12-09-2020, 10:02 PM
That's just a symptom. Address the real problem described in the transcript: there is no affordable land for a small local business. If Pahoa Feed found some land up the road from their old location, Planning would simply use a different set of reasons to deny the permit application. Does this serve the public interest? Probably not, but it's clearly what the public wants, or people would demand a different outcome.
Consider Hilo Coffee Mill and the SUP that was granted for a "meeting house" next door. Both are "driveways on the highway" connected by private road, applications approved by Planning. I'm sure someone can explain how the circumstances are completely different, making these businesses OK.
I think Puna Feed should have forced County to define "agricultural" in court.
Consider Hilo Coffee Mill and the SUP that was granted for a "meeting house" next door. Both are "driveways on the highway" connected by private road, applications approved by Planning. I'm sure someone can explain how the circumstances are completely different, making these businesses OK.
I think Puna Feed should have forced County to define "agricultural" in court.