2022-08-23 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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they were owned by one vacation rental company or by 18 individuals, and whether the applicant was told to build the project as private residences or as vacation rental units, it was going to end up in the short-term vacation rental market. Chairman Roth also added that even if it came in as low-income homes for sale, the zoning would allow the owners to rent them out as short-term vacation units unless prohibitions were written into the sales contract. Commissioner Ikeuchi commented that she understood that but could not in good conscious vote yes against what she valued most. She said that she had to be responsible for her culture so she could sleep at night, and that it came down to the point where whether or not she should leave the Commission; she mentioned that that was something to talk about on the side. Chairman Roth commented that although aesthetics was a big part of what the Commission looked at, the Master Plan, which he pointed out had been created in 1994, also talks about what the Kailua Village is supposed to be like, and they as commissioners needed to somewhat interpret and think what the village should look like; therefore, if they had strong feelings about what the village should look like, they should be voicing their opinion about that. He opined that having the multi-family density at the location would help the village stay as a vibrant village and would keep everywhere else from getting overrun with sprawl, and that having units that could be used as long-term housing would be a benefit to the village in the long run. Deputy Corporation Counsel Tiapula gave the Commissioners the following advice: 1) With respect to Commissioner Ikeuchi's earlier statement about a side conversation, based on the Sunshine Law, the Commissioners cannot have side conversations, and their conversations have to be public as part of this forum; 2) Section 4.1 of the Master Plan talks about the "Kona Way of Life" and how the physical environment is reflective of the community's character and therefore provides some leeway to the Commission. In response, Chairman Roth reiterated his earlier comment that aesthetics was not all of their review, but the Commissioners needed to interpret what is appropriate in the village. Commissioner Ikeuchi clarified her earlier statement about a side conversation to mean whether or not she would have to leave the Commission and not about any application items. Chairman Roth pointed out that since only the quorum was present, neither motion to approve nor deny seemed to pass, and that the other option would be a motion to defer. Commissioner Werchick moved to defer and said that rather than having the applicant go to the Planning Department with a negative recommendation from the Commission, tabling it would be the best way in his opinion. Commissioner Ikeuchi seconded the motion and said that she would like to hear opinions of the Commissioners who were absent. Upon inquiry by Ms. Newlon, Chairman Roth and Commissioner Werchick clarified that the intent of the motion was to defer to the next time the Commission actually convenes and not to schedule a meeting just for this item. Chairman Roth further said that the intent was also to potentially have more Commissioners present at the next meeting. There being no further discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with five ayes (Werchick, Ikeuchi, Greenwell, Kilkuskie, and Roth), no noes, and two absent and excused (Crusat and Kern). 2. PL-KVD-2022-000020: The applicant, Kerry Ringrose, sign fabricator for Pacific Sign & Design,is requesting design review of a sign permit. The proposed wall sign is for the new tenant space for The Mind's Eye Interiors, located at the Hale Hana Center at 74-5583 Luhia Street, Kailua Kona. The proposed wall sign measure 18 inches tall by 4 Kailua Village Design Commission August 23,2022,Meeting Minutes