HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-10 PD Background Report & Recommendation Report PL-REZ-2024-000006 & PL-SLU-2024-000007
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B+RRapozaRepealREZ-SLU.ja08.09.24
COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I PLANNING DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND AND RECOMMENDATION PLANNING DIRECTOR INITIATED EDWARD & RHONDALL RAPOZA
REPEAL CHANGE OF ZONE ORDINANCE NO. 10 2 (PL-PDI-2024-000006/AMEND REZ 2009-000096) & STATE LAND USE BOUNDARY ORDINANCE NO. 10 1 (PL-PDI-2024-000007/ AMEND SLU 2009-000022)
The Planning Director has initiated the repeal of Change of Zone Ordinance No. 10 2,
amendment to Section 25-8-3 (North Kona Zone Map), Chapter 25, Article 8, of the Hawai‘i
County Code 1983 (2016 edition, as amended), which will revert the current zoning of the
subject property from Single-Family Residential-10,000 square feet (RS-10) to its original
Agricultural-5 acre (A-5a) zoning district and repeal of State Land Use Boundary Ordinance No.
10 1, which will revert the State Land Use Boundary District from Urban to its original
designation of Agricultural, for approximately 14.437 acres of land. The subject parcel is located
on the south side of Hualālai Road, approximately 0.6 miles east of its intersection with Queen
Kaʻahumanu Highway, Kahului 2nd, North Kona, Hawaiʻi TMK: 7-5-017:042.
PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REQUEST
1. Request: The Planning Director is initiating a repeal of Change of Zone Ordinance No.
10 2 and State Land Use Boundary Ordinance No. 10 1 in response to a written
request, dated March 21, 2024, submitted by the property owners Edward and
Rhondall Rapoza. (Planning Department Exhibit 1- Request Letter). The repeal of
Ordinance No. 10 2 would revert the zoning of approximately 14.437 acres of land to
its original Agricultural-5 acre (A-5a) zoning district from the current Single-Family
Residential-10,000 square feet (RS-10) zoning district. According to the Zoning
Code, the Agricultural district provides for agricultural and very low density
agriculturally based residential use, encompassing rural areas of good to marginal
agricultural and grazing land, forest land, game habitats, and areas where urbanization
is not found to be appropriate. Requirements for establishing a land use in both
districts, including lists of the variety of permitted uses, are shown in Section 25-5-1
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to 8 (RS District) and Section 25-5-70 to 77 (A District) of the Zoning Code.
(Planning Department Exhibit 2 – Zoning Code Requirements for RS District
and Planning Department Exhibit 3 – Zoning Code Requirements for A District)
The repeal of Ordinance No. 10 1 would revert the State Land Use District
classification from Urban to its original classification of Agricultural for
approximately 14.437 acres of land. According to the Land Use Commission, the
State Land Use Agricultural district is characterized by lands with a high capacity for
intensive cultivation that shall be given the greatest possible protection. A list of the
variety of permitted land uses in both the Urban and the Agricultural district is shown
in Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Section 205-2(b) (Urban) and Hawai‘i Revised Statutes,
Section 205-2(d) (Agricultural). (Planning Department Exhibit 4 – Hawai‘i
Revised Statutes, Section 205-2)
2. Reason for Request: The subject property was rezoned in 2010 from A-5a to RS-10
with the objective of developing a 53-lot single-family residential subdivision. The
applicant for the original change of zone also obtained a State Land Use Boundary
Amendment from Agricultural to Urban as well as approval for a Planned Unit
Development (PUD), to allow for some smaller lot sizes of approximately 7,500 square
feet. The development was never completed, and the property was sold to the current
landowners, with a warranty deed recorded with the State Bureau of Conveyances on
February 29, 2024. By letter dated March 21, 2024, the landowners stated that their goal
is to establish a family farm and pursue long term agricultural use on the property.
