2025-09-02 PL-REZ-2025-000083 Opposition Testimony from Jennifer Navarra

Home

From: Jennifer Navarra To: WPCtestimonv Subject: Item#7 William Morris(PL-REZ-2025-000083),in opposition to zoning change Date: Tuesday, September 2,2025 5:12:20 PM Dear Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission, My name is Jennifer Navarra, and I am a resident of Volcano Village as well as an active member of the Volcano Community Association's Forest Overlay Committee, which is dedicated to protecting native `ohi`a forest in our region. I am writing in strong opposition to the request to rezone the subject lot on Old Volcano Highway to CV-20. Approving this rezoning would create a troubling precedent, opening the door for additional commercial rezoning requests from neighboring landowners. The likely outcome would be near-total clearing of the native `ohi`a forest along this corridor and extensive paving for parking areas fronting the Old Volcano Highway. Such impacts would irreversibly change the rural character, ecological health, and forested landscape that defines this stretch of Volcano. I want to emphasize that our community does support appropriate commercial growth in Volcano—but in the places where it has already been designated. At present, there is a significant amount of vacant commercial space within the village core. For example, the unit next to True Value Hardware remains unused, and there is a commercial lot for sale adjacent to the Eagle Cafe within the already established commercial zone. These alternatives demonstrate that there are viable opportunities for new businesses without expanding development outside the intended boundaries. The proposed rezoning site falls outside the areas identified for commercial use in the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP), the Volcano Community Development Plan (VCDP 2015), and the Hawaii County General Plan 2045. These planning documents make a clear distinction: the Old Volcano Highway corridor above the post office is designated "Low Density Urban,"where residential use is primary and only limited ancillary commercial activity is appropriate. By contrast, the commercial core near and below the post office is designated"Moderate Density Urban," specifically intended to accommodate village- and neighborhood-scale commercial development. Given these clear planning directives and the availability of suitable alternatives within the existing commercial zone, I respectfully urge the Planning Commission to deny this rezoning request. Protecting the native forest and maintaining the planned character of Volcano Village is critical to sustaining the unique sense of place that residents and visitors alike value. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Jennifer Navarra Resident of Volcano Village