HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-47 VLRP Minutes 7-15-14 Communication No. 2014-47
VLRP Planning Team, Meeting Minutes
July 15 2014 6-7:15 PM
Cooper Center Library
Attended: Dan Taylor, Pat Halpern, Pat Conant, Tim Tunison, Sharon Daun, Sherry Vierra
Guest: Terry Daun
Agenda:
Review of minutes of previous meeting (Sherry)
Presentation of final draft VLRP (Chia)
Report from Sharon Daun, AC representative on this subcommittee
Report of the initial subcommittee meeting for a Forest Protection
Overlay District (Tim)
A proposed letter to Planning Director regarding the Thai Fast food
wagon
Discussion of a proposed letter to Planning Director regarding the
Thai food wagon
Item 1 Final draft of the Volcano Long Range Plan
Dan presented the final draft of the VLRP ready for submittal to the County. Dan noted that it
might be one of the first in the State. Three copies are available for our review. (Four total
copies.) There is an electronic copy available. Dan and Vildci Milon will keep copies for
reference. Some concerns were brought up that it may not be as complete as it could be. Dan said
the County to is primarily interested to know the plan's purpose and vision, but not
implementation details, and that we should submit it. We discussed the use of$100,000 available
for VLRP from the County. We will ask the County for some of the $100,000 for a professional
consultant if the County requires it after viewing the VLRP.
Sharon recommended presenting the Plan through the PCDP Action Committee (AC). This
would put the Plan into the proper and formal channel, for routing eventually to the Planning
Department, the Windward Planning Commission, and eventually County Council. The Action
Committee meets every 2nd Tuesday. The next meeting is on August 12, 2014. Sharon is an AC
member. We formally requested Sharon to put it on the agenda for the August 12, 2014 meeting.
Sharon said it would need cover letters: one for Planning Director, and the other to the AC
Chairperson. Electronic copies should be sent to AC members prior to the August 12th meeting.
Sharon noted that a component of the Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan, will be presented to
Council on Friday, July 18, at their regular meeting in Kona, and in Hilo via video conference,
and that it would be instructive for any of us on the VLRP team to observe this process for future
reference.
Item 2 Report from the PCDP Action Committee (Sharon)
AC report from Sharon—minutes to be uploaded to Keiko, the admin clerk for AC, should not
contain personal information. Normally we would submit only copies of agenda and minutes,
with only names of those who attend. This is because the minutes are published on the County
Planning website and read by members of the public. Draft minutes for our meeting in May need
to be corrected to remove such references. June minutes are OK.
Item 3 Report from the Committee of the Proposed Historic District (Pat)
Met July 30, 2014, Vikki, Pat, and Sherry. Maurice's property is both commercial and R-20.
Some of his commercial property (buildings or parking pavement) is on RS-20. The Historic
District Committee feels the historical area should go over to Kilauea St. and down to the end of
the Old Volcano Highway because of the protection it would give to the visible end of the Old
Volcano Highway that is visible from Highway 11. She noted the Thai food truck is requesting a
special use permit to be located on the edge of the Volcano Inn property. There will be a hearing
and letters to neighbors for approval. Pat also reported that the Historic District Committee needs
more time to prepare its report on permitted usage. Dan suggested that discussions about that list
should be done in the context of Design Guidelines, in preparation by Boone Morrison. It is not
the intent of Design Guidelines and review of permitted uses to stifle commercial growth. We
want it to be compatible with the national park and our community. The format and tone of
Design Guidelines for the Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan would be instructive. This is
available on the County website.
Item 4 Advent of the Committee for a Proposed Special Forest Protection Overlay Zone
(Tim)
Met July 8, 2014, Sharon, Diane, Tim, and Dan. The committee would benefit from additional
members, particularly persons who have knowledge of local biology, culture, and history.
During their meeting they discussed steps to get approval for the Special Overlay District
approval. All land owners will be affected and should get involved. An important purpose would
be to recommend what activities should be permitted and how current zoning limits are
compatible with these. The existing model for designated International Biosphere Reserves
would be appropriate to refer to. Such practices as grading and grubbing, outdoor lighting,
landscaping with non-native plants, removal of native plants from property setbacks, etc will be
considered.
Item 5 Discussion of a draft letter critical of the Thai Fast Food Operation
A letter was presented for review that is critical of the operation of a fast food wagon, that parks
along the highway most days, and operates from a parcel of land that is zoned for Agricultural
use. The letter is intended for the Planning Director, and since this committee is formally a
subcommittee of the AC, such letter should be vetted by the AC before it is forwarded.
Considering that this protocol might take more time than is available before a decision will be
made, Sharon recommended to route the letter through the Volcano Community Association in
lieu of the AC. Dan will approach the VCA on this matter.
It is known that the operator, Peter Blake, has applied for a special use permit to enable
continuing his operation.
Note: The next meeting of the Action Committee will be August 12th, 3 PM, at the Kea'au
Community Center. It will be important for community members to attend to show support for
the draft Volcano Long Range Plan. Dan will send out email notification of this.
Next meeting will be August 11, 2014 6:00 pm at the Kilauea Lodge or Vikki's house (to be
determined).
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.
Submitted by Sherry Vierra