HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-26 PL-REZ-2025-000083 Testimony from Christy SchuerchFrom:Christy Schuerch
To:WPCtestimony
Subject:Testimony re: William Morris PL-REZ-2025-000083 application.
Date:Tuesday, August 26, 2025 5:29:25 PM
Aloha Windward Planning Commision members,The 3 acre lot owned by William Morris is located above the post office on Old Volcano
Highway in an area that is currently residentially zoned (RS-20). He is requesting that the lotbe subdivided into 4 lots, and furthermore that one of the lots be rezoned for commercial use
(CV-20).
The location of this lot is outside of the intended commercial zone as designated in the PunaCommunity Development Plan (PCDP) and the Volcano Community Plan (VCDP)2015,
which envisions more infill commercial development between Wright road and the post office.The VCDP does not envision commercial development in this area. If this rezone to CV-20 is
allowed to go forward, that will set a precedent for the neighboring lot owners to apply forCommercial rezoning. This type of development would bring pin-to-pin clearing of the native
ohi'a forest and large areas of paving for parking lots on the Old Volcano Highway frontage.This is the type of urban sprawl that no one (including our many visitors) wants to see
encouraged in our village.
We do want to encourage commercial development in the appropriate areas of the Volcanovillage. According to a local realtor, there is already quite a bit of unused commercial real
estate lying fallow in Volcano (next to True Value Hardware). In addition, there is a currentlot for sale (next to the Eagle Cafe) in the already approved commercial zone that could
potentially be swapped for this location.
The Hawaii County General Plan 2045, designates the area on Old Volcano Highway abovethe post office as "Low Density Urban", the primary use of which is "Residential, with
ancillary community and convenience-type commercial uses". At the post office and below isdesignated "Moderate Density Urban" with "Village and Neighborhood Commercial and
single family and multiple family residences" allowed.
We respectfully request that the Planning Commision deny the request by William Morris PL-REZ-2025-000083 application for the rezoning of this lot for all the above reasons.
Sincerely,
Christy Schuerch, Volcano resident and member of Forest Overlay Committee, VCA