HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgriculture (Focused Discussion) Supplementary HandoutDRAFT HAMAKUA CDP FOCUSED DISCUSSION —Agriculture —May 25,2o16
Laupahoehoe Library — Humanities Room, Laupahoehoe
Excerpts from the Draft H -am akua CDP
The rationale behind each strategy is in the Draft CDP Rationale Document
County Land Use Policies & Actions
"Land Use Policies" are the official land use policy guidance for the Hamakua CDP planning area and shall be
implemented through all County of Hawai'i actions. In addition, the Land Use Policies shall inform County
recommendations to other agencies, including the State Land Use Commission regarding district boundary
amendments, special permits, and other applications in the Hamakua Planning Area. The Land Use Policies within
the Hamakua CDP limit the range of decisions that can be made in the future; for instance, land use policies that
specifically designate future settlement or transportation patterns. These binding, sometimes restrictive policy
controls may include use of the term "shall," which, from a legal standpoint, means the policy is imperative or
mandatory.
"County Actions" are the official County policies to guide future County priorities and initiatives, including
operating and capital budgets. These policies are not mandated, legally -binding, or self -implementing; rather,
they often require additional legislative and administrative directives before being implemented (e.g., land
acquisition, capital improvement appropriations, code changes, incentive measures).
3.1. Land Use & Settlement Patterns
All of the CDP Land Use Policies are designed to preserve the preferred future settlement pattern and achieve the
Community Objectives. Land Use Policies that are designed to protect coastal areas, agricultural lands, mauka
forests, scenic areas, sensitive ecosystems, cultural resources, and public access are included in related elements of
Section 4: Protect and Enhance Natural and Cultural Resources, below. The Land Use Policies in section 3.1 speak
more generally to the preservation of the preferred land use and settlement pattern in Hamakua, including the
relative location of residential, commercial, industrial, rural, and agricultural areas.
Land Use Policies
Policy 4: In order to preserve larger lot agricultural lands for productive agricultural use, allow rural development
on lands near urban areas where an intermediate land use between residential and productive agricultural areas
is consistent with the surrounding uses and rural character. This is reflected in the location of "Rural" (R) areas on
the official Land Use Policy Map, which is intended to facilitate changes of zone to "Residential and Agricultural
District" (RA) or the "Family Agricultural District" (FA). The maximum density for the Rural designation in the
Planning Area shall be 1 unit per 1 acre.
Policy 5: In the official Land Use Policy Map, the urban growth boundary between developed areas (designated
"Low/Medium Density Urban") and lands designated as agricultural or rural (designated "Important Agriculture
Land" or "Extensive Agriculture" or "Rural") is intended to be parcel -specific in the Hamakua CDP planning area.
Areas that are clearly beyond the designated urban growth boundaries shall be preserved as rural or agricultural
lands to maintain open space, scenic view planes, and natural beauty areas.
This policy clarifies that the urban growth boundary established with the Hamakua CDP Land Use Policy Map
establishes parcel specific UGBs whenever practical at the intersection between Urban and Rural/Agricultural land
uses. The CDP strategy of designating parcel -specific Urban designations adds clarity and specificity, increases
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transparency into the land use designation process, and more accurately reflects the County's and the
Community's land use goals and intentions.
4.1 Expand the Local System of Preserves
This section of the CDP guides the expansion of lands held in public trust, supports landowners establishing
conservation and agricultural easements and using agricultural and forestry land preservation programs, and
encourages Natural Area Reserves to pursue acquisition priorities.
County Action
Policy 16: Identify and secure in public trust (fee simple or by easement) priority lands that achieve one or more
of Hamakua's Objectives.
■ Seek to use conservation easement or acquisition opportunities through funding sources such as PONC,
etc., once critical habitat areas are identified as priorities to protect.
■ Seek to protect with easements or acquire suitable important coastal lands that would protect viewsheds,
provide the public with access to scenic viewing areas, or otherwise promote appropriate coastal
recreation and subsistence.
■ Support the efforts of landowners in establishing conservation and agricultural easements to preserve
important resources in perpetuity.
See also Policy 49 for a policy related to prioritizing community accesses in the Hamakua Planning Area.
4.3 Protect Agricultural Lands & Open Space
This section of the CDP protects agricultural land and open space from non-agricultural development with the CDP
Land Use Policy Map, stronger farm dwelling regulations, minimum lot sizes, tax incentive programs, development
of transfer of development rights (TDR), land bank programs, and State Important Agricultural Land designations.
Land Use Polices
Policy 24: To preserve the agricultural character of Hamakua and to reinforce existing protections, the official
Hamakua CDP Land Use Policy Map designates agricultural lands in the Hamakua Planning Area to be preserved
for agriculture and open space. Development and construction in "Important Agricultural Land" and "Extensive
Agriculture" areas shall be limited to agriculture, related economic infrastructure and cottage industries,
renewable energy, open area recreational uses, and community facilities unless otherwise permitted by law.