3. Landowners: Edward J. Rapoza and Rhondall K. Rapoza.
STATE AND COUNTY PLANS
4. State Land Use District: Urban.
5. General Plan LUPAG Map Designation: Urban Expansion, which allows for “a mix of
high density, medium density, low density, industrial, industrial-commercial and/or open
designations in areas where new settlements may be desirable, but where the specific
settlement pattern and mix of uses have not yet been determined”.
6. County Zoning: Single-Family Residential-10,000 square feet (RS-10).
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7. Community Development Plan: The Kona CDP, originally adopted by the Hawai‘i
County Council on September 25, 2008, and most recently amended on September 18,
2019, identifies the property as located within the Kona Urban Area. Additionally, the
western (makai) portion of the property is within the preliminary Puaʻa-Waiʻaha Village
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) area.
8. Special Management Area: The subject parcel is over 1.1 miles from the nearest
shoreline and is not situated within the Special Management Area.
DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT PROPERTY AND SURROUNDING AREA
9. Subject Property: The subject 14.437-acre vacant parcel is irregular in shape and
overgrown with vegetation. The northern boundary of the parcel is partially bordered by
Hualālai Road.
10. Surrounding Land Uses/Zoning: Surrounding properties are zoned A-1a, A-5a and
RS-7.5, with uses primarily consisting of residential, agricultural and vacant land. Pualani
Estates Subdivision borders the subject property to the south, and properties to the west
and north have existing Special Permits. Parcel No. 7-5-017:044, located immediately
north of the subject property, has an approved Special Permit (SPP 21-000227) to operate
a gymnastics/sports facility, for which the applicant (Kona Aerial Gymnastic Team Inc.)
is working with the Department of Public Works to obtain building permits. Parcel No. 7-
5-017:041, located immediately west (makai) of the subject property, has an approved
Special Permit (SPP 17-000195) for a church use, for which the applicant (Living Stones
Church) has requested a time extension to complete construction. Parcel No. 7-5-
017:043, located immediately east (mauka) of the subject property, was the subject of a
request to rezone (PL-REZ-2021-000012) from an Agricultural-5 acre (A-5a) zoning
district to a Family Agricultural-1 acre (FA-1a) acre zoning district. Although the
Leeward Planning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Hawaiʻi
County Council, the change of zone was denied at the County Council’s hearing on
November 2, 2022.
11. Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM): The property is classified as Flood Zone “X”, an
area of minimal flood hazard.
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12. Flora/Fauna Resources: Vegetation on the subject property consists of introduced
grasses, kiawe, koa haole, and other grasses, vines, weeds and shrubs. Species observed
include the Zebra Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Myna, House Sparrow and House
Finch, with no known rare or endangered flora or fauna on the property.
13. Archaeological/Cultural/Historical Resources: An Archaeological Inventory Survey
was prepared by Rechtman Consulting, LLC and approved by the Department of Land
and Natural Resources, State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) on October 4, 2006.
By letter dated June 15, 2009, SHPD stated that no historic properties would be affected
by the original development project because “SHPD previously reviewed this project and
mitigation has been completed.” Mitigation consisted of a data recovery plan. According
to SHPD, data recovery fieldwork was completed and there were no sites designated for
preservation within the property.
14. Public Access: There is no designated public access to the mountain or shoreline
through the property.
UTILITIES AND SERVICES
15. Access: Access to the property is from Hualālai Road, a county collector street with an
average pavement width of 20 feet within a variable right-of-way. At the time of the
original rezoning, the Department of Public Works (DPW) noted that Hualālai Road is
substandard based on width, alignment and roadside hazard clearances.
16. Water: At the time of the original rezoning, the Department of Water Supply (DWS)
noted that the applicant was a member of the Waiaha System, LLC, which executed a
Water Development Agreement with the Water Board to secure water commitments for
the development.
17. Wastewater: There are no existing sewer facilities servicing the subject property,
however, according to the previous development’s sewer report, an 8-inch sewer
connection is available at the north end of Paulehia Street in the adjacent Pualani Estates
Subdivision. At that time, the Department of Environmental Management stated that a
sewer study would be required prior to connection to the sewer line.
