2022-06-21 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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Ikeuchi also asked if the signs would be illuminated from the inside, and Ms. Newlon requested that the applicant clarify his proposal for lighting. Chairman Roth called upon the applicant for his presentation. In response to Commissioner Ikeuchi's question, Mr. Vierra explained that the signs would be internally lit with white LED lights, and that because the logo and lettering would be projecting about a half inch from the background with the opaque surface, the illumination effect would be a glow around the edges of the logo and lettering. He confirmed Ms. Newton's presentation on the intended modification to the overall height of the ground sign and stated that it would be reduced to 6 feet. He added that if the modification included relocating the address to the rock wall base, that address would not be illuminated. He said that there was presently some landscape lighting, which he was unsure whether or not the architect intended to maintain in addition to the internal illumination. With respect to the wall sign next to the main entrance, Mr. Vierra stated that because that wall was set back far from the property line, and also the sign would be mounted in a recessed area under a canopy roof, the visibility from the public right-of-way would be limited. He further stated that the purpose of the sign was so that as customers drive in, they could distinguish HCFCU from an adjacent property with which HCFCU shares the vehicle entry. He noted that the wall sign would also be internally lit the same way as the ground sign. Mr. Vierra confirmed Chairman Roth's supposition that the background surface was also opaque, which would only reflect the light. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Ikeuchi, Mr. Vierra clarified that the letters and logo would be illuminated internally, but that the light would not come through the faces of them but reflect off of them and create a glow around each letter. When asked by Commissioner Ikeuchi what time HCFCU closes its door, Mr. Vierra said that while unsure of exact time, he would guess at 6:00 p.m. as a typical financial institution. He noted that he had not stipulated the hours that the signs would be illuminated. There being no further questions of the applicant from the Commissioners, Chairman Roth opened the floor for comments and discussion. He commented that the ground sign being lower in height would be an improvement, that the overall facelift of the building would help the village look better, and that he found the proposed signs to be very much in keeping with the building. He further said that with the property like this where the signs would primarily be seen while driving, he did not have a problem with the logo size as proposed. Commissioner Ikeuchi said that her concern with the internal lighting was that it was unknown how bright the internal light could be made. She said that since the business closes before the sunset, she did not understand why the ground sign would need to be brighter than a few tasteful landscape lights pointing at it, which would be classier and more upscale in her opinion. Commissioner Werchick said that he would have no objection to it being internally lit as long as it was somehow indicated that it would be soft lighting and not a glaring type of bright lighting. Chairman Roth commented that unlike the white band on the Kentucky Fried Chicken building that the Commission had had lots of discussions on, this illumination design would create indirect glowing light. He further said that he would be fine with either the proposed method or use of landscape lighting, but that it might be the applicant's opinion that the glowing light would give more modern look to the sign. Commissioner Ching expressed his support for the 3 Kailua Village Design Commission June 21,2022,Meeting Minutes