2013-10-08 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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parcel, which had previously been reviewed and supported by the Commission, as well as a few existing communication towers in the vicinity. He noted that the architectural design guidelines of the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona were difficult to apply in this case for the reason that the proposed improvements were dedicated to a core industrial function, and located in a general industrial zoning district and a considerable distance from public streets. The applicant’s representative, Laura Rogers, clarified that existing rooftop antennas on their customer service building would be removed once the proposed tower and antennas were constructed and operational. During discussion she presented additional information, which included the following:  Tower antennas work better than rooftop antennas, and also the tower can accommodate future needs for co-location of cell phone antennas.  They cannot totally rely on the fiber-optic communication for their 24/7 operations.  This location is critical for mobile communication with their trucks. Also, the proposed tower height and antenna diameter are nonnegotiable due to the low elevation of the property.  The proposed improvements will contribute to future smart-grid operations.  The proposed antenna dishes are too big for a stealth design, such as a fake palm tree. The dish is constructed like a drum with a white vinyl-canvas cover. The applicant will ask the supplier about different color options.  The proposed accessory building to store communication equipment is a pre-fabricated structure with no windows, and although air-conditioned, the building is not intended for an office or any other purposes.  The accessory building will be painted off-white to match the existing engineering building, with no logo or name displayed.  There is an abandoned communication tower called GST tower in the southeast corner of the property, which is supposed to have already been removed. The applicant will make sure this happens without delay. It was moved by Commissioner Andreae that a recommendation for approval of the proposed project be sent to the Planning Director, with suggestions that the applicant make their best effort to remove the existing rooftop antennas as soon as possible, and that the applicant look into color options for the antenna cover, such as blue-gray, in lieu of the bright white color proposed. Commissioner Kitchens suggested that the motion also include prompt removal of the abandoned GST tower. Commissioner Andreae pointed out that the Commission should be made aware of any such non-operational towers in the Kailua Village Special District (KVSD). She amended her motion to include the following comments: 1)that the proposed facility is to replace the existing antennas and support structures on the roof of the main warehouse/customer service building, and that the applicant will remove these 2