PD Recommendation Report (PL-USE-2023-000008)

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Based on the preceding, the request is consistent with the general purpose of the zoned district, the intent and purpose of the Zoning Code, the County of Hawaii General Plan and Puna Community Development Plan. The granting of the proposed use shall not be materially detrimental to the public welfare nor cause substantial, adverse impact to the community's character or to surrounding properties. Properties immediately adjacent to the subject property are zoned Agricultural-3 acre (A-3a) and Agricultural-1 acre (A-la), ranging in size from about 10,000 square feet to 3.8 acres. Larger parcels on the north side of the highway are zoned Forest Reserve (FR) and parcels to the east are zoned Open (0). The properties surrounding the subject property are being used for a plant nursery, dwellings, and agriculture, with several vacant properties. The nearest residence is located approximately 400 feet northeast of the proposed tower location on an adjacent property. As previously mentioned, the applicant proposes to mitigate visual impacts on neighboring properties by constructing the tower as a monopine, painting all panel antennas and tower-mounted equipment to match the proposed monopine, adding slats to the proposed chain link fence and by omitting exterior lighting for the site. Traffic to the project will be consistent with routine maintenance and repair activities performed once a month during normal business hours by an AT&T technician. It is anticipated that the surrounding community will benefit from improved cell phone coverage as the proposed facility will fill a service coverage gap between the communities of Glenwood and Volcano and will improve reliable access to 9-1-1 emergency services. The Telecommunications Act of 1996, Section 704, as amended, recognizes the absence of health hazards from wireless radio wave transmissions and prohibits local authorities from regulating the placement of such towers based on environmental effects, so long as the towers comply with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) guidelines. The applicant will be required to comply with all FCC and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules. -5-