2008-09-23 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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3.KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION – Open Discussion Discussion and possible recommendations regarding interpretation of Section 4, Design Guidelines, of the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona, including but not limited to, architectural design, streetscape elements, signage criteria, color specifications, landscape (including plant material selection) and off-street parking. Commissioner Ogin asked the staff whether or not any of the KVBID projects within the Kailua Village Special District should come before the Commission for review, and Ms. Newlon replied that she thought their temporary banners should, and that other improvements, such as the trash receptacles, might be worth looking into. Mr. Mark mentioned that unless applicants are seeking a sign permit or a plan approval, they are not required by the Zoning or Sign Code to submit their plans to the Commission; and in that case, the Commission has to inform the applicable entity of the Commission’s desire to review the project. At this time Ms. Kaliko Chun, a resident of Kailua-Kona, requested an opportunity to speak, and the Chair allowed her to provide testimony. Ms. Chun, in response to Commissioner Ogin’s earlier remarks, stated that the Commission would definitely want to review what is going on in the KVBID. She expressed her concern that she felt that individual property owners of the district are not adequately informed by the KVBID of its projects and status, and that those projects should come before this Commission where members of the public can come, speak and be informed. She mentioned how the Kailua Village Special District was created and so named from her background as a member of the original commission in 1973 and of the group that worked on the ordinance, and said that she believes that not only the banners and trash receptacles but all items in the KVBID should come before the Commission. She added that the Commission should send a letter to the KVBID to that effect. The Commissioners discussed their roles, reviewed the Zoning Code, and concurred that it is within the purview of their responsibilities to review KVBID projects within the Kailua Village Special District. The Chair concluded this discussion by asking the staff to draft a letter informing KVBID of the decision and requesting their cooperation on this matter. In more general topic, in response to the Commissioners’ question about the actual implementation of their decisions, the staff replied that their recommendations are repeated almost word for word in the letters to the applicants and considered during the plan approval process. Mr. Mark mentioned that the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona is not an ordinance but guidelines. The Commissioners discussed different characteristics and needs of areas within the Kailua Village Special District and how uniform guidelines cannot serve them all. 3