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18. Solid Waste: There are no municipal waste collection services in the County. All solid
waste generated by the subject property will require private disposal at an approved
landfill.
19. Utilities and Services: Electric, cable, and telephone services are available to the
property. Kona Community Hospital is located in Kealakekua. Police and fire services
are located in Kealakehe and Kailua-Kona.
AGENCY COMMENTS
20. None were solicited or received.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
21. As of the time of this writing, the Planning Department has received no public comments
regarding this request.
PLANNING DIRECTOR’S RECOMMENDATION TO REPEAL CHANGE OF ZONE
ORDINANCE NO. 10 2
The Planning Director recommends that the Planning Commission forward a favorable
recommendation to the Hawaiʻi County Council on the request to repeal Ordinance No. 10 2,
which will revert the current zoning of the subject property from Single-Family Residential-
10,000 square feet (RS-10) to its original Agricultural-5 acre (A-5a) zoning district for
approximately 14.437 acres of land.
Since the subject parcel was rezoned, there have not been any significant land use
regulatory changes in this area. The proposed reversion to the original A-5a zoning would not be
entirely consistent with the General Plan’s Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) map
Urban Expansion Designation, which allows for a “a mix of high density, medium density, low
density, industrial, industrial-commercial and/or open designations in areas where new
settlements may be desirable, but where the specific settlement pattern and mix of uses have not
yet been determined.” However, given that other properties immediately adjacent to the subject
property have not converted to urban uses, the Planning Director believes that the reversion will
be consistent with existing surrounding zoning designations and land use patterns. The Kona
CDP identifies the property as located within the Urban Area and partially within a preliminary
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) area, but for the reasons mentioned above, the Planning
Director is supportive of the requested reversion.
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The subject parcel is not situated within the Special Management Area, there are no
known archaeological, historical, or cultural resources and no protected/endangered floral or
faunal resources found on the subject parcel.
Surrounding properties are zoned A-1a, A-5a and RS-7.5, with uses primarily consisting
of residential and agricultural with some vacant land. Pualani Estates Subdivision borders the
subject property to the south, and properties to the west and north have existing special permits
for non-agricultural uses, for which the respective applicants are working on condition
compliance. Parcel No. 7-5-017:043, located immediately east (mauka) of the subject property,
was the subject of a request to rezone from an A-5a to an FA-1a zoning district, however the
change of zone was denied by the Hawaiʻi County Council. Given the preceding, reverting the
subject property to the A-5a zoning district will be consistent with most existing surrounding
land uses and zoning.
Access to the property is from Hualālai Road, a county collector street with an average
pavement width of 20 feet within a variable right-of-way. Any future access from Hualālai Road
will need to comply with requirements of the Department of Public Works (DPW), who provided
comments to the original 2009 rezone application noting that Hualālai Road is substandard based
on width, alignment and roadside hazard clearances. Regarding water supply, the applicant at the
time was a member of the Waiaha System, LLC, which executed a Water Development
Agreement with the Water Board to secure water commitments for the development. Any future
construction permitted in the A-5a zoning district should include verification that water is
available from the Department of Water Supply (DWS) or provide an equivalent alternative.
Regarding wastewater, any future development should include consultation with the Department
of Environmental Management (DEM) as to whether connection to existing sewer lines is
required or whether the property is under Department of Health (DOH) wastewater jurisdiction.
Given the preceding and noting that utilities and services are available to the property,
infrastructure in the area is adequate to support the A-5a zoning district.
Lastly, although the recommendation to repeal Ordinance No. 10 2 will extinguish any
conditions related to the RS-10 zoning, it is made with the understanding that the landowners
remain responsible for developing the parcel in compliance with all other applicable
governmental requirements in connection with the Agricultural-5 acre (A) zoning district prior
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to its commencement or establishment upon the subject property. Additional governmental
requirements may include the issuance of building permits, compliance with County Streets,
Water, Sewer and Fire Code, installation of improvements required by the American with
Disabilities Act (ADA), among others. Compliance with all applicable governmental
requirements is a condition of this approval; failure to comply with such requirements will be
considered a violation that may result in enforcement action by the Planning Department
and/or the affected agencies.
