2014-81 Testimony 12-9-14 PCDP AC Meeting

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December 7, 2014 Communication No. 2014 -81 To: Mr. Duane Kanuha, Planning Director Ms. Patti Pinto, Chair, and all Members of the PCDP Action Committee From: Patrick Conant Subject: Testimony Supporting Agenda Item 7 (Chap. 10 Grading & Grubbing Ord.) at the December 9, 2014 PCDP- AC Meeting Thank you for this opportunity to express my views at this meeting. As a Volcano Village resident of upper Puna, I strongly support the intent of the letter submitted to you by Malama O Puna regarding increasing and broadening the penalties for grading and grubbing without a County permit. The Executive Summary of the VLRP refers to two planning challenges, one of which is: "managing growth while protecting the native forest and wildlife maintaining native forest and bird habitat in the face of inevitable build out, insensitive forest clearing..... and further subdivision of lots." Also. within the Introduction section of the VLRP is this: "Designation of a Special Overlay District for the entire Volcano Area would encourage property owners, residents, visitors and developers to live harmoniously under the largely intact native forest canopy ". If we do not amend Chapter 10 as proposed by Malama O Puna, and I would add, make it more comprehensive, the VLRP will be unable to meet one of its primary goals, i.e. protecting the intact native forest canopy that (along with only Kaloko Mauka) is unique among year - round residential areas in the entire State. Consequently, the VLRP Subcommittee is in fact planning to address this issue as it pertains to the Special Overlay District, so you may assume we will be making recommendations in the near future for further amendments to Chapter 10. Our madate to make such recommendations is clearly stated in Part 2 of Managing Growth/ Section B: Natural Resources /Natural Beauty/ Environmental Quality - Actions -5b page 28 of the VLRP: "Amend the grading and grubbing ordinance to reduce forest clearing (as adopted in the PCDP 5.1.2)." Please note that there are also recommendations in PCDP 5.1.2 (and VLRP Subcomm. may propose others) that are not discussed in your agenda item 7 today, that the VLRP Subcommittee will likely suggest adoption of in future submissions to the PCDP Action Committee.