2019-11-19 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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located at a height of 22 feet. The sign variance applies to the height of the logo which is 24" tall, that is located above the lettering for the bank name on the sign. Landowner: Credit Union Hawaii TMK: (3) 7-5-008:021 Location: 75-5781 Kuakini Highway,Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Ms. Newlon gave a PowerPoint presentation of the application. She described the revisions that the applicant had made to their initial submittal, on which the Commission had deferred action at its April 9, 2019, meeting and also advised the applicant to come back with alternative proposals. She noted that the revised design would satisfy the Sign Code requirements for sign area and lettering height, but that it would still require a variance for the logo height and sign elevation. Chairman Roth noted that the agenda described the range of the letter heights from 3 feet 5 inches (3'-5")to 9 inches (9"), which should read 3.5 inches to 9 inches. Ms. Newlon acknowledged the typographical error and concurred with the Chairman's correction. Chairman Roth called upon the applicant. Ms. Cheryl Weaver of CU Hawaii, representing the applicant, introduced herself, as well as Mr. Mario Ramirez, the manager of the Kailua-Kona branch in question. She thanked the Commission for the input provided at the previous meeting, and said that they were pleased with the revised plan, which they hoped would also be acceptable to the Commission. Chairman Roth opened discussion by saying that considering the setback distance from the road, the proposed sign seemed reasonable, which was mostly in compliance except for the logo height. Commissioner Sullenberger commented that the sign also looked proportionally appropriate for the architecture; however, he questioned the size of the backing that appeared to be protruding from the building wall in the simulated picture. Ms. Weaver clarified that it was the process of creating the picture that caused that impression, and that the sign would be made of the design elements with no backing. With that clarification, Commissioner Sullenberger expressed his support for the proposed sign. Commissioner Ching said that he had driven by the subject property and seen how far the building was set back from the street, and that he had no problem with the sign as proposed. Commissioner Hetherington commented that based on the scale of the site plan, the setback distance appeared to be approximately 121 feet, which in his opinion was a significant distance. Asked by Commissioner Smith, Ms. Newlon said that the Sign Code allowance for the height of logo was 9 inches. Commissioner Smith noted that the applicant was proposing their logo to be 24-inch high while the code allowance was 9 inches; however, he was also in support of the application, given that the building was set so far from the road. Chairman Roth commented that the applicant's logo was also graphic in nature as opposed to some other business logos and looked appropriate. It was moved by Commissioner Sullenberger and seconded by Commissioner Ching that the Commission forward its approval of the sign as proposed to the Director of Public Works. There being no discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with seven ayes (Sullenberger, Ching, Kern, Crusat, Hetherington, Smith and Werchick), no noes and one absent and excused (Ikeuchi). 2