary in the future. Accordingly, the continued use of this area as a self-employed auto repair shop and related activities should not have a significant adverse effect on the State and County's agricultural land inventory. In sum, the deletion or in the alternative, requested time extension to allow the continued use of this site for an auto repair shop is an unusual and reasonable use of lands situated within the Agricultural District and should not be contrary to the objectives of Chapter 205, HRS, as amended. B. The proposed request is not contrary to the General Plan policies and objectives as well as the recently adopted Puna Community Development Plan ("CDP"). The County General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) map designates the site Extensive Agriculture. The Extensive Agriculture designation refers to "Lands not classified as Important Agricultural Land. Includes lands that are not capable of producing sustained, high agricultural yields without the intensive application of modern farming methods and technologies due to certain physical constraints such as soil composition, slope, machine tillability and climate. Other less intensive agricultural uses such as grazing and pasture may be included in the Extensive Agricultural category." Given this designation and because the continued use of this site will not result in the reduction of any currently cultivated land, the requested extension of the Special Permit would not be inconsistent with the General Plan LUPAG designation, and no amendments would be required. It should be noted and emphasized that the auto repair shop will continue to occur within an area already improved. 3