PD Background Report (PL-SPP-2023-000040)

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B VMCProp.AmendSPP538.cm.6.27.23 COUNTY OF HAWAI`I PLANNING DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND REPORT WDC PROPERTIES,LLC AMEND CONDITION NO. 4 OF SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 538 (PL-SPP-2023-000040) WDC PROPERTIES, LLC has submitted a request for a 10-year time extension to Condition No. 4 (life of the permit) of Special Permit No. 538 to extend the life of the permit to June 30, 2035. Special Permit No. 538 was most recently amended in 2015 to allow the continued use of a heliport and related facilities on a 9.8-acre portion of a larger 13.007-acre property until June 30, 2025. The subject property is located at 68-690 Waikoloa Road on the southeast corner of its intersection with Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway, Por. Waikoloa, South Kohala, Hawaii, TMK: (3) 6-8-001:043 (por.) APPLICANT'S REQUEST 1. Request: The applicant is requesting an amendment to Condition No. 4 of Special Permit No. 538, which limits the life of the permit until June 30, 2025. The request is to extend the life of the permit for a period of 10 years until June 30, 2035. Condition No. 4 currently states: "This permit shall be effective until June 30, 2025." The applicant WDC Properties, LLC is the fee owner of the subject property and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is the licensee. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters wishes to make a major investment in the business by constructing a new hangar consisting of approximately 3,500 square feet within the existing Special Permit area. The hangar, which will be less than 25 feet tall, will be located in a natural lava alcove situated approximately 10 feet below the road line of sight. The alcove will provide a natural shelter for the hangar and that together with the existing lava landscape should help minimize its visibility from both Waikoloa Road and Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway. 2. Purpose of the Request: The requested time extension is not for the lack of performance but an extension of the permit life. The applicant intends to maintain the operation of an existing heliport and its related facilities. The current permit limits heliport operations at the property to a maximum of 40 landings per day during daylight hours, excluding emergency landings for emergency helicopter support. The granting of a time extension -1-