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

Home

RWDCProp.AmendSPP53 8.cm.6.27.23 COUNTY OF HAWAI`I PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION WDC PROPERTIES, LLC AMEND CONDITION NO. 4 OF SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 538 (PL-SPP-2023-000040) Upon careful review of the request against the guidelines under Rule 6 of the Planning Commission Rules of Practice and Procedures for granting an amendment to Special Permits, the Planning Director recommends the amendment request be approved by the Planning Commission. Since this recommendation is made without the benefit of public testimony, the Director reserves the right to modify and/or alter this position. The approval recommendation is based on the following findings: 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. 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 or emergency helicopter support. The granting of a time extension will help amortize the cost of the proposed 3,500-square feet hangar improvement. The hangar will enable more efficient repair and maintenance of the helicopters. Currently, repair and maintenance -I-