2021-05-25 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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opposed to having it illuminated from inside. Mr. Ast responded that they had never considered creating a spotlight effect, and that backlit was subtler than spotlight. He also noted that their sign was not much larger than the Planet Fitness'. Chairman Roth said in agreement that spotlight would reflect off the walls and it would be harder to shield the brightness. Mr. Tanaka commented that the County has an outdoor lighting ordinance specific to lighting signs, including some timing elements such as that the light should be off at 11:00 p.m. Chairman Roth asked Commissioner Werchick if it would be acceptable to him that the illumination was timed to be off from 11:00 p.m. to sunrise. Commissioner Werchick responded that he did not like illuminated signs, because if it was not necessary, it was advertising. He opined that the applicant was purposing the sign for a billboard function, rather than a directory function, and that a billboard should go somewhere else. Commissioner Crusat said that the illumination was acceptable to her, but that the 34.5-inch logo should be scaled down as Planet Fitness had done with theirs, which would lessen the advertising effect as well. She said that she was fine with the lettering height, but that the difference between the allowable 9 inches and the proposed 34.5 inches for the logo was quite big. Chairman Roth recalled that the Safeway logo across the highway had been reduced from 8 feet as initially proposed to 36 inches. Commissioner Sullenberger was of the opinion that the sign was proportionate to the building as is and would work well with the architecture, and that the backlit illumination would present a very subtle effect. He added that with Planet Fitness' purple being there, this sign did not bother him. It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Sullenberger that the Commission forward to the Public Works director its approval of the application as submitted. There being no discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with five ayes (Smith, Sullenberger, Ching, Ikeuchi, and Roth), two noes (Crusat and Werchick), and one absent and excused (Kern). Mr. Tanaka told the applicant that their variance application would be forwarded to the Public Works director, with the Commission's recommendation. He also recommended the applicant to provide a communication clarifying that they did send the notice to those surrounding businesses and did not receive any comments back. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Ms. Newlon stated that there were no administrative matters to be addressed. Commissioner Smith, referring to Chairman Roth's earlier comment about a master signage plan by the building owner, asked if that was something that the County could instigate by sending a letter to the owner. Mr. Tanaka responded that while opening that communication could be done, imposing something on them that was not required by the code would be a challenge. Chairman Roth commented that that could be added to the list of future revisions to the Kailua Village Special District guidelines. Commissioner Smith thanked Mr. Tanaka for his attendance and said that it would have been difficult for the Commission to come to a decision on the application without his participation. 4 Kailua Village Design Commission May 25,2021,Meeting Minutes