2013-11-19 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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In response to Commissioner Andreae’s questions, Mr. Childs clarified the exact site within the shopping center, and said that the construction work that was being performed there did not trigger the requirement for a plan approval and hence no review by the Commission. Neither the applicant nor his representative was present. There was no one from the public wishing to testify in regard to this agenda item. It was moved by Commissioner Kitchens, and seconded by Commissioner Stanbro, to send to the Public Works Director a recommendation for approval of the sign permit application as submitted. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with five ayes (Kitchens, Stanbro, Andreae, Au Hoy and Burns) and three absent and excused (Akina, Bleck and Broderson). 2. Design review of a sign permit application for one proposed wall sign, one proposed marquee sign, one ground sign and one directory sign for Hawaii Radiologic Associates, Ltd. and The Queens Health Care Center Specialty Clinic. Applicant: Hawaii Radiologic Associates LTD Corporation. Land Owner: Hawaii Radiologic Associates LTD Corporation. TMK: 7-5-004:012. Located at the southeast corner of Kuakini Highway and Ololi Road (former Kona Ranch House Restaurant). Mr. Childs informed the Commission that the applicant had since eliminated the ground sign on Ololi Road from their application, and revised the content and lettering of the directory sign for the corner of Kuakini Highway and Ololi Road. He described the three proposed signs, and said that they all complied with the size limitations of the Sign Code, and that the materials also complied with the design guidelines of the Sign Code and the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona. He urged the Commission, however, that consideration be given to the fact that the directory sign would likely be unreadable to motorists due to the small lettering size. Commissioner Burns opined that the sign area limitation in the Sign Code was not fair for businesses with a long name, such as this applicant, who were forced to reduce the letter size in order to comply with the code. She noted that the Commission could make an effectual recommendation to the Public Works Director to allow a larger sign through a variance to accommodate a legible lettering size, had such variances been issued administratively as opposed to the current procedure where the County Council renders its decision at public hearings. She also pointed out that an unidentifiable sign could actually become a traffic hazard. The Commissioners discussed how to improve the legibility of the directory sign. Their suggestions included abbreviating the name on the sign and/or applying for a variance to enlarge the sign area so that the lettering could be at least nine-inch high, which is the maximum allowable height for the Kailua Village special design district. The applicant’s representatives, Matthew Kilgore and Clem Kanhai, spoke of the timing issue, as the applicant was wishing to go forward with the business operations, and requested that the Commission grant a favorable recommendation for the signs as proposed at this time since they met all the code and guideline requirements. It was moved by Commissioner Andreae to send to the Public Works Director a recommendation for approval of the sign permit application as submitted. Commissioner Burns reiterated her concern about traffic safety, and suggested that a recommendation for a larger font be included. 2