2008-11-18 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Ogin, Coats, Au Hoy, Bleck, Herbert and Kern) and one absent and excused (Harris-Glade). Commissioner Ross abstained, and was excused, due to a potential conflict of interest. 3.Design review of a proposed twelve unit office/residential use condominium project. Applicant: John Hetherington of Hawaii Design Group. Land Owner: Charles Cotton of Walua Sunsets LLC, and William Hall LLC. TMK: 7-5-018:092. Located at 75-5915 Walua Road, Kailua-Kona, HI, northwest of the junction of Walua Road and Lunapule Road. Staff Presentation Ms. Newlon oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, and summarized the proposed project and her review of it against the Zoning Code, Rule 17 and the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona. She mentioned that the project previously secured the Commission’s favorable recommendation to the Planning Director, a Final Plan Approval and a Special Management Area Use Permit for a 12-unit apartment building; however, the project concept has since been changed to office/residential mixed use, and therefore the applicant is going through the permit process again. Applicant Presentation The applicant, John Hetherington, introduced himself, and gave some background information regarding the concept change. Public Testimony There was no one from the public wishing to testify on this agenda item. Commission Discussion In response to Commissioner Ogin’s question, Ms. Newlon clarified that the parking calculation is based on office use since that has higher parking requirement than that of residential use. Commissioner Ogin expressed his concern whether 40 parking stalls would be adequate since the building might house businesses that require more parking for customers, such as restaurants, shops and medical offices. Mr. Hetherington stated that the project is not meant for restaurants or retail shops, but at this point the type of occupants is unpredictable. He added that what they are promoting is the same person living upstairs and having an office downstairs, which would reduce the commercial density. Commissioner Ogin commended the concept of office/residential mixed use. In response to Commissioner Bleck’s inquiries, Ms. Newlon said that no loading zone is required for the proposed use, that the elevator shaft can go 10 feet above the 30-foot height limit, and that the applicant has to submit a sign permit application separately. In response to Commissioner Ross’s observation, Mr. Hetherington said that shallow- rooted plants will be selected for the landscape strip fronting Kuakini Highway so as not to interfere with the sewer line running through the landscape easement. 3