HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0019.057 2002-2004 From: Suzan Starr <dreamsop@bigisland.com>
Date: Wed Jan 22, 2003 11:05:32 PM US/Pacific
To: ed.case@mail.house.gov
Cc: dreamsop@bigisland.com, jillian@lava.net R[{~NFD
Subject: Proposed Lumber Yard Warehouse Volcano Village -Urgent) itme..._._..._~...... _.By..__.._.._.____5"'
Aloha Congressman Case: ~O1"~' ~°""`u
My name is Suzan Starr. Peggy, your secretary at your office in Honolulu informed you of my wish to
speak with you at the Japanese Community Association's Installation Dinner on Sunday, January 19,
2003 in Hilo.
I was at the dinner, however, the opportunity to speak with you did not avail itself to me.
The issue which I was wanting to discuss with you is the proposed Lumber Yard Warehouse
Development, that, Maurice Thomas, Franchise Owner of True Value Hardware in Volcano Village,
wants to build on the property which adjoins his front acreage on Oki Volcano Highway, in the heart of
Volcano Village.
Currently this proposed acreage is zoned RS-20. The re-zoning request is for Commercial Village.
According to testimony at the last two County Council meetings held for this application, an attorney and
a resident of Volcano Village testified that under the current zoning law of Commercial Village, Lumber
Warehouses and Warehousing is not allowed.
At the first County Council meeting, six County Council Members voted and the vote was split 3 to 3 with
a resulting negative recommendation.
At the second County Council meeting, with full Council present, the vote was 5 in favor, 4 opposed. The
four County Council members opposing were: Tyler, Chung, Jacobsen, and Holsuch. Bob Jacobsen is
the representative for Volcano Village. In favor were Arakaki, Todd,
Safarick, and two other gentlemen, whom at this time of the evening, I can not recall their names.
Where the issue stands, is on Thursday, January 23, 2003 at 9:00 AM the bill goes before the Council for
the final vote. If it passes, we plan to appeal. Also, Mayor Harry Kim has the right to veto it as well as we
have the right to take the issue to court on the basis of an illegal application according to the zoning laws
under Commercial Village.
We have hired an attorney to give testimony tomorrow morning. He agrees, according to the zoning law
on Commercial Village, that the application is also illegal.
Councilman Tyler, also brought up this point to the County Council at the first meeting.
I think the political difficulty with this issue as to why this was not stopped at the Planning Commission
level is two fold:
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1) The former County Planning Director of Hawaii County, Mr. Fukiyaki is representing the applicant,
Maurice Thomas.
2) I belive the present County Planning Director of Hawaii County, Chris Yuen made a mistake and does
not want to admit it.
Also, a key point in testimony, during the first County Council meeting, which was held on December 17,
2002, was when Councilman Tyler addressed Mr. Fukiyaki, Mr. Thomas's representative, and asked him
"Does the zoning law under Commercial Zoning allow for a Lumber Yard Warehouse or any type of
Warehousing?" Mr. Todd asked Mr. Fukiyaki to answer this question as a former County Planning
Director (which I think is a conflict of interest as Mr. Fukiyaki was representing Mr. Thomas).
Mr. Fukiyaki answered, "You have to look at the General Plan" (essentially side stepping the question).
I am asking you at this time to contact Mayor Harry Kim and ask him to veto this bill.
I look forward to your immediate reply.
Thank you for protecting the Heritage of Volcano Village. It is definitely a jewel to protect.
Mahalo and Aloha,
Suzan Starr
P.O. Box 301
Volcano, Hawaii 96720
Gallery: 808-935-5670
Home: 808-967-7186
Cell: 808-895-5138
P.S. I met you at the Hilo Bay Rotary Club when you gave a speech on your Congressional duties in
December 2002. I am the Club Secretary.