COM 0042.060 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 12, 2004 _ To: _ ~fJ wt~-Ct; (1'la~- ~a-vt-tes . rak~,k-~ ~p~,, FROM: Kailua Village Merchant Association, Sign Code Working Group RE: Bill 280, Draft 6 -Proposed amendments and review efforts to date Considering that within the Hawaii County Taxation District during the year 2000; o~ over 85% of businesses were sole proprietors (19,048 of 22,371 total businesses), and ~ up to 27% of the work force were self-employed (19,048 proprietors of 69,600 total civilian workforce, Hawaii State Data Book), the potential impact of an overly restrictive commercial sign code on our community economy could be significant. We haue heard repeated testimony from small business that changing 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. Please find attached, our fu•st submissfion of proposed amendments to Bill 28Q Draft 6 which addresses our main concenrs: 1) clarifying definitions to improve user understanding , 2) upriating boundaries within Kailua Village Design District, 3) revising code to support basic commercial signage, and 4) revise enforcement sections to clarify enforcement personnel, to delete criminal prosecution and reinstate written notification and civil fines as lead enforcement actions. For an overview of the proposed amendments, we have prepared Attachtnent A - Commerc.al Signage Summary with the proposed changes noted. We have also enclosed Attachment B - Table of Contents for Bi112,80 for your use while reviewing our proposals. We aze requesting consideration for a~tother bill deferment at the July 23'd Council meeting to allow time to gain input from additional business groups, and to review 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 signage). Lastly, we are requesting that the Council consider revising the effective date of the bill to 6~ days after the Department completes a mass mailing of auser-friendly 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-intentioned business owners, and thereby reduce the cost and incidence of enforcement action toward uninformed business owners. Respectfully submitted, Comm. No. ~(j~ ~ ~ Ref. To: • Ref. Gate .II 11 ~ ~i 9Di~h