HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-28 PL-REZ-2025-000083 Opposition Testimony from Judith Weitz Dacayanan, Melissa
From: Judith Weitz <judithsweitz@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday,August 28, 2025 2:15 PM
To: WPCtestimony
Subject: Opposition to Rezoning Request to CV-20 (Commercial,Village—20,000 sq. ft.
PL-REZ-2025-000083
Applicant: William Cox Morris
TMK: (3) 1-9-005:006 (portion)
Dear Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission,
I am writing to respectfully oppose the request to rezone the subject lot on Old Volcano Highway to CV-
20.
Allowing this rezone would set a concerning precedent for neighboring lot owners to pursue commercial
rezoning. Such development would likely result in pin-to-pin clearing of the native 'ohi'a forest along
this corridor, and extensive paving for parking lots fronting the Old Volcano Highway. This type of
land use change would permanently alter the character and ecological integrity of the area.
We do encourage commercial development in Volcano—but in the appropriate, designated areas.
According to a local realtor, there is already a significant amount of unused commercial real estate
sitting vacant in Volcano, such as the space next to True Value Hardware. In addition, there is a lot
currently for sale next to the Eagle Cafe within the already approved commercial zone. That property
could potentially be swapped or developed, avoiding the need to rezone outside of the planned
commercial core.
Importantly, the location of this lot is outside of the intended commercial zone as designated in both the
Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) and the Volcano Community Development Plan (VCDP
2015). The Hawai'i County General Plan 2045 further reinforces this distinction: the area along Old
Volcano Highway above the post office is designated as "Low Density Urban," where the primary use
is residential with only ancillary community and convenience-type commercial uses allowed. By
contrast, the area at the post office and below is designated "Moderate Density Urban," where village
and neighborhood commercial uses are intended to be located.
In light of these plans and the availability of suitable alternatives, I respectfully request that the Planning
Commission deny this rezoning request.
Thank you for considering this testimony.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Weitz
Resident of Volcano, HI 96785
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