COM 0042.059 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 12, 2004 I' TO' Q, ~ ~~1~~a- V ti's... 1 ~_--n u ?1 LS (r0 ilvn 4sy ~ , Q L ~ FROM: Kailas Village Merchant Associatiory Sign Code Working C3roup `A; RE: Bill 280, Drag 6 -Proposed amendments and review efforts to date - Considering that within the Hawaii County Taxation District. during the year 2000; ~ over 85% of businesses were sole proprietors (19,048 of 22,371 total businesses), and up to 27`/0 of the work force were self-emp)oyed (19,04$ proprietors of 69,600 )oral civilian workforce, Hawau State Data Book), the potential impact of an overly restrictive commercial sign code on our community economy could be significant. We have heard repeated testimony from smap business that changin~ one sign can change business revenues up to 30%. Therefore, we appreciate the opportunity to submit proposals for sign code in support of small business. i Please find attached, our first submission of proposed amendments to Bill 280, Drag 6 which addresses our main concerns: 1) clarifying definitions to improve user understanding , 2) updating boundaries within Kailas Village Design District, 3) revising wde to support basic commercial si$ttage, and 4) revise enforcement sections to ctarify enforocment personnel, to delete aritninal prosecution and reinstate written notification and civil fines as lead enforcement actions. For an overview of the proposed amendments, we have prepared Attachmenrt A -Commercial Signage Summary with the proposed changes noted. We have also enclosed Attachment B - Table of Convents for Bill 280 for your use while reviewing our proposals, We arc requesting consideration for another bill deferment at the July 23`" Council meeting to allow time to gain input from additional business groups, and to reviow additional areas of the code (e.g., consistency of content organization between Articles; portable sign definition and specification code; new business temporary sign specifications; consistency of time period, allowed for temporary signs; allowances and area calculations for tri-sided directory side). Lastly, we are requesting that the Council consider revising the ettbctive date of the bill to' 60 days after the Department completes a mass mailing of a user-fiiendly pamphlet (development per Section 3-48) to all registered businesses and property owners within the Hawaii Taxation District. A direct mailing will notably heighten awareness and compliance by well-inte~rciQned business owners, and thereby reduce the coat and incidence of enforcement action toward uninformed business owners. Respec ly submitted, ` , ~