HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOR-17-111161 DOADAVID Y.IGE 9 SCOTT E.ENRIGHT; ` : •4n/
Governor i # `}5 Chairperson:Board of Agriculture
SHAN S.TSUTSUI i' ti "' " rIK 7• O LLIS SHIMABUKURO-GEISER
Lt.GovernorE& 7 1? SPR . Deputy to the-Chairperson
1'' --: n,:,,P.'iENT .State of Hawaii r-„.. i;,,- •-
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SIJ' Vr F i tiir il
1428 South King Street
Honolulu,Hawaii 96814-2512
Phone: (808)973-9600 FAX: (808)973-9613
April 21, 2017
Mr. Michael Yee, Director
Planning Department
County of Hawaii
East Hawaii Office
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Mr. Yee:
Subject: Review of the Draft Hamakua Community Development Plan
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has reviewed the Draft Hamakua
Community Development Plan (Hamakua CDP) and offers the following comments.
Important Agricultural Lands (IAL) designation within the Hamakua CDP
The Hamakua CDP's Revised Land Use Guide Maps have "Important Ag. Lands" as a
land designation (Section 3.1.7, figures 2-13). According to the accompanying Land
Use Planner's Guide (pages 6-7)for the Hamakua CDP, lands identified as IAL were
determined by the following:
Lands identified as "Intensive Agriculture" on the 1989 General Plan and Land
Use Pattern Allocation Guide maps.
Lands identified in the Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii
ALISH) classification system as "Prime" or"Unique".
Lands rated "B" by the Land Study Bureau's "Detailed Land Classification —
Island of Hawaii" (November, 1965).
The "coffee belt", according to input from area farmers.
State agricultural parks.
While it appears that the IAL identification within the Hamakua CDP is intended to be
separate from State IAL law(Sections 205-41 to 205-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes
HRS)), this distinction is not clearly explained. We recommend the Hamakua CDP
clarify the purpose and intent of its IAL identification. Identification of potential IAL as
defined in State law involves three different processes - voluntary identification under
144 ,Fle;
111161
Mr. Michael Yee
April 21, 2017
Page -2-
Section 205-45, HRS, State public land identification under Section 205-44.5, HRS, and
county identification under Section 205-47, HRS. State public lands, such as State
Agricultural Parks, are not a part of the county identification process under Section 205-
47, HRS. If the Hamakua CDP's Revised Land Use Guide Maps are intended to be
considered draft maps for the County IAL identification process in Section 205-47, HRS,
it should explain how the County's process is consistent with State law.
Land Use Policies on Agricultural Development
The DOA is pleased to find language in the Hamakua CDP that supports preventing the
encroachment of urban sprawl within agricultural lands. The DOA notes the Hamakua
CDP's "Land Use Policy Intent" is to: "designate, protect and maintain important
agricultural lands from urban encroachment"; "ensure that development of important
agricultural land be primarily for agricultural use"; and, to "discourage speculative
residential development on agricultural lands". (Hamakua CDP section 4.3.2, page 56).
Land Use Policies related to agricultural lands include:
Policy 23: 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.
Policy 25: 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 Hamakua CDP objectives and
implement Hamakua CDP policies.
Policy 26: Educate landowners interested in subdividing agricultural lands on the
option to subdivide as a farm subdivision pursuant to Hawaii County Code
section 23-112.
The DOA looks to county CDPs for providing the county's policies and recommendation
for future preferred land use restriction and guidance in reviewing various land use
issues, including subdivision applications, petitions to designate land as IAL, and
special use permits. We recommend that consideration be given to including language
within the land use policies on Agricultural Lands & Open Space that discourages the
subdivision and subsequent development of"fake farms" or"gentlemen's estates" within
the Hamakua CDP's identified IAL. This inclusion would help align the policies on
Agricultural Lands & Open Space more closely with its intent to "protect and maintain
important agricultural lands from urban encroachment" and to "discourage speculative
residential development on agricultural lands".
Mr. Michael Yee
April 21, 2017
Page -3-
Should you have any questions, please contact Earl Yamamoto at 973-9466, or by e-
mail at earl.j.yamamoto@hawaii.gov.
erely,
c• . Enright, airperson
Board of Agriculture