2011-07-12 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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Daniel Sheinfeld, the architect for the project, presented updated information including their revised railing material and design for the second floor deck and an alternative color sample for the building exterior. He explained that the reason why they had chosen the particular gray color as a possible alternative to the originally proposed yellow was because it would compliment the colorful interior as well as the non-reflective steel-gray railings. In response to the Commissioners’ inquiries, he said that the applicant would be agreeable to a different shade of gray, but yellow would have to be the exact hue that was proposed. The Commission had a long discussion about the proposed colors. Commissioner Au Hoy was in favor of gray, and said that the proposed yellow would be too gaudy for the neighborhood, and that the Commission’s role was to preserve the quaint atmosphere of the Kailua Village. Commissioner Burns opined that gray would look depressing whereas the yellow would bring liveliness to the village. Commissioner Dunlap was concerned about such a large building painted in one shade, whether yellow or gray, and made a suggestion that the proposed yellow could be used as an accent color for the entryway, awnings or the like. In response, Commissioner Burns said that the white windows and the steel-gray railings would break up the main color, and repeated her preference for the yellow over the alternative gray. In response to the Chair’s question, the applicant said that he preferred the yellow, and added that his intention was to bring something good and vibrant to the community of which he felt he was a part. Mr. Sheinfeld answered in the negative to the Chair’s inquiry about the possibility of considering a different shade of yellow. Commissioner Stanbro directed the applicant’s attention to a yellow shade in the recommended color palette for the Kailua Village, which she thought would actually look better with the roof color. Commissioner Herbert was also concerned about deviating from the color guidelines, considering that the subject building was practically a three- story structure. Commissioner Dunlap said that he wanted to support new business in the community, and that the Commission should not halt this project altogether just because of their disagreement over color since there seemed to be no other issues. The applicant’s representatives agreed, saying that they would further look into the color options and submit another proposal for the Commission’s consideration, if the Commission were to forward a favorable recommendation and allow them to go forward with the permit process. Mr. Mark said that once the Commission made a decision, the decision would be final and give the Planning Director the authority to proceed with the next step based on the Commission’s recommendation unless the plan was drastically changed, in which case the change would have to be reviewed by the Commission; the applicant in this case could come back to the Commission with another color choice for informational purposes. It was moved by Commissioner Dunlap and seconded by Commissioner Au Hoy that the Commission recommend to the Planning Director approval of the proposed project based on the applicant’s specification of the exterior building color to be “Dorset Gold” from the Benjamin Moore Historical Colors palette or similar thereto. The Commission clarified its intent that the final color choice should be approved and specified by the Planning Director in any ensuing Plan Approval, and that the color should be more subdued than the originally submitted color. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with six ayes (Dunlap, Au Hoy, Burns, Herbert, Hetherington and Stanbro) and two absent and excused (Power and Saito). 2