PD RECOMMENDATION REPORT (PL-SPP-2022-000018)

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property are classified by the Land Study Bureau's rating system as class "C" or"Fair" and"E" or"Very Poor" soils for agricultural productivity, they are designated Prime Agricultural Lands and Other Important Agricultural Lands on the ALISH map. A condition of approval required the applicants to develop an agricultural plan that sets aside a minimum of 3 acres of the 5-acre permit area to be developed for agricultural uses. The applicant is proposing to construct the additional guest rooms in a manner that preserves existing agriculture, thus they should not displace any existing agricultural activity or diminish the agricultural potential of the property. As evaluated above, the applicants' request is considered an unusual and reasonable use of agricultural land that will not adversely affect the preservation of lands with high agricultural potential in the County of Hawaii. Thus, the establishment of the proposed use will not be contrary to the objectives sought to be accomplished by the State Land Use Law and Regulations. (B) The desired use would not adversely affect surrounding properties. Surrounding land uses in the immediate vicinity consist primarily of pasture, agriculture, and residential uses, with the closest dwelling located approximately 400 feet mauka of the permit area. The applicant has proposed siting the new guest rooms adjacent to existing landscaping which should provide some visual screening from neighboring properties. Once the additional guest rooms are in use, the applicant expects there to be a minor increase in traffic on Maluhia Road and Lokahi Road, however they do not expect the traffic to affect Akoni Pule Highway given the relatively small increase in use. Based on the applicant's statement regarding an established preference by retreat guests for single-occupancy rooms, it is likely that overall guest numbers will not significantly increase, rather guests who previously had to share a double-occupancy room can now reserve their own. The Planning Department has received public comments from adjacent landowners expressing concerns about the impacts of increased use of the access roads, including exacerbation of dust issues and unsafe conditions resulting from cars speeding on the roads. On January 19, 2023, the Leeward Planning Commission granted standing -3-