2009-06-23 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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Department of Land and Natural Resources determines that the cemetery o parcel would adversely be affected and no mitigation would be possible. She mentioned that there is an existing monopalm approximately 150 feet away from this proposed site; however, according to the applicant the available mounting height on that tower is too low to achieve the necessary coverage. She added that the applicant also considered other locations and rooftops in the area including the Huallai Medical Center and Kona AliÒi Condominiums, but selected the proposed location from the standpoint of cost and interference of signals. Applicant Presentation The applicant was not available. The applicantÓs representative, Danette Mettler, was present. She stated that the archaeological firm hired by the applicant did not identify any issues related to the existing cemetery in their review of the project, and that although they havenÓt received a clearance from the State, they have received a letter from the Historic HawaiÒi Foundation indicating that the Foundation has no issues with the project. She also stated that the applicant has entered into a contract with the landowner for a license for this project area. In response to the CommissionersÓ questions, Ms. Mettler made the following statements: She thinks, though she is not certain, that a Fiberglas-type material is used for the artificial palm fronds, An example photo included in the application showing the antennas well hidden in the cluster of fronds better depicts the monopalm than the elevations sheet showing the antennas protruding from the cluster of fronds. There will be no blinking light on top since the subject site is far enough from the airport and the tower is less than 200 feet in height. The applicant is waiting for an archaeological report to submit Preservation Division, though she is not sure of the extent of the study. The applicant already has a site in the Old Industrial Area, as well as in Lunapule Plaza, and is proposing another site on top of Borders Bookstore, which will be brought to the Commission in the future. New technology such as PCS requires weaker power but more equipment and sites than cellular phone services do where the towers can be 20 miles apart from one another with stronger power. Options for the new site were limited, as it had to be positioned in such a way that it wouldnÓt interfere with the existing sites In order to reach its coverage objective the tower cannot have a tree or a structure in front of it, which would obstruct the signals. The cemetery on the subject parcel is not an ancient Hawaiian ce It is difficult to create a master plan of the network system since technology changes and there is high turnover among radio frequency engineers who would be the one to create such a plan. With the two existing sites, this proposed site and another site Kailua-Kona district should be well serviced for a very long time. 3