HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11 AC to PD draft ltr req Pahoa Plan ConsultantCommunication No. 201 5 -1 1
March 10, 2015
Duane Kanuha
Planning Director
Planning Department
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720
Aloha Director Kanuha,
RE: Planning Consultant for the Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan and Waste Water
Treatment Studv
The Action Committee of the Puna CDP urges the Planning Department to move forward on the
hiring of a consultant for the Pahoa Plan and the Wastewater treatment study. The Pahoa
Regional Town Center Steering Committee, a sub - committee of the Action Committee, voted
unanimously at their last meeting on February 16, 2015 for action to resume on the hiring of a
consultant.
The progress of hiring this consultant was stalled when the threat of lava led us to believe that
Pahoa was about to be overrun. As we know, the flow and direction of the lava is unpredictable
and may not ever, or may take years to do whatever it will ultimately do. In the meantime,
Pahoa is still here, and developers, residents and area community members still want to sustain
and develop businesses in the Village.
The issues that were present before the lava emergency remain and the businesses are returning.
In order to support intelligent growth and to preserve the character of Pahoa we need to have a
Regional Town Center Plan. Our Design Guidelines and supporting ordinances are moving
swiftly through the County Council. We urge you to move without delay to complete the
process of hiring a planning consultant.
Sincerely,
Patti Pinto
Chair, PCDP Action Committee
cc: Greggor Ilagan, Danny Paleka