HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-02 PL-REZ-2025-000083 Opposition Testimony from Kathleen & Peter Golden From: Kathleen Golden
To: W PCtesti mono
Subject: September 2,2025/TESTIMONY/In OPPOSITION to rezoning request by WILLIAM C. MORRIS/PL-REZ-2025-
000083 for Windward Planning Commission meeting scheduled for September 4,2025.
Date: Tuesday,September 2,2025 9:15:51 AM
To the Windward Planning Commission:
Re: Opposition to Rezoning Request to CV-20
(Commercial, Village—20,000 sq. ft. minimum lot
size)
PL-REZ-2025-000083
Applicant: William Cox Morris
TMK: (3) 1-9-005:006 (portion)
I am writing on behalf of my husband, Peter Golden, and myself, Katheen Golden,
as residents for 34 years in the community of Volcano, HI. We participated in the
PCDP process in its initial community planning phase, and care about our
community's on-going development. Please consider this testimony, as we discuss
this application with others in our Volcano community. Please also give attention to
the reference made to the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP),the Volcano
Community Development Plan (VCDP 2015) and the Hawai'i County General Plan 2045.
We respectfully oppose the request to rezone the subject lot on Old Volcano
Highway to CV-20.
Allowing this rezone could likely set a concerning precedent for neighboring lot
owners to pursue commercial rezoning. Such development could 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 could
permanently alter the character and ecological integrity of the area. Please consider
this effect on our community development and our values for protecting and
sustaining the natural environment in our community plan.
We do support commercial development in Volcano- however, in the appropriate,
designated areas. According to a local realtor, there is already a significant amount
of unused "zoned" 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 Eagles 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. Thank you for noting this distinction.
In light of these plans and the availability of suitable alternatives, we and others in
our community, respectfully request that the Planning Commission deny this
rezoning request.
Thank you forconsidering oursubmitted testimony and your service on
the Windward Planning Commission,
Our aloha,
Kathleen & Peter Golden
PO Box 647
Volcano Hawaii 96785
Kathleen Golden