2012-03-20 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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Commissioner Stanbro pointed out size consistency in particular, even though the proposed sign was in compliance with the variance. However, no comparison information was available at that moment. It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington, and seconded by Commissioner Burns, to recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the proposed sign as submitted. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with six ayes (Hetherington, Burns, Andreae, Au Hoy, Herbert and Stanbro), and one absent and excused (Saito). 2. Design Review of a sign variance application for a wall sign for Goodyear Auto Service Center. Applicant: Goodyear Auto Service Center No. 8021. Landowner: Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust. TMK: 7-4-015:010. Located in the Kailua Industrial Subdivision at 74-5488 Kaiwi Street, Kailua-Kona. Mr. Childs oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, and described the proposed sign and variance application. He also distributed recent pictures of the subject property to the Commissioners. He noted that the applicant could be expected to revise its application to add a variance also from Section 3-59(a)(4), as the proposed mounting height appeared to exceed the limit set forth. Mr. Chad Raymond represented the applicant. Commissioner Burns said that she was having a problem with considering any sign applications because of lack of enforcement; it seemed wrong for the Commission to deny any application from someone trying to comply with the Sign Code, while there were many businesses that were allowed to go on with illegal signs. Commissioner Andreae opined that it was prudent for the Commission to make recommendations as to what should be acceptable or unacceptable in the Kailua Village. Commissioner Hetherington said that even though the Commission was not the final decision-making body, it was given the power to make recommendations and it should use that power consistently. Regarding the subject sign, Commissioner Stanbro said that it should be looked at proportionally to the building rather than by itself, and that accordingly the proposed size seemed acceptable. She suggested, however, that the spacing between letters could be reduced in order to make the overall area smaller, if necessary. Mr. Raymond responded that the applicant was very strict about their corporate branding, which included the letter spacing. Mr. Mark mentioned that changes in letter height restrictions were being proposed in amendments to the Sign Code in progress. Commissioner Burns said that uniform height restrictions were not practical in the Kailua Industrial Subdivision due to various building sizes and shapes in the district. Mr. Childs gave a brief history of the Kailua Industrial Subdivision being incorporated into the Kailua Village design district, and said that it had been subject to the more permissive County-wide provisions of the Sign Code until then. Commissioner Au Hoy pointed out that the reason for the incorporation was because the community wanted to clean up the area, and that they had not been successful in achieving the objective because no enforcement was taking place. Commissioner Stanbro commented that there might be a way to appropriate sign application fees for enforcement personnel. Mr. Raymond said that more businesses would comply, if code restrictions were realistic. Commissioners were in agreement that considering the size and architecture of the building, as well as the setback from the street, the size of the proposed sign was acceptable, that the proposed mounting height was appropriate for visibility to motorists where the primary traffic was vehicular, 2