HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-77 VLRP - mins 2014Nov 10 Communication 2014-77
Volcano Long Range Planning Committee Minutes 10 November 2014
The meeting at Kilauea Lodge was called to order by Dan Taylor at 7:05 PM.
Attending: Dan Taylor, Pat Conant, Vikki Milon, Tim Tunison, Pat Halpern, Jeffrey
Mermel, Chia Longstreet, Yumi Kawano
Guests: Kalani Tinay
Agenda:
Presentation of draft proposal for Historic District Boundary and permitted uses (Pat
Halpern, Vikki Milon)
1. Initiation of a proposal for an Overlay Zone to reconcile settlement with protection of
the native forest in Volcano (Tim Tunison, Pat Conant)
2. Report on status of draft Long Range Plan under review by County Planning
Department (Dan Taylor)
3. Discussion of an imported structure in the State Historic District
Item 1
Pat Halpern reviewed the boundaries and zoning of the proposed Historic District. A
boundary copy is attached.
Current permitted zoning includes Open, Residential, Village Commercial and
Agriculture. The attached report cites specific uses to be included and those the
committee recommends be excluded.
Discussion:
Justification is needed for any exclusions before submission to the county. Amusement
and sports bar exclusions may not be in the interest of business and tourism. However,
excluded uses can be easily accommodated in the larger Volcano community and
proposed shopping/industrial area proposed in the VLRP.
Design guidelines need to be formalized and how these will apply to new or remodel
construction within the proposed district. A major concern is how residents in the
proposed district will agree to the exclusions. An advantage is that the land within this
district should become more valuable with this designation. It also allays the concern of
undesirable development next to their properties that might negatively impact their
current property value.
Precedents currently exist. Waimea has standards that must be applied. Pahoa has
design guidelines for commercial building and remodel that has been adopted by
County. Pahoa guidelines includes a Citizen committee that reviews permit applications
and makes recommendation to the County Planning Director. County Planning can
override these recommendations. The Pahoa plan is available online.
It is also noted that the Hale Ohia Lane State Historic Residential District consists of two
sections, separated by the Highway #11 bypass, and that some properties along the
street are excluded. The larger proposed historic district includes the Hale Ohia Lane
zone.
Plan: Dan will forward the proposal to Boone to with a view toward consolidating design
guidelines, followed by review from the VLRP Planning Team..
Plan: Dan will report at our next meeting.
Item 2
Tim Tunison reports that a proposed forest canopy Overlay District zone applies to all of
the Volcano community, not just the Historic District. Its main purpose is to protect the
forest canopy. Being a far-reaching proposal that will affect many members of the
community, we anticipate an open and well planned program aimed at educating
people about living in and building in the forest. Such an overlay zone would be the first
one in the County. The State Charter, County General Plan and PCDP all have
provisions for establishing such a zone. It will require an ordinance. The International
Biosphere Reserve model of the United Nations will provide a useful reference..
Possible subjects to enable implementation include:
1. Supporting the PCDP Action Committee in their recommendation for an ordinance
that would strengthen grubbing and grading rules
2. Increasing fines to owners and machine operators to be an incentive against
violating current regulations
3. Possibly prohibit grading and grubbing in set backs of the Volcano Overlay District
4. Limitations or review of cutting native trees and vegetation
5. Tax code changes since current tax breaks only apply to Ag zoning
Discussion:
Pat Conant reviewed the past work done by the Natural Resources Working Group of
the PCDP 2006 which could be used as a guide. He recommends that Kim Dillman be
a contact source. Nancy Crawford, Finance Director County, could also be informative.
Plan: Follow up at next meeting.
Item 3
Dan Taylor said the Long Range Plan is being reviewed by the County Planning
Department. They are pleased by the scope of the document, but see some technical
flaws. As written it would not yet qualify for County Ordinance. Nevertheless, certain
elements of the draft VLRP are providing useful guidance to County planners, for
example an awareness that commercial development fronting on the Highway #11
corridor is not considered desirable. In addition, we see support at County Council for
improvements to the waste management transfer station, which is a high priority item in
the VLRP.
It is likely that we will need the services of a professional planning consultant to finalize
the Volcano Long Range Plan. Money for this is identified in the County budget, but
cannot be appropriated until the draft plan has moved further in the review process.
