PD Recommendation Report New Hope-Waikoloa (PL-SPP-2023-042)

Home

districts might not be best suited for agricultural activities and yet classified as such, and in recognition that certain types of uses might not be strictly agricultural in nature, yet reasonable in such districts, the legislature has provided for the Special Permit process to allow certain unusual and reasonable uses within the Agricultural district. The subject, 2,153-acre property is located east(mauka) of Waikoloa Village, on the north side of Waikoloa Road. The 5.012-acre, rectangular shaped permit area is vacant of any structures and the applicant reports it is used intermittently for pastoral purposes. The proposed use is unusual in that it is not agricultural in nature; however, considering the use will be limited to the permit area, it is reasonable and will not affect use of the remainder of the property. Based on the preceding, the subject request is considered an unusual and reasonable use of the agricultural land. In addition to the above listed criteria, the Planning Commission shall also consider the criteria listed under Section 6-3(b)(5) (A)through (G). In considering the criteria, the Deputy Planning Director recommends the following: (A) Such use shall not be contrary to the objectives sought to be accomplished by the Land Use Law and Regulations. The subject request is considered an unusual and reasonable use of the agricultural land and the proposed use will not adversely affect the preservation and agricultural use of the County's prime agricultural lands. (B) The desired use shall not adversely affect the surrounding properties. Most surrounding parcels consist primarily of vacant land, or are used for pasture lands, with the existing Waikoloa Stables located approximately 1,000 feet to the west(makai) of the proposed permit area. Surrounding properties to the west are zoned Agricultural-5 acres (A-5a) or Village Commercial-20 acres (CV-20), adjacent land to the north is zoned Open, and a large parcel directly across Waikoloa Road is zoned Residential Agricultural-1 acre (RA-la). At the time of this writing, the Planning Department has received fifteen letters of public testimony regarding the proposed application, including comments from Waikoloa Village Association, of which seven are in opposition to and eight are in support of establishment of the proposed use. In addition to concerns raised by opposition -3-