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1. Land Use Pattern <br />The Implementation Section (Chapter 5) of the CDP identifies, <br />among others, Regional Town Centers within which commercial <br />areas are further identified. The subject site is immediately <br />adjacent to the commercial areas. <br />Although the site is not exactly within the commercial area, it should <br />be noted that the recently amended Section 5.2.1 of the CDP <br />focuses on the land use entitlement process as it relates to <br />regional town centers and com m u n4 village centers. <br />Specifically, it states that "Future zone changes and State land use <br />boundary amendments for the regional town centers and <br />community village centers at Kea'au, Pahoa, and Hawaiian <br />Paradise Parr shall be consistent with the LUPAG viva <br />desk nations of the General Plan." (Emphasis added). In this <br />situation, the subject site falls within the Medium Density <br />designation of the General Plan LU PAG map. <br />Furthermore, the amended provision of the fast paragraph of <br />Section 5.2.2 states that "The -maps shown in this chapter are not <br />If <br />meant to be or strict! inte reted but rather as uidelr'nes <br />in the preparation of rezoning requests for areas within or adjacent <br />to regional town centers, community village centers, or <br />neighborhood village centers. " (Emphasis added). <br />Thus, in considering land use applications, the CDP does not <br />mandate consideration of only those sites that fall exactly within <br />designated regional, community, or neighborhood centers. The <br />designated areas are to be used as guides, thus enabling land use <br />applications to be considered in a much broader policy context. <br />Given the above, this request is being evaluated against the <br />articulated goals and objectives of the Managing Growth theme. <br />The request would be consistent with the following Goals of the <br />NEMW <br />CDP: <br />• Improves the quality of life and expands economic opportunity <br />for Puna's residents. <br />• Reduces the exposure to high risk from natural hazard <br />situations. <br />• Makes services and community facilities more accessible in <br />village /town centers <br />■ Reduces overall number of buildable lots in Puna. <br />In that regard, the proposed project is intended to be supportive of <br />1I <br />