Based on the preceding, the Planning Director recommends that the Planning
Commission forward a favorable recommendation to the County Council for the repeal of
Ordinance No. 10 2, which will revert the zoning district from Single-Family Residential-10,000
square feet (RS-10) to Agricultural-5 acre (A-5a).
PLANNING DIRECTOR’S RECOMMENDATION TO REPEAL STATE LAND USE
BOUNDARY ORDINANCE NO. 10 1
The Planning Director recommends that the Planning Commission forward a favorable
recommendation to the Hawaiʻi County Council on the request to repeal Ordinance No. 10 1,
which will revert the State Land Use Boundary District from Urban to its original designation of
Agricultural, for approximately 14.4370 acres of land.
Although surrounding properties to the south are classified Urban, with residential zoning
and uses, including Pualani Estates Subdivision, properties on all other sides of the subject
property are classified Agricultural, with agricultural zoning and uses primarily consisting of
residential, agricultural, vacant land, and non-agricultural uses approved by special permits.
Given the preceding, reverting to the Agricultural District will be consistent with existing
surrounding State Land Use classifications.
Similarly, the proposed reversion would not be entirely consistent with the General
Plan’s Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) map which designates the subject property
as Urban Expansion, as defined above. However, given that other properties immediately
adjacent to the subject property have not converted to urban uses, the Planning Director believes
that the reversion will be consistent with existing land use patterns. The Kona CDP identifies the
property as located within the Urban Area and partially within a preliminary Transit-Oriented
Development (TOD) area, but for the reasons mentioned above, the Planning Director is
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supportive of the requested reversion.
Access to the property is from Hualālai Road, a county collector street with an average
pavement width of 20 feet within a variable right-of-way. Any future access from Hualālai Road
will need to comply with requirements of the Department of Public Works (DPW), who provided
comments to the original 2009 rezone application noting that Hualālai Road is substandard based
on width, alignment and roadside hazard clearances. Regarding water supply, the applicant at the
time was a member of the Waiaha System, LLC, which executed a Water Development
Agreement with the Water Board to secure water commitments for the development. Any future
construction should include verification that water is available from the Department of Water
Supply (DWS) or provide an equivalent alternative. Regarding wastewater, any future
development should include consultation with the Department of Environmental Management
(DEM) as to whether connection to existing sewer lines is required or whether the property is
under Department of Health (DOH) wastewater jurisdiction.
Given the preceding and noting that utilities, services and infrastructure in the area is
adequate to support uses allowable in the Agricultural District, the Planning Director
recommends that the Planning Commission forward a favorable recommendation to the County
Council for the repeal of Ordinance No. 10 1 which will revert the State Land Use District
classification from the Urban to the Agricultural District.
March 21, 2024
Zendo Kern
Planning Director
County of Hawaii Planning Department
Aupuni Center
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720-3043
TMK: 3-7-5-017-042
Dear Mr. Kern:
Please consider this letter as a formal request to revert the above referenced TMK to its original
zoning of agriculture (A-5a) and State land use agriculture.
We have purchased this property to establish a family farm and pursue long term agriculture use.
As always, thank you for your consideration and timely response. If you have any questions
please contact us by email, ed@edrapoza.com, or by phone, 808-937-3965.
Sincerel ,
1(I
Edwar. and Rhondall Rapoza
PO Box 2077, Kailua Kona, HI 96745
ZONING § 25-4-68
25-73
Section 25-4-68. Grounds for approval or denial.