For more information on permitted uses in State Agricultural District and County Agricultural Zone see HRS
sections 205-2 and 205-4.5, and HCC section 25-2-60 for information on use permits in the Agricultural Zone.
Policy 25: When considering applications to consolidate and resubdivide pre-existing lots of record, the Director
of Planning shall endeavor to keep the lot sizes consistent with the minimum lot size, and only permit lots less
than one acre in the State Land Use Agriculture District and the County of Hawai'i Agricultural District if the
applicant clearly demonstrates that an unreasonable economic hardship cannot otherwise be prevented or land
utilization is improved relative to the objectives and policies of the CDP. (HRS 205-5(b); (GP 14.2.3(s)).
Policy 26: The Planning Commission shall include in any Special Permit approval (or recommendation for approval
to the State Land Use Commission) appropriate performance conditions to achieve CDP objectives and implement
CDP policies. (HRS 205-6(c) and Planning Commission Rules 6-3(a)(5)(G), 6-7, & 6-8).
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County Actions
Policy 27: Educate landowners interested in subdividing agricultural lands on the option to subdivide as a farm
subdivision pursuant to Hawai'i County Code section 23-112.
Policy 28: Amend the Zoning Code Section 25-2-71 to require Plan Approval for commercial open area
recreational uses in the "Important Agriculture Land" and "Extensive Agriculture" designations.
Policy 29: Recommend lands to be designated State Important Agricultural Lands to the State Land Use
Commission. (GP 14.2.2(a) & 14.2.3(i))
Policy 30: Revise Planning Commission Rule 6, and/or to the Special Permit Application form (for Special Permits
in the Agricultural District) to include clarity on the potential impacts to be evaluated in the application process
and to clearly articulate the types of mitigating conditions that may be required. (HRS 205-6(c) and Planning
Commission Rules 6-3(a)(5)(G), 6-7, & 6-8).
For examples of conditions, look for applicable conditions used in the Concurrency Requirements from HCC 25-2-
46 and Agricultural Tourism, HCC 25-2-75 and 25-4-15.
Policy 31: Amend the County Code and associated Planning Department Rules to establish reporting and
inspection requirements, as well as enforcement for additional farm dwellings to ensure that dwellings are used
for farm -related purposes.
Policy 32: Update the County of Hawai'i's property tax reduction programs to ensure that public tax incentives for
agricultural land uses result in public benefits and promote agricultural land use and production.
4.6 Protect and Enhance Ecosystems and Watersheds
This section of the CDP encourages increasing County capacity and participation in watershed planning and the
collaborative development/implementation of resource management plans, and the enforcement necessary to
protect ecosystems.
County Actions
Policy 43: Increase capacity to provide education and outreach and enforce conditions on grading and grubbing
permits to require screen planting, erosion control planting, or other treatments to maintain the good appearance
of graded areas, reduce the detrimental impact on adjacent properties, and protect watersheds. (HCC 10-12 (c))
Policy 44: To further watershed management goals, collaborate with the Department of Health, the Mauna Kea
Watershed Alliance, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the Soil and Water Conservation
District to reduce runoff, maximize soil and water conservation, and protect and effectively manage watersheds
and natural areas. (HRS 342D, HAR 11-54-3, GP 4.3(g), 5.2(e) & (f), 5.3(e), (n), & (o), and 8.2(e) & (j))
The County could participate in watershed planning in the following ways:
1. Build staff capacity and provide training to support development and implementation of stream
management plans;
2. Initiate a conservation planning process for priority watersheds with Conservation Technical Assistance
(CTA) from NRCS;
3. Enter into a partnership agreement with the Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance via MOU Process;
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4. Work with partners such as UH Hilo, Hawai'i Community College, Hawai'i County Research and
Development, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Kohala Center on a pilot program to train
UH/HCC students to assist with Conservation Planning. (GP 8.3 (e), (k), (j), (1));
5. Support best management practices through various regulatory review processes conducted by the
department; such as farm dwelling permits and conservation permits, and through environmental reviews
of publicly leased lands;
6. Identify streams and stream corridors as candidates for further protections, and once identified, prioritize
and seek to acquire corridors for further management;
7. Collaborate with the Waipi'o Valley community in implementing the Waipi'o Valley Stream Management
Plan.
The above actions can be implemented independently of each other and do not reflect prioritization by their
listing order. The goal of this policy is that the County becomes actively involved in watershed planning.
