2018-3-15_HCDP_RATIONALE - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

This is reflected in the location of "Medium Density Urban" (MDU) areas on the CDP Land Use Guide Map. See section 3.1.6 Land Use Guide Maps, Figures 2-13, and refer to the rationale document for specifics on how the LUPAG MDU category changes are being implemented for each area. Rationale: In the General Plan, the LUPAG MDU, or Medium Density Urban category is characterized as village and neighborhood commercial, allowing for single family and multiple family residential and related functions (multiple family residential — up to 35 units per acre). Small towns in the Hamakua Planning Area often do not meet the necessary population or visitor threshold to sustain this type of residential density or commercial uses. Towns that do not meet this minimum threshold are encouraged to develop appropriately -scaled commercial uses according to the commercial zoning designations allowed within the LDU category. See also Factor 9, from Policy 1. This CDP policy is based on Community Objective 5, 6, 9, and 10 and focuses primarily on preserving small-town character while allowing flexibility for mixed-use neighborhood businesses. Note: the identified MDU category shown on the CDP Land Use Guide Maps are general guides to allow for flexibility, especially for any parcel that contain both LDU and MDU designations. There are many commercial uses that currently are only allowed under the Medium -Density Urban LUPAG category and yet, if the MDU were further expanded, it would allow for uncharacteristically high residential density in areas where such density may not be appropriate. It should be noted that Change of Zone requests within the LUPAG LDU category for commercial uses that are only allowed within the LUPAG MDU should be given careful consideration as to the community benefits, potential impacts, and for consistency with other Hamakua CDP policies and Objectives. Policy 4 In order to preserve larger lot agricultural lands for productive agricultural use, allow rural development on lands near urban areas where an intermediate land use between residential and productive agricultural areas is consistent with the surrounding uses and rural character. This is reflected in the location of "Rural' (R) areas on the CDP Land Use Guide Map, which is intended to facilitate changes of zone to "Family Agricultural District" (FA). The intermediate land use between residential and productive agricultural areas is intended to serve as: ■ A low density area that provides a transitional use buffer area between strictly residential and commercially productive agriculture areas, and; ■ A mix of personal or family -scale productive commercial or subsistence agricultural use on all newly established parcels in the Rural area, and; ■ Areas with parcels having a median size of between 2 — 3 acres but not to facilitate subdivision of parcels less than 1 acre in size. Agricultural areas outside the Urban Growth Boundary and outside designated Rural areas are to be preserved for agricultural uses, open space, scenic viewsheds, and natural beauty areas. See Policy 5. APPENDIX v5: HAMAKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN I Section 3: Policy Rationale — Preferred Settlement Patterns & Land Use