The director shall approve an application for recognition of a de minimis structure
position discrepancy unless:
(a) The discrepancy is greater than the difference as allowed by the de minimis
structure position discrepancy definition, or
(b) The director finds that the improvement was placed with knowledge that it would
violate the minimum yard or open space requirements; or
(c) The improvement could be moved, or the discrepancy otherwise corrected, without
significant expense, difficulty, or hardship to the applicant.
(2002, ord 02-70, sec 3.)25-4-68
Section 25-4-69. Recognition of de minimis structure position discrepancy.
If the director accepts the application for recognition of de minimis structure
position discrepancy, the director shall notify the applicant in writing that the
discrepancy is not a violation of the zoning code and that it may remain in place without
a variance.
(2002, ord 02-70, sec 3.)25-4-69
Section 25-4-70. Disclosure.
A de minimis structure position discrepancy shall be disclosed by the owner to
subsequent purchasers of the property in question.
(2002, ord 02-70, sec 3.)25-4-70
Section 25-4-71. Appeals.
The director’s decision with respect to a de minimis structure position discrepancy
is appealable to the board of appeals.
(2002, ord 02-70, sec 3.)25-4-71
Article 5. Zoning District Regulations.
Division 1. RS, Single-Family Residential Districts.
Section 25-5-1. Purpose and applicability.
The RS (single-family residential) district provides for lower or low and medium
density residential use, for urban and suburban family life. It applies to areas having
facilities, and to carry out the above stated purpose.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-1
Section 25-5-2. Designation of RS districts.
Each RS (single-family residential) district shall be designated on the zoning map
by the symbol “RS” followed by a number which specifies the required minimum
building site area in thousands of square feet.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-2
§ 25-5-3 HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE
SUPP. 10 (7-2021)25-74
Section 25-5-3. Permitted uses.
(a) The following uses shall be permitted in the RS district:
(1) Adult day care homes.
(2) Cemeteries and mausoleums, as permitted under chapter 6, article 1 of this
Code.
(3) Community buildings, as permitted under section 25-4-11.
(4) Crop production.
(5) Dwellings, single-family.
(6) Family child care homes.
(7) Group living facilities.
(8) Home occupations, as permitted under section 25-4-13.
(9) Meeting facilities.
(10) Model homes, as permitted under section 25-4-8.
(11) Neighborhood parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, swimming pools, and similar
neighborhood recreational areas and uses.
(12) Public uses and structures, as permitted under section 25-4-11.
(13) Short-term vacation rentals situated in the general plan resort and resort node
areas.
(14) Temporary real estate offices, as permitted under section 25-4-8.
(15) Utility substations, as permitted under section 25-4-11.
(b) In addition to those uses permitted under subsection (a) above, the following uses
may be permitted in the RS district, provided that a use permit is issued for each
use:
(1) Bed and breakfast establishments as permitted under section 25-4-7.
(2) Care homes.
(3) Churches, temples and synagogues.
(4) Crematoriums, funeral homes, funeral services, and mortuaries.
(5) Day care centers.
(6) Golf courses and related golf course uses, including golf driving ranges, golf
maintenance buildings and golf club houses, provided that the property is
within the state land use urban or rural district. Golf courses and golf driving
ranges shall not be permitted within the state land use agricultural district
unless approved by the County before July 1, 2005.
(7) Hospitals, sanitariums, old age, convalescent, nursing and rest homes.
(8) Medical clinics.
(9) Schools.
(10) Telecommunication antennas and towers.
(11) Yacht harbors and boating facilities.
(c) Buildings and uses normally considered directly accessory to the uses permitted in
this section shall also be permitted in the RS district.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 2012, ord 12-28, sec 3; am 2014, ord
14-86, sec 3; am 2018, ord 18-114, sec 5; am 2019, ord 19-100, sec 3; am 2021, ord 21-26,
sec 5.)25-5-3
Section 25-5-4. Height limit.
The height limit in the RS district shall be thirty-five feet.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-4
ZONING § 25-5-5
25-75
Section 25-5-5. Minimum building site area.
