2014-56.1 AC comments SPP 14-000168

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Communication No. 2014-56.1 Re: Special Permit(SPP 14-000168) This Special Use Permit request has been reviewed by members of the Mountain View Village Center Planning Group and the Action Committee of the Puna Community Development Plan. We are very supportive of the endeavor to offer dental services to the residents of Upper Puna. There are concerns about some aspects of the proposed development: 1. Scenic corridor. The Volcano Highway is predominantly a forested corridor. There are a few houses,but very few commercial uses;we note that the proposed site is approximately '/4 mile from Hirano Store. Both the residents of Upper Puna and the thousands of tourists who drive this corridor want to see the forested environment preserved. It is a Hawaiian treasure and we are its stewards. 2. Village Center Plans. The Puna Community Development Plan recommends that commercial developments be located within the Village and Regional Town Center planning areas. We are hesitant to approve any commercial development on Volcano Highway in this corridor. Taking the above concerns into mind,we recognize that the proposed business will be in an existing building and that all efforts will be made to maintain its historical character. Further,the proposed business is located near to an existing commercial use(Hirano Store). We ask that the following be required in the Special Use permit: 1. Signage. We request that all signage be on the building itself and that there be no signs on the highway. Signs should be consistent with the historical character of the building. 2. Parking. We would like to see the parking lot be located behind the building so that an expanse of parking lot and cars is not visible to passing motorists. 3. Landscaping. We request that there is no further clearing of trees on the front part of the property and that trees and other appropriate landscaping be planted to help preserve the "forest corridor"look. Thank you for your consideration. Patti Pinto