HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-48 SPP 12-143 Paradise HelicoptersCommunication No. 2012-48
SPECIAL PERMIT APPLICATION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
(Type or Print the requested information)
APPLICANT Rob Pavesko.. Director of Business- Dexelot)ment. Paradise Relic
APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE:
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 537I ---- dw" — be-
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745
DATE: _Q18
LIST APPLICANT'S INTEREST IF NOT OWNER-. Director _of Business Development. Paradise Helicopters
TELEPHONE: (Bus. 329-6601 —(Home) (Fax) 329-6602
REQUEST: Helicopter landing area in the Mn�cijltural district.
TAX MAP KEY: (31-1--l-114:022 ZONING: A-la
AREA OF PROPERTY/AREA OF REQUESTED USE 1.003 acres 1225 s.f.
LANDOWNER: Jackie &y Thom son
LANDOWNER'S SIGNATURE: DATE:
(May be by letter)
LANDOWNER'S ADDRESS: P . Box 1624 :
Pahoa, Hawaii 96778
1
AGENT: GM&gcy K.Mooers
ADDRESS: Mooers EnteWr,ises LLC
P.O. Box 1.101
Kamuela.
, Hawaii 96743
TELEPHONE: (Bus.) 880-1455
_(Home) -880-1454 —(Fax) 880-1456
Please indicate to whom original correspondence and copies should be sent to:
ORIGINAL Gregory -Mooers. COPIES: Rob Pavesko
Paradise Helicopters Special Permit Application
SPECIAL PERMIT APPLICATION
Applicant: Paradise Helicopters
Request: Helicopter Landing Area in the Agricultural District
Tax Map Key: 1-1-114:022
Royal Gardens Subdivision, Puna, Hawaii
INTRODUCTION
The owner of the subject property, TMK-.- (3) 1-1-114:022, is Jackie Ray Thompson. The
applicant is Rob Payesko, Director of Business Development for Paradise Helicopters.
The subject property, a 1.003 acre parcel, is located on the north side of Plumeria Street
in the Royal Gardens subdivision, a large subdivision of one-acre lots in the Puna
District. The subdivision has been inundated by lava flows from Kilauea and is, for the
most part, uninhabited. Mr. Thompson's home is the only occupied home within two
miles in any direction. The steep terrain of the kipuka in which Mr. Thompson's house is
located is surrounded by lava and offers views of the coastline below. Coupled with the
usually sunny and breezy weather, the site offers a scenic experience for visitors.
Paradise Helicopters has used the subject property as a landing area gin the past., but was
notified by Hawaii County Civil Defense that a Special Pennit is required for such a use
to continue. The use of the subject property as a landing area has been discontinued until
11 0 0
this matter is considered y e Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission.
Principals from Paradise Helicopters and their agents met with the Planning Director and
members of her staff in March, 2011, to review the proposed use and to clarify procedural
matters. Dr. Ron Terry, Geometrician Associates, LLC, has conducted a site visit and
prepared an environmental review. His observations and conclusions are included in this
application.
Paradise Helicopters Special Permit Application
Paradise Helicopters would like to resume landings on the subject property as part of their
volcano tours. The landing area provides the visitors with an up close look at the stark
contrast of the lava inundation in an area of tropical beauty with scenic vistas of the
Iocean.
NATURE OF THE RE VEST
Paradise Helicopters, who has been in business in Hawaii for 9-years on Oahu and
Hawaii Island, is requesting a Special Permit to allow helicopter landings on a one-acre
parcel in the Royal Gardens subdivision. The applicant has over thirty employees and a
Iclean safety record with no major incidents.
The applicants would like to land daily at the site between 9.-00am and 5:00pm, there will
be no night flights. They anticipate up to four flights per day with four to six passengers
and one pilot on each flight. The normal flight pattern, which may vary with weather and
eruption activity, is from the Hilo airport to the Pu'u O'o vent, to the subject property and
then returning to the Hilo airport. The applicant anticipates that they will be on the
ground for thirty minutes each trip to allow the visitors an opportunity to view the lava,
flora and natural terrain up close.
W,l There will be no fueling facilities, fire fighting equipment, lighting, retail operations or
restroom facilities on the subject parcel. The improvements will consist of a 15' x 15'
41 landing platform only.
COUNTY AND STATE PLANS
State Land Use Designation.:
The State Land Use District classification is "Agricultural ".
General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation
1 -guide MaiD:
The General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation guide map designates this area as
"extensive agriculture".
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