2013-19 Diamond SPP 13-150 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rodney & Lorrie Diamond Application for Special Permit TMK (3) 1- 5- 017:112 are comparable in price to new rainwater catchment system when drilled at lower elevations. Groundwater provides a more reliable and sanitary source for household water than rainwater catchment. Diamond Drilling and Pump provides a valuable service to the community by offering an affordable well drilling and pump repair service. The majority of wells drilled by Diamond Drilling and Pump are used for irrigation, or a combination of household water and irrigation. Rainwater catchment is not a reliable water source for agricultural irrigation. Additionally, the use of fossil fuels is costly, unsustainable, and detrimental to the environment. Diamond Drilling and Pump has planted over 30 acres of leased property in oil palm trees, with the goal of growing palm dates to be used in the production of biodiesel, a renewable, local fuel source. The subject property will be used for secure parking of the agricultural equipment that is used to work the nearby oil palm farm. The Land is not Suited For Permitted Uses. The land upon which the proposed use is sought is unsuited for the uses permitted within the district. The subject property is relatively flat, pahoehoe lava with no topsoil. To achieve the light agricultural use now around the residence on the subject property, all topsoil had to be imported to the subject property for plantings and landscaping. Cinders were imported to the subject property for minor site grading and driveway use. The majority of the subject property has no topsoil and is unsuitable for intensive agricultural planting. Essential Character of Subject Property The proposed use will not substantially alter or change the essential character of the land and the present use. The land is currently being used for the purposes outlined above as the proposed uses for the subject property. The essential character of the property will remain in its current form. General Plan, Coals, Policies, Standards, and the Subject Property The subject property is designated as Rural on the County General Plan's Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide ( "LUPAG ") map. Allow able uses for Rural designations include facilities that serve the residential and agricultural uses in the area. The proposed use of the subject property is consistent with the Rural designation as it provides a low - impact needed service for the people within the community (affordable well drilling and repair), and will be serving agriculture purposes in the area (growing a renewable and sustainable local fuel source) . The proposed use is an unusual and reasonable use of land, which would not be contrary to the objectives to be sought by the Land Use Law and Regulations, which, for the Agricultural and Rural Districts, seeks to preserve or keep lands of high agricultural potential in agricultural use. The subject property is not listed as being Agricultural Land Important to the State of Hawaii. It has a Land Study Bureau soil rating of E. The subject property is not suited for agricultural development. It is however suitable for providing support to agricultural activities on nearby farmland, and support for providing needed services within the surrounding communities. Page 9