PD Recommendation Report (PL-SPP-2022-000025)

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ASIAA-PL-SPP-2022-000025.12.1.2022 COUNTY OF HAWAI`I PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION ACADEMIA SINICA INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS SPECIAL PERMIT APPLICATION (PL-SPP-2022-000025) Upon review of the request against the guidelines for granting a Special Permit, the Deputy Planning Director recommends that the request for a Special Permit for the temporary operation of an array of 10 satellite dishes and a 50-foot x 50-foot dipole antenna array and related improvements to conduct research on Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) on an approximately 2.0-acre portion of a larger 10.7-acre property be approved by the Planning Commission. Since this recommendation is made without the benefit of public testimony, the Deputy Planning Director reserves the right to modify and/or alter this recommendation based upon additional information presented at the public hearing. This approval recommendation is based on the following findings: The applicant is seeking a Special Permit to allow the following uses on a 2.0- acre portion, 295 feet in width by 295 feet in length, of a larger 10.7-acre property within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The proposed use will be temporary, with an unspecified lease term that includes the option to renew the lease: • 10 temporary commercial TV satellite dishes (20 feet in diameter)with reception capacity of 400-800 Mega Hertz (MHz), fixed in a stationary position facing northeast, with 7 to 8-foot-tall support poles. • A 50-foot x 50-foot dipole antenna array, with stationary dipole antennas. • A gravel driveway approximately 1,400 feet in length and 10 feet in width, with an unobstructed clear width of 20 feet for Fire Department access. • One catchment tank of at least 4,000 gallons capacity for fire suppression. • One port-a-potty. • Two shipping containers each at 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet-6 inches tall. -1-