2020-07-21 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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Commissioner Werchick - commented that he thinks the sign of that size has existed for so long that its already a part of the community, everybody is familiar with a sign that size, requiring them to repaint or to make major adjustments to cover up sun bleached spots would be an undo burden. Whether Bubba Gump applied for the variance or not, it went for so many years without protest and without any enforcement, the community has obviously accepted it, obviously the members of this commission. Chairman Roth - said, "the facade of the building I believe is galvanized and I know it's not painted in any way, if it was in a situation where they could easily repaint it to get rid of the large circle, but this case it would mean changing the color of the whole thing or replacing the metal." Commissioner Crusat - agreed with Riley Smith in approving the sign. She mentions the placement of the building at Bubba Gump's is difficult to see if you are driving on Alii Drive. Crusat agreed and thought that the variance should be approved. Commissioner Smith-wanted to clarify that the sign was non-illuminated. Chairman Roth - answered that the pictures of the facade to the left and the right, is just the building wall and that it was not actually lighting the sign itself. Chairman Roth asked applicant to clarify. Applicant- answered that there was sort of current down light along the building and was not going to do anything with them, and that they don't exactly light the sign, they sort of wash the facade of the building. Commissioner Smith- clarifies his point. "It wasn't that the sign was not back lit, if there were lights on the facade that washed the wall, than that is different than an illuminating sign that has internal lighting. That's why I'm in favor of the sign." Chairman Roth - gave an example of the Planet Fitness. There was a large illuminating sign that was self-illuminated. The difference between this project and Planet Fitness is that the applicants are following the correct process. They are showing good faith in following the rules. Commissioner Werchick - commented that applicant should not be punished if Bubba Gump failed to get a variance. That's not this applicants fault. Commissioner Hetherington - comments, "The one thing I hope we've learned from Planet Fitness, is that it doesn't matter whether a previous owner or tenant had a variance. That does not necessarily apply for the future. I vote in favor." Commissioner Ching - agreed to approve the design. 4