2008-07-08 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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In response to a question by Cmmr. Bleck as to what use was intended for the corner of the building at Henry Street and Kuakini Highway, Mr. Roachelle replied that while not settled, they anticipated that it may be occupied by a drive-through food service outlet such as a coffee shop. Public Testimony Barry Francis, stating he represented an ownership interest in a southerly abutting vacant parcel in the RM zoning district for which a two and three-story apartment complex was planned for construction, expressed concerns regarding (1) roofing material that may be highly reflective of glare into the future upper level apartments on the abutting parcel, (2) oleander hedge plantings that may be hazardous for children residing in their development, and (3) excessive, all-hours noise that may extend to their planned upper level apartments from the proposed car wash facility. [Note: this portion of the proposed development was not under review by KVDC at this meeting.] Applicant’s developer representative Shaun Asmus expressed certainty that the noise levels of the modern facility proposed would be below conversational levels at the facility itself, would pose no noise problem for abutting residents. He said that information supporting that position would be provided when the car-wash facility comes to KVDC for review. Cmmr. Au Hoy asked what the hours of car-wash operation would be. Mr. Asmus replied that he did not know, as that proposed tenant’s site lease agreement had not yet been finalized. Edward Rapoza, owner of an abutting parcel fronting Kuakini Highway, stated that he had executed a mutual easement (sometimes called a “cross-easement”) agreement with the applicant’s site owner for shared vehicular and pedestrian circulation over both parcels’ driveways, so that both parcels shared a common “right turn in, right turn out” driveway connection at Kuakini Highway, and an unrestricted driveway connection with the Alahou Street extension along the upper boundary of the subject property. Glennon Gingo expressed his belief that the steep grade and the high volume of traffic on Henry Street would result in the Alahou Street intersection creating a serious traffic hazard. Commission Discussion Several commissioners raised concerns as to whether the applicant’s project (right-in, right-out only) driveway connection with Kuakini Highway would create severe congestion at the close-by Henry Street intersection. Mr. Rapoza explained that by sharing a common entrance, exit and circulation systems, visitors to both sites could actually avoid exiting onto Kuakini Highway in favor of exiting above, onto Alahou Street, and thereby to Henry Street if they were mauka- bound. Also, he said that south or makai-bound customers for his parcel would be able to 4