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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 108 10/05/2004 2002-2004REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: October 5, 2004 PLACE: Councilroom TIME: 1:35 p.m. Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 RE: Communication No. 768/Bill No. 325 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 768 and Bill No. 325, transmitted by Mayor Harry Kim, dated September 22, 2004, regazding a Change of Zone request application by Mitsugi Komo Revocable Trust, at Honuaula, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-24:25 reports as follows: Bill No. 325 seeks to amend Section 25-8-3 (North Kona District Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the Hawaii County Code, by changing the District Classification for approximately 6A69 acres of land from Agricultural (A-Sa) to Family Agricultural (FA-3a). Communication No. 768 reports the Hawaii County Planning Commission, as required by the Hawaii County Charter, Chapter 4, Section 6-4.3(C), considered the above request on September 3, 2004. At this meeting, the Commission concurred with the Planning Director's favorable recommendation for approval of this matter. Communication No. 768, in synopsis, also reports the Planning Director's findings and recommendations as the following: The applicant, Mitsugi Komo, is requesting a Change of Zone for approximately 6.069 acres of land identified as TMK: 7-5-24:25, from Agricultural (A-Sa) to Eamily Agricultural (FA-3a). The parcel is located along Mamalahoa Highway approximately two miles south of the Palani Road junction. Exhibit "A" further delineates the parcel. The applicant is the owner of the property and has farmed the property for over 50 years. The entire site has been cleared and cultivated with macadamia nut and coffee trees. There are also two residences on the parcel. 3. The applicant intends to create an additional lot, by subdividing the property into two lots of approximately three acres in size each. The applicant's children would farm the subdivided property on a part-time basis. 4. The estimated costs of improvements including the construction of driveway access and an additional water meter is estimated at $25,000.00. 5. Access to the site is proposed from Mamalahoa Highway through a single driveway approach. Afuture-widening setback is to be provided by the applicant. 6. All utilities and services are or will be made available to the subject property. 7. The approval of the Change of Zone request from the Agricultural district (A-Sa) to the Family Agricultural (FA-3a) zoned district would result in an appropriate land use pattern that will further benefit the public based on the following: Renort No. 108 Communication 768 Bill 325 Page 2 • The rezoning action complements the Economic Element goals, objectives and/or policies articulated in the Hawaii County General plan, particularly those relating to diversification of opportunities and agricultural activities. • The General Plan LUPAG Map designation for the area is Orchards. Current land uses in the area are rural and agriculture with a few small family type coffee farms. The proposed use is consistent with both the LUPAG and these established uses. • The project site is unclassified by [he State of Hawaii ALISH Map. The Land Use Study Bureau's Overall Master Productivity Rating for the soils in the area is "C" or "fair", which can be used to coffee and pasture activities. The applicant reports that present coffee and macadamia nut activities will continue after the rezoning action. Therefore, this action will not diminish agriculture activities. • The approval of the Change of Zone Request will not be violative of Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The property is not situated within the Special Management Area. It is located approximately three miles away from the coastline. No archeological sites, cultural or historical resources are expected to be adversely affected as a result of this request. • The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) identifies the parcel as outside the 500-year flood plain. 8. Requisite of the Planning Director's favorable recommendation for the Change of Zone request are approximately eleven conditions contained in Bill No. 325 that outline specific requirements for the proposed project. At today's meeting, Chris Yuen, Director of the Planning Department provided this Committee with background information about the origins and purpose of Bill No. 325. A letter from the applicant's representative, Sidney Fuke, informing members that he will not be present at today's meeting, was also circulated. Post discussion, Your Committee amended Bill 325 with the following: Condition K. [Comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the affected agencies, including the Department of Public Works, Department of Water Supply and Department of Health.] The applicant shall comply with all applicable Coin State and Federal laws rules regulations and requirements. 2. Condition M. 5. If the applicant should require an additional extension of time the Planning Department shall submit the applicant's request to the County Council for appropriate action Communication 768 Bill 325 Page 3 Your Committee concurs with the Planning Commission and the Planning Director's favorable recommendation for approval of this rezoning request. Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the intent and purpose of Bill No. 325, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends it pass first reading. Ctd AYES NOES A&E EX ARAKAKI X CHUNG X ELARIONOFF X HOLSCHUH X JACOBSON X REYNOLDS X SAFARIK X TULANG X TYLER X C MITTEE ON PLANNING 1 ~ C.~t~-t9~ L"~ i Leningrad Elarionoff, C air PC REPORT NO. 108 ADOPTED