The minimum building site area in the RS district shall be seven thousand five
hundred square feet.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-5
Section 25-5-6. Minimum building site average width.
Each building site in the RS district shall have a minimum average width of sixty
feet, plus two feet for each five hundred square feet of required building site area in
excess of seven thousand five hundred square feet, except that no building site shall be
required to have an average width of more than one hundred fifty feet.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-6
Section 25-5-7. Minimum yards.
The minimum yards in the RS district shall be as follows:
(1) On a building site with a required area of seven thousand five hundred square
feet to and including nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine square feet:
(A) Front and rear yards, fifteen feet; and
(B) Side yards, eight feet.
(2) On a building site with a required area of ten thousand square feet to and
including nineteen thousand nine hundred ninety-nine square feet:
(A) Front and rear yards, twenty feet; and
(B) Side yards, ten feet.
(3) On a building site with a required area of twenty thousand square feet or
more:
(A) Front and rear yards, twenty-five feet; and
(B) Side yards, fifteen feet.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 1997, ord 97-88, sec 1.)25-5-7
Section 25-5-8. Other regulations.
(a) There may be more than one single-family dwelling on each building site in an RS
district provided there is not less than the required minimum building site area for
each dwelling.
(b) One guest house, in addition to a single-family dwelling, may be located on any
building site in the RS district.
(c) An ohana dwelling may be located on any building site in the RS district, as
permitted under article 6, division 3 of this chapter.
(d) If a legal building site in the RS district has less area or average width than is
required, then the yard requirements for the building site shall be the same as in
the RS district having the largest requirements for which the building site can
comply.
(e) Exceptions to the regulations for the RS district regarding heights, building site
areas, building site average widths and yards, may be approved by the commission
within a planned unit development, or by the director within a cluster plan
development.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 2015, ord 15-33, sec 3.)25-5-8
ZONING § 25-5-67
25-91
(e) Exceptions to the regulations for the FA district regarding heights, building site
areas, building site average widths and yards, may be approved by the commission
within a planned unit development.
(f) Plan approval shall be required prior to the construction or installation of any new
structure or development, or of any addition to an existing structure or
development which is used for minor agricultural products processing.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 2015, ord 15-33, sec 4.)25-5-67
Division 7. A, Agricultural Districts.
Section 25-5-70. Purpose and applicability.
The A (agricultural) district provides for agricultural and very low density
agriculturally-based residential use, encompassing rural areas of good to marginal
agricultural and grazing land, forest land, game habitats, and areas where urbanization
is not found to be appropriate.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-70
Section 25-5-71. Designation of A districts.
Each A (agricultural) district shall be designated on the zoning map by the symbol
“A” followed by a number together with the lower case letter “a” which indicates the
required or minimum number of acres for each building site. For example, A-10a means
an agricultural district with a minimum building site area of ten acres.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-71
Section 25-5-72. Permitted uses.
(a) The following uses shall be permitted in the A district:
(1) Agricultural parks.
(2) Agricultural products processing, major and minor.
(3) Agricultural tourism as permitted under section 25-4-15.
(4) Animal hospitals.
(5) Aquaculture.
(6) Botanical gardens, nurseries and greenhouses, seed farms, plant experimental
stations, arboretums, floriculture, and similar uses dealing with the growing of
plants.
(7) Campgrounds, parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, swimming pools, and other
similar open area recreational facilities, where none of the recreational
features are entirely enclosed in a building.
(8) Cemeteries and mausoleums, as permitted under chapter 6, article 1 of this
Code.
(9) Crop production.
(10) Dwelling, single-family, as permitted under chapter 205, Hawai‘i Revised
Statutes and as permitted under section 25-5-77(b).
(11) Farm dwellings, as permitted under section 25-5-77(b) and (c).
§ 25-5-72 HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE
25-92
(12) Fertilizer yards utilizing only manure and soil, for commercial use.
(13) Forestry.
(14) Game and fish propagation.
(15) Group living facilities.
