PD BACKGROUND REPORT (PL-SMA-2023-000034)

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The 2005 photo (Exhibit 12-1) shows the land cleared and planted.The 2019 photo (Exhibit 12-2) shows much of the parcel planted in row crops. The best economic use of this land continues to be Agricultural use. Ag use is also consistent with current zoning and land use laws. Because this use is consistent with past uses and lawfully allowed uses, we know of no detrimental impacts to the surrounding area, in the past, present nor do we anticipate any in the future. Although the parcel is zoned Agriculture, it lies within a subdivision platted in 2002. As shown in Exhibit 3, there are 16 platted lots in this subdivision.This property is the last lot at the southern end of the subdivision and borders Hakalua Bay. Lot 15 borders this lot to the north.The parcel is accessed by a private road that runs parallel and abuts Hawaii Belt Highway, which forms the western border of the parcel.The lot is already connected to the HELCO grid, where the transmission line terminates several hundred feet into the property. Because it is located within a platted subdivision, the proposed farm dwellings are also consistent with the existing residential uses of surrounding area. The proposed project would be compatible with the surrounding area, and is consistent with the LUPAG designation, the zoning, and State Land Use District.The project would fulfill the following pertinent goals, policies, and standards of the General Plan as well as the Hamakua Community Development Plan: • Identify, protect and maintain important agriculture lands on the island of Hawaii. • Preserve the agricultural character of the island. • Preserve and enhance opportunities for the expansion of Hawaii's Agricultural Industry. • Assist in the development of agriculture. • Assist in the development of water for agricultural purposes. Encourage large landowners to make agricultural lands available for agriculture. • Protect and restore viable agricultural lands and resources (CDP) • Enhance and promote local and sustainable agriculture, farming, ranching, renewable energy, and related economic support systems (CDP). • Cooperate with appropriate State and Federal agencies and the private sector to develop, improve and expand agricultural water systems in appropriate areas on the island. (GP 11.2.2(j)) • Designate and allocate land uses 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. • Provide for suitable living environments that accommodate the physical, social, and economic needs of the Island residents. • Attain safe, sanitary, and livable housing for the residents of the County of Hawaii. 6