We are fortunate that Council woman Brenda Ford has long supported the VLRP, and
that council woman-elect, Maile David, is also supportive. .We'll contact other Council
members to inform them and seek their support. Councilman, Greggor Ilagan (Dist #4)
has previously indicated support, for which we are grateful.
Plan: Dan will continue to monitor.
Item 4
The recently imported structure on Haunani Road and Old Volcano Highway is owned
by Mr.and Mrs. Albert. They obtained a relocation permit and have 180 days to secure
required building permits for permanent installation. There are two issues of concern:
1) Will this imported structure have a negative impact on the Hale Ohia Lane State
Residential Historic District designation? 2. Will pests that are well established in
lower Puna, where the structure comes from, be imported to Volcano where these pests
are not established? The pests of concern are little fire ants (LFA), termites and coqui
frogs. Pat Conant has spoken to the Alberts and is working with them to evaluate the
possibility of LFA being brought in with their building. .
Discussion:
Is it appropriate to prohibit importing old building materials into Volcano to avoid the
spread of pests? Specifically in this case, does the relocation permit or just the building
permit have to be evaluated by the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) since it
was placed in an established historic district? The County of Hawaii Cultural Resources
Commission makes recommendations to the SHPD.
There is concern that the VLRP is being tagged as a vigilante committee. However our
main concerns are the integrity of the historic values of the community and the worth of
our long term planning effort.
Plan: This matter will be followed and discussed at the next meeting.
Next Meeting:
January 12, 2015 6:30 PM at Vikki Milon's house, 19-4020 Haunani Road
Meeting Adjourned at 8:45 PM
Submitted by Vikki Milon
Historical District Boundary Subcommittee Draft Proposal
10 November 2014
RATIONALE
The Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) states that "Village and town centers
are expected to include a mix of uses, including small-lot and higher density residential,
retail and office commercial, service-type light industrial, and public and quasi-public
facilities, such as schools, churches and parks." (PCDP Section 5.2.1) It also
establishes specific use and designs criteria by Village/Town Center Type. Volcano
Village meets the criteria of a "Community Village Center" established in areas with
7,000 to 15,000 residents and containing 10 - 30 acres. (PCDP Table 5-1)
The PDCP, MALAMA I KA AINA, Historic, Cultural and Scenic Resources, also
specifies Use and Design Standards. (PCDP Section 5.2.3) The strongest candidate
for Special Design District designation in Puna, is Volcano Village. Presently The
Village "has a small, legally recognized historic district. According to a 1993 inventory
by the Hawaii State Historic Division, Volcano has a high concentration of historic
structures, mostly residential dwellings. Most of these are outside of the (current)
designated historic district. The inventory can serve as a basis for establishing both the
boundaries of the Special Design District and the design parameters for development
within it. A major decision to make, with the involvement of affected property owners
and residents, is the extent to which the demolition, renovation and addition to existing
historic dwellings will be controlled by design standards, and what those standards will
be. In addition design standards for new developments need to be identified and
described. Landscape standards are also appropriate for Volcano, although issues
related to lot clearance could also be addressed in regulatory controls other than the
Special Design District." (PCDP Page 5-5.)
Their Action Plan called for implementing this District on a 2008 - 12 timetable for
Volcano.
The Boundary subcommittee members, Pat Halpern, Lorna Jeyte, Sherry Vierra, and
Vikki Milon propose that in accordance with the PCDP, The Volcano Historic District be
implemented following the PCDP criteria for a Community Village Center located within
a Special Design District with regard to zoning, access and design.
BOUNDARY
The following proposed boundary encompasses approximately 344 acres. Located
within this boundary are 47 Historic Buildings built prior to 1941 and listed in Volcano
Village Historic Building Inventory prepared for the Hawaii State Historic Preservation
Division, DLNR, by Boone Morrison, 1993.
Starting at approximately the 26 mile marker, North of Highway 11, and including that
small section of Hale Ohia Road which runs south of Highway 11, and continuing to
approximately the 27.5 mile point, where a segment of Old Volcano Road intersects
with Highway 11 .
This includes the complete segment of the Old Volcano Road in the Volcano Village that
was separated by the construction of Highway 11 . The district includes properties
fronting Old Volcano Road, then running North on Kalanikoa Road including properties
on the West side of Kalanikoa Road to the intersection of Kilauea Road.