(16) Kennels.
(17) Livestock production, provided that piggeries, apiaries, and pen feeding of
livestock shall only be located on sites approved by the State department of
health and the director, and must be located no closer than one thousand feet
away from any major public street or from any other zoning district.
(18) Public uses and structures which are necessary for agricultural practices.
(19) Retention, restoration, rehabilitation, or improvement of building or sites of
historic or scenic interest.
(20) Riding academies, and rental or boarding stables.
(21) Roadside stands for the sale of agricultural products grown on the premises.
(22) Utility substations, as permitted under section 25-4-11.
(23) Vehicle and equipment storage areas that are directly accessory to
aquaculture, crop production, game and fish propagation, livestock grazing
and livestock production.
(24) Veterinary establishments.
(25) Wind energy facilities.
(b) The following uses may be permitted in the A district, provided that a use permit is
issued for each use:
(1) Golf courses and related golf course uses, including golf course driving ranges,
golf maintenance buildings and golf club houses, provided that the property is
within the state land use urban or rural district. Golf courses and golf driving
ranges shall not be permitted within the state land use agricultural district
unless approved by the County before July 1, 2005.
(2) Telecommunication antennas and towers.
(c) The following uses may be permitted in the A district, provided that a special
permit is obtained for such use if the building site is located within the State land
use agricultural district:
(1) Adult day care homes.
(2) Airfields, heliports, and private landing strips.
(3) Bed and breakfast establishments, as permitted under section 25-4-7.
(4) Community buildings, as permitted under section 25-4-11.
(5) Excavation or removal of natural building material or minerals, for
commercial use.
(6) Family child care homes.
(7) Guest ranches.
(8) Home occupations, as permitted under section 25-4-13.
(9) Lodges.
(10) Meeting facilities.
(11) Model homes, as permitted under section 25-4-8.
(12) Public dumps.
ZONING § 25-5-72
25-93 SUPP. 10 (7-2021)
(13) Public uses and structures, other than those necessary for agricultural
practices, as provided under section 25-4-11.
(14) Temporary real estate offices, as permitted under section 25-4-8.
(15) Trailer parks with density of three thousand five hundred square feet of land
area per trailer, provided that plan approval is secured prior to commencing
such use.
(16) Uses, other than those specifically listed in this section, which meet the
standards for a special permit under chapter 205, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes.
(d) The following uses may be permitted in the A district, provided that either a use
permit is issued for each use if the building site is outside of the State land use
agricultural district or a special permit is issued for each use if the building site is
within the State land use agricultural district:
(1) Bed and breakfast establishments, as permitted under section 25-4-7.
(2) Crematoriums, funeral homes, funeral services, and mortuaries.
(3) Churches, temples and synagogues.
(4) Day care centers.
(5) Hospitals, sanitariums, old age, convalescent, nursing and rest homes.
(6) Major outdoor amusement and recreation facilities.
(7) Medical clinics.
(8) Schools.
(e) Buildings and uses accessory to the uses permitted in this section shall also be
permitted in the A district.
(f) No building site shall be established after December 1, 1996 which shall in any way
restrict or limit aquaculture, horticulture, production of crops, keeping of livestock,
game and fish propagation, or the processing, sale or other commercial use of the
products of such uses.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 2008, ord 08-155, sec 13; am 2010,
ord 10-17, sec 6; am 2012, ord 12-28, sec 9; ord 12-124, sec 8; am 2014, ord 14-86, sec 9;
am 2021, ord 21-26, sec 10.)25-5-72
Section 25-5-73. Height limit.
The height limit in the A district shall be thirty-five feet for any residential
structure, including any single-family dwelling, or farm dwelling, and forty-five feet for
all other structures. The director may, however, permit by plan approval, any
nonresidential agricultural structures to be constructed to a height of one hundred feet,
if the director determines that the additional height above the forty-five foot height
limit is necessary.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-73
Section 25-5-74. Minimum building site area.
