2019-04-09 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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allowing variances over and over again would bring in more garish signs wanting the same. She questioned why not stay within the guidelines, if what was requested was just a little extra. In answering Chairman Roth’s question, she said that the sign elevation was acceptable to her. Commissioner Sullenberger agreed with her that the height seemed appropriate from an architectural standpoint, but that he was also concerned about the overall size. Commissioner Smith commented that his understanding was that the sign ordinance was intended for signs with no setback from the street. He said that because in this case the building was set back 100 feet, the existing banner sign looked small. Commissioner Hetherington agreed with Commissioner Ikeuchi that each variance granted had been leading to more variances and bigger signs, and that the reason why the Commission tried to hold to the guidelines was so that the small-town atmosphere was kept. He spoke of Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, which had no signage on the building but was known by everyone in the community. Commissioner Ching, while acknowledging Commissioner Smith’s opinion, also agreed with Commissioner Ikeuchi that the Commission should stick with the set standards. Commissioner Smith said that if the Commission were to not approve the proposed wall sign, the applicant might come back with a 22-square foot ground sign right along the highway boundary, which they were entitled to; in his opinion the proposed wall sign would preserve the character of the village better than a standalone ground sign. Chairman Roth said that the Commission had to be fair in the way it considered variances; for example, the Kona Coast Shopping Center (“KCSC”), whose buildings were also set back, had been granted variances for that reason. He said that variances existed to offer equity to businesses with those unusual circumstances, and so the Commission should not say no more variances at all because of a certain event. He said further that the Commissioners should think about how their review could be applied fairly throughout the village in the way that would still maintain the character of the village. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Sullenberger, Ms. Bugado said that the variances granted to KCSC allowed twelve-inch high logos and letters for the interior stores and 22-inch high maximum for the two anchor stores, though one might be slightly less. Chairman Roth commented that in his opinion the design of the subject wall sign was much more tasteful than many other existing signs in the heart of the village. It was moved by Commissioner Smith that the Commission recommend approval of the application as submitted. The motion failed for lack of second. Commissioner Ching moved to defer action, and explained that he would like the applicant to consider other options, such as a ground sign. Chairman Roth questioned if a ground sign was what the Commission wished to recommend. Commissioner Ikeuchi responded that the wall sign was acceptable to her, as far as the elevation and the design were concerned; however, she wanted the overall size and the height of logo and letters to be within the established allowance. The consensus among the Commissioners was that the sign, notwithstanding whether it was wall-mounted or ground-mounted, should comply with the guidelines. Commissioner Sullenberger commented that the proposed sign would have to be reduced by 67 percent in total size to comply with the allowable 22 square feet, and that what might be considered was to make 7