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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN MANAGING GROWTH: 3.2 Agriculture and Economic Development  Action 3.2.3.a (page 3-9) Recommend limiting variances that allow subdivisions that rely <br />on water catchment or roads that do not meet subdivision road standards to a maximum of six lots, unless the subdivision results in lots averaging at least twenty acres in size or averaging <br />at least four times the minimum lot size allowed by zoning, up to an absolute limit of twenty lots. Where lots were created by previous water catchment and/or road variances, and <br />the variance provided that further variances should not be allowed, enforce those provisions by denying further variances on such lots.  (3.2.1) Goals: a) Lands for agricultural <br />use are preserved. b) Quality agricultural land is dedicated to agricultural use in perpetuity. c) Opportunities for diversified agriculture increase. d) Puna’s agricultural production <br />emphasizes environmentally-friendly methods. e) Puna agricultural products represent an increasing local market share. f) There are more agriculture-related employment training and local <br />job opportunities for youth. g) Local job growth is primarily in “green” industries such as agriculture, alternative energy, communications technology, eco-tourism and natural resources <br />management. (3.2.2) Objectives: Discourage urban growth and further subdivision on lands that have been identified as having potential value for agricultural use through appropriate <br />zoning re-designations and new code provisions. Create larger lots for agricultural use in existing small-lot subdivisions through land pooling and other methods. Discourage real estate <br />speculation on agriculturally-zoned lands. Provide County tax incentives to promote and preserve agricultural use of lands that are currently or historically in agricultural use. Provide <br />sites and infrastructure for farmers markets at County parks and proposed village/town centers. Form partnerships with local businesses and educational institutions to advance education <br />and training in two sectors: - ‘Green’ sector, to include agriculture, alternative energy, resource recycling and recovery, and other related areas; and – The information technology <br />sector. Support agriculture tourism with emphasis on events such as orchid celebrations, papaya festivals, locally-produced food festivals (i.e., “Taste of Puna”). Promote farm business <br />such as local food stores and “farm stay” bed and breakfasts. These can be coupled with youth training programs for low income youth. Provide infrastructure support for youth education <br />and job training in the technology and agricultural sectors. Protect quality agricultural lands, especially fallow agricultural lands, through community land trusts or with tax incentives <br />for farmers. Create new “green” employment opportunities in the agricultural, alternative energy, and natural resources management in Puna.