2014-71 VLRP SC xmtl ltr AC-PD - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication No. 2014-71 Greetings Director Kanuha, Development in Volcano has been proceeding at a rapid pace in recent years with increasing signs of more projects likely to seek approval in the near future. This condition, combined with the rapidly increasing demand for local access to goods and services,have created the necessity for us to expedite the planning process that began in Volcano nearly 30 years ago and evolved into the Volcano Long Range Plan(VLRP). The 2014 Volcano Long Range Plan(VLRP)is an action plan tiered to the Puna Community Development Plan(PCDP). It is the fruit of a grass-roots effort of Volcano community planning began in 1985, intensified in the 1990s, and revived again after County approval of the PCDP in 2008. Over the past two years the Volcano Community Association has engaged in a rigorous 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 and align well with the goals and objectives of the PCDP- so much so that a subcommittee was formed within the PCDP Action Committee-the Volcano Long Range Plan Subcommittee-to steward the forward momentum of the process into inception and implementation of the much needed plan. The VLRP identifies and prioritizes the actions we believe are necessary to guide growth in the Volcano community for the next 20 or 30 years. Without the VLRP in place,new development will proceed without the guidelines crucial to maintaining the character and sense of place of Volcano. The VLRP is unique from its conception as a totally grass-roots community plan, and given the more recent trend of government's transition to bottom up-driven community development,we hope that it serves as a model for other village plans. We believe the plan properly expresses the transition from concept to implementation of smart growth and identifies and prioritizes the actions necessary to guide growth in our community for the next 20 or 30 years. It is prudent that we now secure the professional guidance necessary to translate the past 29 years' work of community volunteers into a working plan with clearly defined guidelines and standards of how growth and development in the Volcano planning area shall occur. As such we believe it is best to get input from you first on how to move forward with efforts to preserve Volcano with lands that are appropriately designated and categorized. We believe that our current draft plan will provide exceptional guidance for a professional planner to ensure all elements are in alignment with County and State laws,regulations and plans, and that it is properly linked with the PCDP. With extensive community assistance we believe that the Planning Department would be able to manage the project with a planning consultant onboard. Working collaboratively with the County will ensure the sustainable and planned growth of the Volcano community. Mahalo for your consideration and all the valuable work you do. .