The minimum building site area in the A district shall be five acres.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-74
§ 25-5-75 HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE
25-94
Section 25-5-75. Minimum building site average width.
Each building site in the A district shall have a minimum average width of two
hundred feet for the first five acres of required area plus twenty feet for each additional
acre of required area. Provided that no building site shall be required to have an
average width greater than one thousand feet.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-75
Section 25-5-76. Minimum yards.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the minimum yards in the A district
shall be thirty feet for front and rear yards, and twenty feet for side yards.
(b) For accessory uses such as shade cloth structures used in controlling the amount of
sunlight in the raising of plants and flowers, rear, side and front yards in the A
district shall be at least ten feet, except where the A district shares common
boundaries with urban zones and main government roads.
(c) For accessory uses such as plastic roofed and shade cloth wooden or metal framed
structures used in controlling the amount of sunlight, rainfall, wind and other
elements of nature in the raising of fruits, vegetables and similar agricultural
products, rear, side and front yards shall be at least ten feet except where:
(1) Exterior walls of any type other than shade cloth are added to the wooden or
metal framed structure;
(2) The specific use allowed is abandoned; and
(3) The A district shares common boundaries with urban zones and main
government roads.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 1999, ord 99-110, sec 1.)25-5-76
Section 25-5-77. Other regulations.
(a) If any legal building site in the A district has an area of less than five acres, then
the yard, minimum building site average width and height requirements for the
building site shall be the same as the yard and height requirements in the
FA district.
(b) One single-family dwelling or one farm dwelling shall be permitted on any building
site in the A district. A farm dwelling is a single-family dwelling that is located on
or used in connection with a farm or if the agricultural activity provides income to
the family occupying the dwelling.
(c) Additional farm dwellings may be permitted in the A district only upon the
following conditions:
(1) A farm dwelling agreement for each additional farm dwelling, on a form
prepared by the director, shall be executed between the owner of the building
site, any lessee having a lease on the building site with a term exceeding one
year from the date of the farm dwelling agreement, and the County. The
agreement shall require the dwelling to be used for farm-related purposes.
ZONING § 25-5-77
25-95
(2) The applicant shall submit an agricultural development and use program,
farm plan or other evidence of the applicant’s continual agricultural
productivity or farming operation within the County to the director. Such plan
shall also show how the farm dwelling will be utilized for farm-related
purposes.
(d) An ohana dwelling may be located on any building site in the A district, as
permitted under article 6, division 3 of this chapter.
(e) Exceptions to the regulations for the A district regarding heights, building site
areas, building site average widths and yards, may be approved by the commission
within a planned unit development.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 2015, ord 15-33, sec 4.)25-5-77
Division 8. IA, Intensive Agricultural Districts.
Section 25-5-80. Purpose and applicability.
The IA (intensive agricultural) district provides for the preservation of important
agricultural lands as provided for in the general plan and characterized by a mix of
small and large scale commercial farms and other agricultural operations which may
include residential use in the form of farm dwellings closely tied to intensive
agricultural use. The lands in the IA district are those lands which have the soil,
quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to sustain high yields of crops
generally or of specific crops of statewide or local importance when managed according
to modern farming methods. All IA districts shall be located within the State land use
agricultural or conservation district.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-80
Section 25-5-81. Designation of IA districts.
The IA (intensive agricultural) district shall be designated by the symbol “IA”
followed by a number together with the lower case letter “a” which indicates the
required or minimum number of acres for each building site.
(1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999.)25-5-81
Section 25-5-82. Permitted uses.
(a) The following uses shall be permitted in the IA district:
(1) Agricultural parks.
(2) Agricultural products processing, major and minor.
(3) Agricultural tourism as permitted under section 25-4-15.
(4) Aquaculture.
(5) Cemeteries, as permitted under chapter 6, article 1 of this Code.
(6) Crop production.
(7) Farm dwellings, as permitted under sections 25-5-87(b) and (c).
(8) Forestry.