Planning Director's Letter to the Puna CDP Steering Committee

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Because some of these, such as the Paradise Park sites, are currently not available because they have not been developed, the Department has recommended, and the Planning Commission approved, several special permits with 5 years terms, with the condition that if the designated sites are developed, that they should move there when the five years is up. The Planning Department has supported small-scale special permits for businesses that would generally fall under the category of Ðhome occupations.Ñ These are businesses that are operated by the occupant of a home on the property, with a maximum of one employee other than the occupants, and some other limitations. They are allowed as a matter of right in residentially-zoned areas, such as most neighborhoods in Hilo, but the current zoning code requires home occupations in the agricultural district to get a special permit. As a practical matter, there are undoubtedly hundreds o businesses operating in Puna. 4. What should the county do to help improve infrastructure in the private subdivisions? For the last few decades, the county government has consistently taken the position that it would not take over the private roads within the subdivisions, nor would it subsidize improvements to those roads. The only major exception was Ainal taken over by the county to create an alternative access out of lower Puna. There were, and are, strong fiscal reasons for this policy. The private roads are substandard, and the cost of improving them is high. To own them without improving them would expose the county to significant liability for accidents. But roughly a third of the population increase on the island is going into these Puna subdivisions. The Puna CDP can at least discuss what options exist for financing improvements within the subdivisions, such as improvement districts. 5. Where should new county facilities be built? Basic county facilitiesÏparks, fire and police stationsÏhave not been built in Puna at the same pace as the population increase. One major focus of the CD facilities, especially parks. Where should they be located? Given the need to properly allocate limited resources, what should be the balance between parks that serve a large region (like the Pahoa pool, or the current concept of a Puna Gym and regional ballfield complex near the Kahakai Blvd./Hwy. 130 intersection), and more neighborhood- not oriented parks? Do neighborhoods want parks (because they can be magnets for undesirable activities)? 6. How can the county foster the development of community gathering places? Community gathering places help weave the fabric of community life. Planners speak of Ðthird placesÑÏother than the home and workÏwhere people can spend time and meet