HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0019.014 2002-2004 Maurice Thomas' Request for Rezoning
I am Leslie Lauro and I am speaking in support of the rezoning
request, Bill 4.
• Maurice Thomas was bom and raised in Volcano. He has spent
nearly all his life there. He is sensitive to the balance of the past and
future and thoughtful change.
• He was granted approval for all previous zoning changes for his True
Value hardware business. Also, he was granted approval from the
Planning Department and the recommendation of the Planning
Commission to bring this request to the Council's Planning
Committee. He plans to provide lumber and rental equipment at the ac~t,"~c~
request of his customers and community. He has continually . ~m°.___.......
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expanded his inventory in this way. He wishes to add space for e°~°--.._!jtij_,;,..__.____.__~_
storage, NOT A LUMBERYARD OR A MILL-HE WILL NOT BE c°°"ry c°'~"~'~
PRODUCING LUMBER. We, as consumers, are here to support the
careful change Maurice Thomas is requesting and you have the
authority to grant it. Maurice is responding to his customers. We are
not part of any polarized groups. We frequently visited the National
Park and the Volcano area, seeking beauty and sereniry for 12 years
prior to carefully selecting a Volcano home where we lived for 18
yeazs.
• Whenever we need a piece of lumber from Hilo that is too long to
cazry with our car, we call our nephew who lives in Kona and has a
truck to help us. However, he can only come on weekends.
Everything halts till then. I understand a person from the opposition
said HPM didn't charge them for the delivery of materials to build
therr home. I seriously doubt that happened. Anything I want from
Hilo delivered has a minimum charge of forty dollars and they will
deliver only when the truck is fWl and heading toward our area. I
know Maurice enough that if and when he has your approval, he will
deliver to us since its close by and at his convenience the very same
day.
• In regard to the beauty and serenity of the pristine forest environment
surrounding Maurice's hardware store, the storage of lumber is not
likely to cause birds or people any new stress. About three weeks ago
I found it more disruptive to my sense of peace as I walked my dog in
back of the store to hear loud New Age and classic Bob Dylan music
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Ref. Date003
from the adjacent Wellness Center. I don't think the Apspane care for
their type of loud music. They can't whistle to that rhythm.
• It is painfiilly ironic to Maurice and his wife that those in opposition
to his expansion still shop at his business via individual pwchases or
standing accounts. It seems only fair to ask would the process be this
difficult for others to expand their business; add another structure or
cottage; or increase their workspace. Would the'whole community
have to be involved? Would others be womed if it were financially
wise to expand?
• Do trot expect the community to ho'oponpono this matter. If it were a
community issue of, say, the location of a public park, it would be a
reasonable request to refer the matter back to the community.
However, it is not appropriate or fair to an individual expanding his
business ventwe to ask or expect community involvement.
• You are now expected to decide on this individual rezoning request.
You have the opportunity to allow the reasonable expansion of an
existing business which already is located in the commercial section
of Volcano and has been deemed appropriate by the Planning
Department and the Planning Commission. Although the Plazuung
Committee brought the bill to the entire Council with a negative vote,
you now have the opportunity to reconsider the request and be
consistent with the other policy-making bodies. While some have
asked for change to the Building Code and General Plan, you are
NOT now being asked to do that. You are to consider this specific
request. It is to yow advantage that you are legally allowed to take
each case individually and weight the merits and appropriateness of
the request. You control whether a precedent is set or where new
establishments ere located by way of yow legal reasonableness and
responsibility as a Council.
• Do not be misled by the number of those in opposition to Mauriee's
request. While they may have the time or made the time to be here,
many in support of Maurice expanding his existing services could not
be here but they have signed a petition to support the request. Many
supporters aze not a "silent majority," but a working, busy majority.
They can't afford to stop working to be here. They are the many
handymen doing projects at this moment. lfiey aze the owners and
staff of the many Bed and Breakfasts who have active store accounts
and are constantly making repairs and improvements to their
businesses. They are the staff of the National Park and the
Observatory using purchase orders to get materials and supplies to
cis ~~cili~ics. fih~y ~c h®~~owrgc~s ~o~a the y
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o~cst clc is d~c bid ~zct~ of Volcatao.