PD BACKGROUND REPORT (PL-SPP-2024-000063)

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The subject site is currently being maintained by the applicant. The property remains clear and is mostly mowed grass. The Special Permit request is for the full 1-acre parcel. The proposed pavilion, covered decks, bathrooms, and general parking lot will encompass approximately 14,000 square feet. 3C. Institutional Considerations i. State Land Use The subject site is designated State Land Use Agricultural(Figure 5), and the Special Permit area consists of 1-acre. As such, no State Land Use Commission action is required. The County of Hawaii can process the Special Permit request. The U.S. Department of Agricultural Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has designated the property's soil as Keaukaha highly decomposed plant material (2k11d)with 2 to 10 percent slopes. This soil type is made from organic material over pahoehoe lava flows. It is considered well-drained, has a high runoff class, and is not considered prime farmland. In recognizing that lands within agricultural districts might not all 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, Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 205-6 allows County Planning Commissions to permit certain unusual and reasonable uses within the agricultural and rural districts other than those for which the district is classified. ii. Special Management Area The subject property is approximately 3 miles inland from the coast and is outside of the Special Management Area. iii. County Zoning and General Plan The subject property is zoned A-la(Figure 6). The County General Plan LUPAG map designates the parcels as Rural. Relative to this designation, the General Plan allows consideration for a"Special Permit" on agricultural land where the requested use meets certain criteria as outlined in Section 4 of the permit application and Chapter 205 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes as amended. General Plan Discussion The Hawaii County General Plan serves as a guide for decision-makers in land use matters. It provides direction for balanced growth in the County. The proposed action will retain the essential character of the land and will be consistent with the surrounding area and with the goals, policies, and standards of the General Plan document. 11