PD Recommendation Report (PL-SPP-2023-000041)

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Land Use Element • Designate and allocate land areas in appropriate proportions and mix and in keeping with the social, cultural, and physical environments of the County. • The County shall encourage the development and maintenance of communities meeting the needs of its residents in balance with the physical and social environment. Economic Element • Economic development and improvements shall be in balance with the physical and social environments of the island of Hawaii. • The County shall provide an economic environment which allows new, expanded, or improved economic opportunities that are compatible with the County's natural and social environment. • The County shall strive for diversification of its economy by strengthening existing industries and attracting new endeavors. • The County of Hawaii shall encourage the development of a visitor industry that is in harmony with the social, physical, and economic goals of the residents of the County. The proposed request will allow the applicant an opportunity to improve their quality of life, provide an economic environment which allows this new opportunity and increase the development of the visitor industry for Hawaii. Based on the preceding, the proposed request is consistent with the Land Use and Economic goals and policies of the General Plan. The Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP), adopted by the Hawaii County Council, Ordinance 08 116, on September 10, 2008, does not show the subject property as being located within or near a village/town center. Section 3.2 of the PCDP, Agriculture and Economic Development, notes that Agricultural tourism presents an opportunity for the area in that it"generates income by providing community-based services to visitors of natural and cultural sites in a way that protects and nurtures the natural and cultural systems,in a manner that is economically sustainable."Included in the goals and objectives -7-