Big Island Charter schools possible closure

[Rob Tucker]

There are a multitude of examples of Puna businesses and residents becoming creative with their definitions of Ag Land uses. In my opinion there is some simple justification for this. The residents of Puna have pretty much been forced to do so.

Puna has been effectively starved for zoning in all designations except AG. The history seems to be that over past councils and planning departments the simple theory of "let em drive to Hilo" seemed to be the unwritten General Plan.

I am not saying that the routes of applying for cumbersome, costly and time consuming Special Use permits should not be pursued - but I am suggesting that, as a community, we need to demand a general rethinking of how Puna has been treated in regard zoning and some patience should be applied.

The Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) is the manifestation of that rethinking.

I would hope that the planning and other state departments might deal gently with a number of altruistic ventures (such as charter schools) while the PCDP moves forward.
I can't predict that the PCDP will or would resolve WOL's zoning issues but WOL is correct when they say there are no commercial or school zoning opportunities in these neighborhoods.