Continuing East, it includes properties contained on the South side of Kilauea Road and
it's "on-paper" extension. Then running to the intersection of"paper road" Hinano Road,
and going South to include properties contained West of "paper road" Hinano Road,
and back to the approximate 26 mile marker starting point. See the attached map.
All properties within this boundary are included. It is noted that a portion of Hale Ohia
Road connected to Old Volcano Road is already designated as a State Historic
Preservation District. We also recommend that any properties outside the above
boundary that would like to join the Historic District, be encouraged and allowed to do
so, especially historic structure properties along the North side of Kilauea Road, and the
areas outside the proposed boundary lines on Haunani Road and Wright Road.
While this area of approximately 344 acres exceeds the 30 acres cited in the PCDP, the
members were concerned with (1) including as many historical buildings as were
possible and also (2) accommodating increasing population and development over the
next 50 years.
In addition, the PCDP, states "The second, and smaller, portion of the village center
would be at a presently undeveloped site on the other side of Highway 11 between the
Royal Hawaiian Estates and `Ohi`a Estates subdivisions. This portion of the village
center is intended for more service- oriented businesses. While this site does not
contain historic structures, businesses should not be prominently visible or have direct
vehicular access to Highway 11 . Instead, access to the second portion of the village
center would be via a parallel right-of-way remnant of the Old Volcano Highway."
(PCDP Page 5-10 and Figure 5-4.) It is important to recognize this land is owned by the
WH Shipman Company, and no approach to WHS has been made in the matter of a
second village center development.
ZONING
The PCDP addresses Zoning Designations in village and town centers. (PCDP 5.2.1 .)
"As suggested by the Volcano Community Association, the village center in Volcano is
split into two locations. The larger of the two sites, along the Old Volcano Highway
between Haunani Road and Wright Road, is within the historic core of Volcano. It is
roughly 43 acres and entirely within the State Urban District. Portions of this site have
County commercial zoning, but the community association's Vision 2020 Update
proposes the creation of a Rural Commercial (CR) district with specific design
guidelines to respect Volcano's historic character. The description of the CR zoning
resembles the criteria for a village center. (PCDP Page 5-10.)
Current zoning existing within the proposed boundary includes RS-10 RS-20, O, CV, A-
1 a and A-3a zoning. The subcommittee agreed that the guiding principles for the
Historic District are as follows:
(1) Controlled commercial development to allow for employment and economic growth
in Volcano
(2) Increasing services and opportunities for residents
(3) Supporting the needs of tourism in the area
(4) Preservation of Residential and Open Space within the District
Permitted Zoning uses appropriate to that vision are listed in the category headed as
"INCLUDED". Proposed exclusions are listed in the category headed as "EXCLUDED",
though these are included in the current Zoning Code Permissible Uses, Hawaii County
Code Chapter 25.
RS-10, RS-20 (Single Family Residential)
INCLUDED EXCLUDED
Adult day care homes Cemeteries and mausoleums
Community buildings Crop production, major
Dwellings, single-family
Family child care homes
Group living facilities (uncertainty noted)
Home occupations
Meeting facilities Model homes
Neighborhood parks, playgrounds,
tennis courts, swimming pools
Public uses and structures Temporary real estate offices
Utility substations
Bed and breakfast establishments
Care homes
Churches, temples and synagogues Crematoriums, funeral homes, mortuaries
Funeral services
Day care centers Golf courses,driving ranges,clubhouses
Old age, convalescent, nursing
rest homes and clinics Hospitals, sanitariums
Major outdoor amusement/recreation facilities
Schools Telecommunication antennas and towers.
Yacht harbors and boating facilities.
Buildings and uses normally considered directly accessory to the uses permitted in this
section shall also be permitted in the RS district.
O (Open District)
INCLUDED EXCLUDED
Aquaculture activities and facilities
Cemeteries and mausoleums
Community buildings
Existing churches and temples of historical significance
Forestry Game preserves
Growing of plants provided such growth does not impair a view intended to be
preserved in the O district
Heiaus, historical areas, structures, and monuments
Natural features, phenomena, and vistas as tourist attractions
Private recreational uses involving no aboveground structure except dressing rooms
and comfort stations
Public parks.
