HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 003 01/07/1997 1996-1998 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: January 7, 1997 Re: C-27
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 1:40 p.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 6, transmitted by Mayor Stephen
K. Yamashiro via Communication No. 27, dated December 9, 1996, regazding the change of
zone request by Mauna Kea Agribusiness Company, Inc. at Hakalau Nui, South Hilo, Hawaii,
TMK: 2-9-2:57 through 60 and 2-9-4:87 through 91, reports as follows:
Bill No. 6 amends Section 25-113 (South Hilo District Zone Map), Article 3, Chapter 25 (Zoning
Code) of the Hawaii County Code, by changing the district classification for approximately 395±
acres of land from Agricultural-20 acres (A-20a) to Agricultural-10 acres (A-l0a) zoned district.
The subject properties are located on the mauka side of Hawaii Belt Highway, between Chin
Chuck Road and Ilakalau Gulch/Stream where the applicant proposes to consolidate and
resubdivide the subject properties into a total of 35 agricultural lots with a minimum often acres
in size.
The applicant, a wholly owned subsidiary of C. Brewer and Company, Ltd., initially had
requested for approximately 124 ± acres of land from an A-20a to an A-Sa which would create a
22-lot agricultural subdivision with minimum lots of 5 acres. The residents in the azea as well as
the surrounding community expressed concerns that the minimum size of 10 acres or lazger
would be more compatible with the character of the surrounding area.
The subject properties, formerly in sugar cane cultivation, is covered by various grasses and
sugar cane plantings. A portion of the subject properties is presently used for ginger farming.
The Land Study Bureau's Overall Master Productivity Rating of the subject properties is "C" or
Fair productivity potential for most agricultural uses and the Agricultural Lands of Importance to
the State of Hawaii (ALISH) Map system classifies the project azea as "Prime Agricultural
Land".
Primazy access will be via Chin Chuck Road, a County maintained roadway, which has an
approximately 40-foot wide right-of--way with 20-foot wide pavement and 4-foot to 6-foot wide
grass shoulders. It should be noted that the existing 20-foot wide pavement ends fronting
approximately a 1/3 section of the proposed Lot 33, then tapers to a 15-foot wide pavement
fronting proposed Lot 34 and a portion of Lot 35. The remaining pavement is 12-foot wide.
The Hakalau Iki Spring serves the subject properties, with Wailea We11 as a back up water
source. Additionally, there are two existing water tanks situated along Chin Chuck Road. Water
PC REPORT NO.: 3
PC- 3 Page 2 January 7, 1997
can be made available from the existing 6-inch County water line along Chin Chuck Road.
Wastewater generated by the proposed development is to be disposed of by means of individual
cesspools or septic tanks meeting with the Department of Health's approval.
Because the subject properties had been extensively altered from previous sugar cane cultivation,
significant archaeological sites are not anticipated to be located on the subject site, nor any
endangered or threatened candidate species of flora or fauna.
The subject property has no severe topographic or geologic problems which cannot be properly
rectified or which would render the land unusable for the proposed use.
The Planning Commission concurs with the following Planning Director's reasons for
recommending a favorable consideration of the change of zone:
1. The change of cone request conforms to the goals, policies and standards of the
General Plan.
2. The zone request conforms to the Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG)
Map of the General Plan which designates the subject properties for Intensive
Agricultural.
3. The Northeast Hawaii Community Development Plan (CDP), adopted in June
1979, indicates the area to be maintained for agriculture.
4. All essential utilities and services are or will be available to the subject property.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the intent and purpose of Bill No. 6 and
recommends that it pass first reading.
CES
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted
LEITHEAO-T000 X COMMITTEE P~I.fj. I G -
TvLER X ~ /
CIIUNG ~ / ly~/L~ ~1~"
RsrnoLns x AN LEITHEAD-TODD, CHAIR
SANTANGELO X
sMITn x PC REPORT NO. 3
vAGONC X ADOPTED: fAN `ll
ARAKAKI E.O.M. X