2012-54 Volcano Long Range Plan Report 8Nov12

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Communication No. 2012 -54 DRAFT /Dtaylor: 08 Nov 2012 Summary for Volcano Long Range Plan The Volcano Long Range Plan (VLRP) is a plan for action. It is the vision expressed by dozens of residents, made in hundreds of hours of small and large group meetings during the preparation of the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) during the early 1990s. whereas the PCDP expresses in a conceptual context the vision for longterm development of the Puna District, along with its several communities, the VLRP applies to the Volcano community. It delineates goals, objectives, and actions that are intended to move the community forward in LAND AND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, GROWTH MANAGEMENT, AND TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT. This draft VLRP derives substantially from previous plans, notably the VISION 20/20 Plan, and the Immediate predecessor, the Volcano Plan, neither of which was approved by the Planning Department or the County Council. This VLRP will ultimately be submitted for approval as County Ordinance by County Council, during the coming year. It is aligned with the PCDP, which is in effect under County Ordinance. The VLRP was previously an accurate reflection of the community vision for the long term. Now it is essential that we re- capture community consensus and incorporate any new ideas and developments and that these are written into the final draft. Two important proposals are emphasized in this draft VLRP: • Steal Design District designation for the commercial and historic center of the village • Special District Overly designation for the entire community as a Transition Zone component of the International Biosphere Reserve status enjoyed by the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Other activities addressed in the draft VLRP include: • Environmental quality and natural resources conservation • Historic preservation and education • Land use • Agriculture and economic development • Commercial growth • Medical and social services • Recreation, public health, safety, and sanitation Public transportation, roadway management, pedestrian and cycle travel Proposed action projects: • Protect the native forest, cultural and historic features and sites from inappropriate development • Ensure that tourism is compatible with historic and natural resources conservation • Establish a Special Design District Review committee • Expand the area zone for commercial development