2019-11-05 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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Location: 75-5718 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Ms. Newlon gave a PowerPoint presentation of the application. She displayed the applicant's photographs to show the collapsed seawall and debris proposed to be removed, plastic and concrete barriers to be used as a temporary safety measure, wooden planter box and the proposed locations for 20 of those planter boxes. For the Commission's information she said that the applicant was simultaneously requesting a Special Management Area Use Permit Assessment for this proposal, and that they had consulted with the State Historic Preservation Division ("SHPD") and received concurrence on their determination that no historic properties would be affected by the proposed project. She clarified that review by the Commission was required for visual impacts that the project might have on the Kailua Village Special District Chairman Roth called upon the applicant. Mr. Tracy Tam Sing from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks ("DLNR-DSP"), presented the following information: • The seawall collapse had been caused by high surf on July 14, 2019. The current proposal was to remove the debris. Future repair work would be like-for-like. • Installation of safety barriers along the sidewalk fronting the seawall was a temporary measure until an engineer could draw plans for the seawall repair and other long-term improvements. • Placement of 20 planter boxes was also temporary until the long-term improvements were implemented. The purpose was to create a vegetation barrier to prevent the unlawful entry into and undesirable activities on the Palace grounds. Mr. Tam Sing noted that the Commission had approved aluminum fencing proposed by the Palace a few years ago, for which they were waiting for funding as part of the overall improvement project. He emphasized that the proposed work was to ensure public health and safety, and that SHPD had approved this short-term protective safety measures. Chairman Roth thanked Mr. Tam Sing for clarifying the reason for the planter boxes, which in his opinion was a reasonable concern. Commissioner Ikeuchi expressed her support by saying that the proposal was a necessary safety measure, which would benefit the community, and that she was excited about the overall improvement project. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Crusat, Mr. Tam Sing said that the funding would come from the state capital improvement budget. Commissioner Kern agreed with Commissioner Ikeuchi, highlighting that the Palace was located in the center of town. It was moved by Commissioner Kern and seconded by Commissioner Ikeuchi that the Commission forward to the Planning Director a recommendation for approval of the proposal as presented. There being no discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with seven ayes (Kern, Ikeuchi, Ching, Crusat, Hetherington, Sullenberger and Werchick), no noes and one absent and excused (Smith). In response to the Commission's inquiry, Mr. Sean Newsome, also from DLNR-DSP, stated that at this time they were not sure when the funding for the long-term improvements would become available, but that they would do their best to get it done. 2