PD Recommendation Report (PL-SPP-2023-000031)

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On June 7, 1993, Special Permit No. 842 was approved by the Planning Commission to establish a brewery, water and soft drink bottling facility and related improvements. The Hawaiian Springs water bottling facility was subsequently built on 7+ acres of the original approximately 14.5-acre site that was subject to the Special Permit. The 14.587-acre parcel of land was subsequently subdivided in 2005 resulting in two, 7+acre parcels, which is identified as TMK 1-6-141:001. On December 16, 2003, the Planning Commission granted the first 5-year extension of time to complete construction of the brewery and soft drink bottling component of the project. On December 18, 2009, the Planning Commission granted a second amendment to complete construction, and the County Council approved a concurrent change of zone from A-5a to FA-2a for approximately 7.829 acres on March 18, 2010. On November 21, 2011, Final Subdivision Approval was secured for the subdivision of the approximately 7.82-acre property into the three subject parcels (TMK 1-6-141:024, 027, 028). The reason for the subdivision was to increase the potential of attracting different operators for a brewery, soft drink, or a water bottle facility on the various lots. On October 18, 2013 and February 16, 2018, the Planning Commission granted a third and fourth 5-year extension of time to complete construction. In addition, the 2013 amendment allowed the development of a distillery use on one or all of the subject parcels. In April 2021, the applicant acquired parcels 24 and 27 and since then they have diligently worked securing the necessary permits to develop a water bottling facility on parcel 24 with the intent of moving its existing water bottling facility from Hilo closer to the source of the water proximate to the project site. The applicant has secured Final Plan Approval for the new proposed water bottling facility on parcel 24, a grading permit, and a well permit from the State on parcel 27, which will provide water for the water bottling facility in the near term. Additionally, the applicant is in the process of finalizing drafts of civil, electrical, and building plans for submittal in the first quarter of 2023 and completion of construction within 18-months thereafter. Given this timeline, the applicant will not be able to meet the October 2023 2