Public uses and structures Utility substations
Crematoriums, funeral homes, mortuaries
Funeral services Golf courses,
Yacht harbors and boating facilities
Wind energy facilities
Telecommunication antennas
CV (Village Commercial)
INCLUDED EXCLUDED
Adult day care homes Amusement and recreational facilities indoor
Art galleries, museums Automobile sales and rentals
Automobile service stations
Bars (excluding sports bars)
Bed and Breakfast establishments
Boarding facilities,Rooming,Lodging houses
Business services Cemeteries, mausoleums
Churches
Commercial parking
Community buildings
Convenience stores Crematoriums,mortuaries
Funeral services
Roadside stands for the sale of agricultural products
Small Crop production
Day care centers
Dwellings, single family
Family child care homes
Farmer's markets
Financial institutions Group Living Facilities
Home occupations
Old age, convalescent,nursing,
rest homes Hospitals, sanitariums
Hotels
Lodges
Medical clinics
Meeting facilities Model homes
Neighborhood parks
Offices
Personal services
Photography studios
Public uses and structures Publishing Plants
Repair establishments, major
Repair establishments, minor
Restaurants
Retail establishments
Schools Telecommunication antennas
Theaters Golf courses,ranges, club houses
Major outdoor amusements
Yacht harbors, boating
A (Agricultural District)
INCLUDED EXCLUDED
Agricultural parks (uncertainty noted)
Agricultural processing, minor Agricultural processing, minor
Agricultural tourism Animal hospitals
Aquaculture
Botanical gardens, nurseries, greenhouses
seed farms, plant experimental stations,
arboretums, floriculture Campgrounds
Parks, playgrounds, tennis courts,
swimming pools Cemeteries, mausoleums
Crop production
Dwelling, single-family Farm dwellings
Forestry Fertilizer yards
Group living facilities Game and fish propagation
Kennels
Livestock production
Retention, restoration, rehabilitation or
improvement of buildings or sites
of historic or scenic interest
Riding academies, rental, boarding stables
Roadside stands for sale of agricultural
products grown on premises Utility substations
Vehicle and equipment storage areas Veterinary establishment
Wind energy facilities
Golf courses, ranges, club house
Telecommunication antennas
Adult day care homes Airfields, heliports
Bed & Breakfasts
Community buildings Excavation for commercial use
Family child care homes
Guest ranches
Home occupations
Lodges
Meeting Facilities Model homes
Public Dumps
Temporary real estate offices
Trailer Parks
Crematoriums
Churches
Day care centers Hospitals, sanitariums
Old age, convalescent nursing and Major outdoor amusement and recreation
rest homes
Schools
EXCLUDED Uses could be accommodated within the greater Volcano community but
outside of the Historic District Boundary. "The second, and smaller, portion of the
village center would be at a presently undeveloped site on the other side of Highway 11
between the Royal Hawaiian Estates and `Ohi`a Estates subdivisions. This portion of the
village center is intended for more service- oriented businesses." (PCDP Page 5-10.)
Desired types of development within the District include:
Covered bus stop Bank annex
Library Wine Bar
Coffee Shop Restaurants
Bike Rental Flower/ Garden Center
Pharmacy Preschool
Adult Day Care Assisted Living
Deli Bakery
Visitor Center Medical Center
Pedestrian access with benches and planters
ACCESS & TRANSPORTATION
The group identified possible problems with traffic within the Historic District boundary.
The roads are not widely paved although there are road right of ways designated. In
keeping with the "village" atmosphere which we feel should be preserved, we hesitate to
have the right of way exercised by the County and do not want the pavement widened.
However, Pedestrian and Bike lanes are desirable and would increase safety.
Intersections have poor visibility and some lead to entering Highway 11 at a 55 mph
posted speed.
Proposed solutions to the dilemma could include:
• One way traffic on portions of Old Volcano Road to allow for pedestrian and bike lanes
at a lower cost to the County
• Opening access to Old Volcano Road at the 26 mile marker creating a Scenic Byway
• Reduced speed zone 45 mph on Highway 11 from the Park boundary to the south end
of the Historic District
• Turn lanes off Highway 11 or Roundabouts adjacent to the District
• Public Parking Area and designated bus stop
Additionally, the site for service-oriented businesses proposed on the south side of
Highway 11 "should not be prominently visible or have direct vehicular access to
Highway 11. Instead, access to the second portion of the village center would be via a
parallel right-of-way remnant of the Old Volcano Highway." (PCDP Page 5-10.)
DESIGN
Design issues within the Historic District will be addressed further by the Design
Guideline Committee.
r �
ft
CCAb
C•