PD Recommendation Report BWA LLC (PL-SPP-2023-033)

Home

RBotanical WorldAmendSPP.mp02-22-2023 COUNTY OF HAWAI`I PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION BWA LLC DBA BOTANICAL WORLD ADVENTURES AMENDMENT TO SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 04-005 (PL-SPP-2023-000033) Upon careful review of the request against the guidelines for granting an amendment, the Planning Director recommends that a 5-year extension of time to Condition No. 2 of Special Permit No. 04-005 be approved by the Planning Commission. Since this recommendation is made without the benefit of public testimony, the Director reserves the right to modify and/or alter this recommendation based upon additional information presented at the public hearing. This approval recommendation is based on the following findings: The applicant has submitted a request for a five-year extension of time to comply with Condition No. 2 (time to complete construction) of Special Permit No. 04-005. The condition currently states, "Construction of the proposed development shall be completed within five years from the effective date of this amended permit. Prior to construction, the applicant, successors or assigns shall secure Final Plan Approval for the proposed development from the Planning Director in accordance with Section 25-2-70, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code), Hawaii County Code. Plans shall identify all existing and/or proposed structures,paved driveway access and parking stalls associated with the proposed development. Landscaping shall also be indicated on the plans for the purpose of mitigating any adverse noise or visual impacts to adjacent properties in accordance with the requirements of Planning Department's Rule No. 17 (Landscaping Requirements)." According to the applicant, development plans have recently changed such that the visitor center will be smaller in area than originally proposed and constructed as two small buildings rather than one large building, one to include an office, storage and restroom and a second for the downsized visitor center. Special Permit No. 04-005 was initially approved on June 5, 2005 to World Botanical Gardens to allow the construction of a visitor's center,parking lot, and related improvements on approximately 3.53 acres of land. On May 19, 2010, the Planning Director granted a 5-year extension of time until June 8, 2015, to complete construction of the project in compliance with Condition No. 2. On October 1, 2013, the applicant acquired the assets of the previous applicant, World