4.9 Preserving Sacred Places: Waipi`o Valley and Mauna Kea
This section of the CDP identifies Waipi'o Valley and Mauna Kea as sacred places needing special attention. This
section specifically addresses natural and cultural resource protections for both of these unique areas, but the
section also addresses other elements of the CDP that are specific to these places.
County Action
Policy 55: Provide a property tax credit for landowners for the perpetual conservation of taro systems on private
land (i.e. agricultural, conservation or cultural easements) for owners and lessees who enter into long term
agreements (20 years) to rehabilitate taro systems to active use.
6.2 Strengthening Local Agricultf
This section of the CDP guides efforts to strengthen the local agriculture value chain, including agricultural land
acquisition, agricultural parks and water systems, the diversification of agriculture -based businesses on
agricultural land, and agricultural tourism.
County Actions
Policy 111: Implement the County of Hawai'i Agriculture Development Plan of 2010 (adopted via resolution no.61-
11). In particular:
■ Marshal resources for key infrastructure projects that would broadly benefit the agricultural sector;
■ Serve as a liaison and ombudsman for local agricultural ventures and interests and government agencies
at the county, State, and U.S. federal levels;
■ Provide extension and inspection services.
Policy 115: Support the development of private, County, and State agricultural parks to make agricultural land
available for agricultural activities. (GP 14.2.3(k))
Policy 116: Cooperate with appropriate State and Federal agencies and the private sector to develop, improve
and expand agricultural water systems in appropriate areas on the island. (GP 11.2.2(j))
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K6kua Actions
"K6kua Actions" are actions that would help advance CDP Objectives but are within the jurisdiction of non -County
governmental agencies or other entities. Depending on the context, these actions may be initiated via CDP
advocacy, collaborative agency partnerships, or through direct or indirect support to the lead agency in
implementing the specified action; but ultimately, K6kua Actions are dependent on non -County action.
Hawai'i State Legislature
Kokua Action 7: Pass legislation enabling land banks that counties can use to acquire tax -delinquent properties
and use them to preserve agricultural land and open space.
K6kua Action 17: Provide the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) the resources necessary to
actively support local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD). (HRS Chapter 180).
United States Congress
K6kua Action 19: Provide sufficient funding to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS), Pacific Islands Area (PIA), the Farm Service Agency, and the Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS) to adequately implement critical conservation programs.
State Department of Agriculture
K6kua Action 29: Apply for Specialty Crop Block Grants to strengthen taro production.
State of Hawai'i Department of Education
K6kua Action 66: Develop and support Farm to School programs and other programs designed to provide locally
produced food to Planning Area schools.
State of Hawai'i, Department of Health (and Dept. of Ag — USDA)
K6kua Action 67: Work with local farmers/producers to educate and facilitate the development and management
of farmers markets within the Planning Area. (GP 2.3 (u))
■ Increase safe food handling education opportunities tailored to farmers;
■ Increase transparency on policy and education on DOH rules relating to food production and food service.
State of Hawai'i, Department of Agriculture
K6kua Action 68: Support the development of agricultural parks to make agricultural land available for
agricultural activities. (GP 14.2.3(k))
K6kua Action 69: Cooperate with County and Federal agencies and the private sector to develop, improve and
expand agricultural water systems in appropriate areas on the island. (GP 11.2.2(j))
University of Hawaii at Hilo / Hawai'i Community College
K6kua Action 70: Prioritize development of programs and research that increases local agricultural capacity,
including marketing and other small business training.
K6kua Action 71: Explore the feasibility of establishing an aquacultural program in the Hamakua Planning area for
research, demonstration, and development purposes. (GP 2.4.2.2(i))
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Community Actions
"Community Actions" are initiatives that must be led by the community with support from a broad range of
organizations and agencies.
Community Action 5: Community Action 5: Educate landowners about agriculture, ranch, and forestry land
preservation programs and encourage participation in these programs.
Community Action 9: Partner with the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species and the Big Island Invasive
Species Committee in managing invasive species.
Community Action 10: Community Action 10: Promote soil and water conservation best practices.
Community Action 43: Coordinate regional strategies to increase "buying local."
Community Action 44: Strengthen the local agriculture value chain by:
■ Develop a marketing brand for Hamakua products (Assist in the promotion of products produced in
Hamakua (GP 2.3(t)).
■ Support Farm to School/Farm to Table Programs, CSAs, and other local farm -to -consumer initiatives;
■ Support and develop celebratory events that support agriculture (e.g., festivals, rodeos, parades,
community gathering events at farmers' markets, etc.).
■ Work to effectively manage or eradicate invasive species that impact agricultural production.
Community Action 45: Promote farmers' market events as community and visitor gathering places.
Community Action 47: Collaborate with farm groups, community organizations, and the County to support the
Kohala Center's research and training programs (i.e., the Ku I Ka Mana farmer training program).
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