2010-07-13 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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2. Design review of a sign permit application for a ground sign and a directory sign for Watumull Properties Corporation. Applicant: Jeremy Neill of Neill Sign and Design. Land Owners: Jaidev Watumull of Watumull Properties Corporation. TMK: 7-5- 008:009.Located at 75-5776 Ali‘i Drive, Kailua-Kona, at Waterfront Row. Ms. Newlon oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map, presented illustrations supplied by the applicant and described the proposed ground and directory signs as to size, number and tone of colors used and lettering fonts. She reported that while the proposed ground sign appeared to comply with the Sign Code, it did not appear to meet all of the various KVDC Guidelines for signs due to the number of colors and font styles used. Ms. Newlon noted that the particular business (Blue Waiaka Restaurant) named in the proposed streetfront ground sign would not be allowed to have a second sign visible from the street mounted elsewhere in the building complex because of the Sign Code limitation of one sign per business per street frontage. As to the proposed directory sign, she stated that it also met the requirements of the Sign Code but did not meet the KVDC Guidelines for signs due to the number of different fonts used as well as the lack of design consistency with the primary structure. In discussion following the presentation, commissioners queried staff as to whether the imagery on the ground sign was a logo or simply artwork. Staff explained that in this case the image was considered to be artwork as there was no direct identification with any tenant’s business name or logo. Commissioners also discussed the many different colors present in the sign with some concern that too much content, in both wording and colors, was proposed for this sign. Patti Kiernan, CRC, of Clark Commercial Group, property manager for the subject property’s owner, came forward to address questions from the Commissioners. Ms. Kiernan explained the owner’s reasons for the proposed mix of imagery and wording content on the sign. Commissioner queried the applicant’s representative as to the safety of the arrow-shaped sign placards on the proposed directory sign and suggested possible alternatives. Ms. Kiernan explained why the owner felt there was little or no practical hazard created by the proposed placards but expressed a willingness to review the design as to whether a revision would be justified. Commissioners also asked for clarification as to the number of fonts on the tenant signs and if logos were also intended. Ms. Kiernan said the owner would be willing to provide all business names in a single font and letter size. There were no statements from the public on this matter. 2