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standard for rezoning which, again, is in the public interest and for the general welfare. Speculation <br />and making more money is not in the general welfare. In addition, the omission of any plans at this <br />stage does not allow for public comment on eventual changes to the existing use which they could do <br />under the new rezoning. Thus, if the Venti’s application is approved at this stage and in the future the <br />Venti’s or THE new owner could change the existing use or the existing structures. Their plans would <br />go to the Planning Department on those changes but the community, the general community that would <br />be affected by those changes, would not be able to comment on things such as traffic uses, parking, <br />water, sufficiency of water pipes, things like that, that would affect the general welfare and public <br />interest of the community. <br /> <br />Speculation and increase in the value is not in the general welfare of public interest. The Commission <br />should deny this request for this reason. If you do not deny it, the Commission would create a <br />dangerous precedence for development without community input or approval. That would not create a <br />stable and happy community. Therefore, once again, we respectfully request that the Commission <br />deny this application. Thank you. <br /> <br />KERN: Thank you. Are there any questions for the testifier? Seeing none, Tiffany Edwards Hunt. <br /> <br />T. HUNT: Aloha. <br /> <br />KERN: Name and area you represent, then you may begin. <br /> <br />T. HUNT: My name is Tiffany Edwards Hunt. My husband and I live at 16-1021 Waiokele Road in <br />Kurtistown, Hawaii. We regularly do business in Pahoa at 15-2883 Pahoa Village Road. I’m actually <br />testifying as the president of Pahoa Mainstreet Association. I apologize that we did not submit written <br />testimony for this application. What happened is Mainstreet Pahoa Association submitted a letter on <br />th <br />May 5 for another rezoning that has since been delayed. It’s from the same planning consultant and <br />mirrors this Venti application. But inadvertently the letter was not put into this packet. And I will read <br />from this letter and then make some comments. Also, and I apologize that Jeff Hunt’s Surf Boards did <br />not submit written testimony. We’ve been travelling and this kind of like came up really fast. So <br />needless to say -. <br /> <br />This is from Mainstreet Pahoa Association: <br /> <br />“Aloha, Mainstreet Pahoa Association was founded in 1992 to establish and maintain Pahoa Village as <br />the social, cultural and commercial center of lower Puna. Our primary goals are to enhance the <br />economic vitality and quality of life of our community. <br /> <br />“It has recently come to our attention that two properties in down town Pahoa, 15-2881 & 15-2885 <br />Pahoa Village Rd., have recently applied for changes in zoning from residential to commercial status <br />without accompanying a specific plan or intention for doing so. This lack of pertinent information, we <br />believe, lends itself to real estate speculation as well as unforeseen changes to our village charm. We <br />ask that you require a plan for the use of these properties when you review their applications so <br />neighbors and local stake holders can be better informed about such significant changes. <br /> <br />5 <br /> EXHIBIT A <br /> <br /> <br />