HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-30.1 AC-Kenoi VLRP funding 13May14 Communication No. 2014-30.1
May 13, 2014
To: Mayor William Kenoi
Aloha, Mayor Kenoi:
The Volcano Long Range Planning Subcommittee of the Puna Community Development Plan
Action Committee,in conjunction with The Volcano Community Association VCA are
seeking ffind ng in the ^m^ Arequesting allotment of the $100,000 included in the FY 2013-14
CIP budget in order to hire a planning consultant for ouf dfaftthe preparation of our Volcano
village center plan suitable for adoption by ordinance. To that end we request that you consider
identifying other CIP allotments for projects that may not be ready for implementation and/or
general funds that could be re-directed to fund the Volcano village center plan. At the very least
we hope you will include our project in your next bond authorization request.,
where we eannot advanee it ftirthef without help from a pfefessional plannef. The next stage
would be Fef f6final feview by Planning Depaftinent, then eventually t
Over the past two years the VCA has engaged in a process of updating and revising the 2007
Volcano 20-20 Plan that has resulted in a community vision, goals, objectives and actions that
enjoy broad support within the Volcano community. However, we now require professional
guidance in translating the work of the community volunteers engaged in this planning effort
ffort
over the past 29 years into a working plan with guidelines and standards as may be appropriate to
define how growth and development in the Volcano planning area shall occur. We afe
infofniedunderstand that Planning Department staffing is currently insufficient to assume the
task of preparing our plan in-house. However, with extensive community assistance we believe
that frenrthe Planning Department are not available to assist us been„^° of wofk4e^a ^ nstf rots
The-refewe seek the eensulting 3efvi°° of a pfefessional nar-.would be able to manage the
project with a planning consultant onboard.
We hope you will be able to alleeate ffinds froin pfojeets elsewhefe in County that inight be
,,hale but not yet alleeatea
and seine offieials in the Planning Depaftinent have Fead it infefinally and eelmnented. All the
work on the dfaft plan has been done by eemmunity volunteefs, none of whein has
eemmunity planning.
We believe that,eview of the-our current draft plan twill provide exceptional guidance for a
professional planner wouldto ensure all elements are in ali ng ment :* with County and State
laws, regulations and plans, and that it is properly linked with the PCDP., and its stewardship h.,
the PCDP Aetion Committee, within whieh we now have a subeeinraittee wefk4ng towafd this
We r°°a *o''° sufe we''a-have eeffeetly :a°„*J °aRealistic funding sources and
strategies need to be identified for implementation and im lein I - °as that afe fefeffed to
in of our action proposals, that the maps are displayed professionally, and that it is presented in a
professional and coherent manner.
We don't know of another community in Puna, or elsewhere in Hawaii County, where a draft
totally grass-roots community plan has advance so far. We believe it is a good plan, and might
serve as a model for other village plans. We have e r°ffi"y adhered to the style and f nna* of the
PCAR—. We believe we have properly expressed the transition from concept to implementation.
We have identified and prioritized the actions we believe are necessary to guide growth in our
community for the next 20 or 30 years.
We desire to work collaboratively with County to ensure the sustainable and planned growth of
the Volcano community. We thank you in advance for helping us to secure the funding necessary
for us to complete the planning process that began in Volcano nearly 230 years ago.
Sincerely,
Volcano Long Range Planning Subcommittee of the Puna Community Development Plan Action
Committee