PD Background Report (PL-SPP-2023-000040)

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B. Nature of Request While the request is to extend the life of the permit, it should be noted that the licensee,Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, wishes to construct a hangar to enable the more efficient repair and maintenance of the helicopters. Currently,the repair and maintenance work are done in Hilo, which require additional flight time and fuel costs. Having the on-site hangar enables the quick turnaround and more frequent and desirable maintenance of these helicopters. The proposed hangar would consist of approximately 3,500 square feet and less than 25 feet tall. (Figures 3, 4, 5)The anticipated cost is $3.5 to $4 million. As such,to help amortize the cost of this improvement, the Applicant is seeking additional time. If approved,the licensee would immediate begin to consummate its financing, complete and secure County approval of the construction plans, and then commencing with its construction.The licensee anticipates being able to complete this project within five(5) years. In light of the above, the Applicant desires to extend the life of the permit for another ten(10)years to June 30, 2035. While we would defer to your office for the specific language to accommodate this request, a suggested language could be as follows: Condition 4: "The permit shall be effective until June 30 f2025J 2035. (Underscored item is new, while bracketed item is to be deleted.) III. JUSTIFICATION OF REQUEST In making this request,the Applicant respectfully submits that the reasons for granting the original permit and its six(6) extensions still apply. Specifically, these reasons, in summary, were: 1) not being contrary to the basic objectives of the Land Use Law; particularly its relationship to agricultural lands and the County General Plan;2)not having significantly adverse impacts to the character of surrounding properties and their improvements; and 3) not unreasonably burdening public agencies to provide infrastructure and services. Notwithstanding the original reasons,the Applicant respectfully provides the following amplified justifications to reflect current infrastructure and regulatory situations. 1. The proposed use is an unusual and reasonable use of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District and would promote the effectiveness and objectives of Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS),as amended. In recognizing that lands within the agricultural districts, in spite of its agricultural classification,might not be best suited for agricultural activities; and in recognition that certain types of uses might not be strictly agricultural in nature, 3