2019-05-21 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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Landowner: Robin W. Ledson Tr. TMK: (3) 7-5-022:018 Location: 75-5705 Kalawa Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Ms. Newlon gave a PowerPoint presentation. She described the property location and the exterior design elements of the proposed building, such as the color scheme using a tan color for the walls, a dark brown for the wood trim band, posts and beams, and white for the window and door trims, as well as the use of rock walls on the site. She said that the plan showed to provide twelve garage parking spaces, eight uncovered standard spaces, along with one van accessible ADA space, for a total of 21 spaces, which would exceed the ten parking spaces required by the Zoning Code. She mentioned that the driveway would connect with Alahou Street, and that there was no access planned from Kalawa Street. She spoke of two setback variances from the Zoning Code that had been issued in 2004 and 2006 for previously proposed projects, a four-story, 25-unit condominium and a three-story, 18-unit condominium, respectively. She concluded by saying that the proposed design appeared to be consistent with the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona. Asked by Commissioner Sullenberger, Ms. Newlon clarified that the current proposal met the setback requirements, and that no variance was required. Chairman Roth called upon the applicant. Mr. Bill Weigang, the applicant and designer of the project, stated that he had no additional information to present. Commissioner Hetherington pointed out that the conceptual landscape plan showed some trees that appeared to be outside the subject parcel. Mr. Weigang responded that three of them appeared to be on the property line, with the rest being on the adjacent parcel, and that they were very nice trees but he had no knowledge of who had planted them. He said that he intended to save and maintain them by designing the rock wall to go around them. He also mentioned that he did not know what was being planned for the adjacent parcel, although it had been cleared. Commissioner Sullenberger asked whether or not gas would be used for water heating, as no propane tank was shown on the plans. Mr. Weigang responded that it would be solar electricity from the proposed photovoltaic panels on the roof, and that he would rather avoid gas since the units were rental apartments. Chairman Roth opened the floor for discussion. Commissioner Hetherington said that the overall design of the building and the proposed colors seemed appropriate. Chairman Roth said that the garage doors had appeared to him a little severe at first, but considering that the building would be facing the commercial area, with trees along the border, the proposed design seemed to make sense. He also commented that it was nice to have higher density housing in the particular area where a lot of commercial establishments were within walking distance. It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Sullenberger that the Commission recommend approval of the project as presented. There being no discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with five ayes (Hetherington, Sullenberger, Crusat, Werchick and Roth), no noes, and four absent and excused (Ching, Ikeuchi, Kern and Smith). 2