HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0526.033 2010-2012 06 September, 2010
To: Hawaii County Council
From Daniel Taylor, resident of Volcano
Subject: opposition to Bill 168 . ►
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Bill 168 represents an egregious mistake in regional planning. The main flaw in this''Till
is that it violates any reasonable protocol in planning by enabling an auto repair shop to
set up alongside a highway corridor. Access to the proposed repair shop would add to
existing congestion along this stretch of Highway 11, and increases the probability for
traffic and pedestrian accidents.
Moreover, Bill 168 ignores the mandate contained in the Puna Community Development
Plan, Ch 4.3 and 4.4, which intends to guide County planners toward a safer and more
scenic roadway network. Besides adding to congestion and hazard along the highway,
the auto shop would cause significant adverse impact on the neighbor properties, many
of which have historic and scenic value.
Although it is true that the State government has jurisdiction over the Highway 11
corridor, County government has jurisdiction over land use zoning. County government
is responsible, therefore, to ensure proper development alongside the State highway
corridor, and with the advent of the PCDP County is obliged to respect the opinions and
desires of communities who will be affected. The opposition to this Bill, and the conflict
among neighbors the re-zone application has generated, suggests there are serious
problems with it, as follows:
The re-zone application has not been properly vetted by the Mountain View
Community. The decision by County Planning Dept to approve the permit was made
essentially by the planning bureau and the applicant. This arrangement diminishes the
value of the Puna Community Development Plan, with its broad base of support
throughout the communities of Puna and particularly the opportunity the PCDP provides
for the Mountain View community to develop its unique long range community plan.
Significant representatives of community organizations oppose Bill 168. Council
members are advised that all three members of the PCDP Action Committee who live in
Puna mauka (Ms Pinto, Mr Commendador, Mr Taylor) oppose the re-zone permit, and
have formally testified before Council. In addition, Council members Smart and Ford,
who serve in adjoining districts, are particularly familiar with the situation. It is
regrettable that Council members who favor Bill 168 do not live in or near Mountain
View, and therefore do not perceive the problems the re-zone will cause.
The re-zone represents an outdated and inappropriate example of"spot zoning."
Such careless land use planning has created unsightly and inefficient commercial strips
along many of Hawaii's roadways. One need look no further than the segment of
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Highway 11 between Mountain View and Kea'au, in order to see a tawdry, unorganized
mix of commercial, residential, and agricultural development, in mostly small parcels.
Similar strips have emerged along other roadways, notably Ocean View in Ka'u,
Captain Cook in South Kona, Orchidland in Puna, etc. Clearly one sees the result of a
failure to apply sensible regional planning to the highway corridor. Enabling the re-zone
proposal for the auto repair shop at the mauka end of Mountain View would be just
another increment of the careless and antiquated system of permitting that has been so
detrimental to Hawaii's landscape.
A better alternative for the permittee needs to be found. Commercial services in
Mountain View Village are insufficient, and an auto repair service would be a welcome
addition if it were located in a properly designated Commercial Zoned area. However,
the re-zone applicant has indicated some of his business will consist of out-sourced
vehicles from the National Park, (letters attached) and this needs to be clarified in order
to build the mutual trust that will enable his business to gain respect and to thrive. We
must remember that the applicant for the re-zoned property is a member of our
community, as are those who oppose it. He deserves to be better informed about his
options. He needs to be relieved of the tension his application has produced, and he
needs to be opened to a productive business model that will enable his repair shop to
develop and grow, along with the community he is part of.
4:4` z
To: Fleet Management
From: Fire Management
Date:October 21,2011
Re: Fleet Mechanic
Fire equipment at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park must constantly be a state of
readiness. Equipment is limited and any"down-time"during periods of high fire danger
can be a risk to park resources. Currently GSA certified mechanics and dealerships are
all located in the Hilo area.
Any opportunity to locate a certified vendor closer to the park would benefit our ability to
provide fire protection.
Thank you,
Joe Molhoek
Fire Management Officer
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
808-985-6042
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To:Fleet Management J 1 r fC�,, l
From: Road&Trail Division Y
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Date: Nov 2,2011
The Road and Trail division at times have a heavy work load for our maintenance
Shop.We have on many occasion,had to out source work to shops outside of the
Park.The location of the vendor would be a plus to us in our operation.
Thank You,
Rodney McCollam
Road and Trail Supervisor
Hawaii Volcanos National Park
808-985-6058
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