2014-11-18 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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The applicant’s representative, Lauren Avery, introduced herself as Director of Development and Marketing. In response to Commissioner Andreae’s question as to whether a directory sign might be a better option in consideration of other businesses in the same building, Ms. Avery said that there was already a directory sign on the property, but that it seemed to be inadequate, as people were having difficulty in finding the applicant. She also mentioned that the applicant was considering purchasing the property. The Commissioners offered their opinions and suggestions, which included the following:  The property is located at one of the prominent intersections in the Kailua Village, and has been known by local residents as Territorial Center for a long time; people should be able to find the applicant without this type of signage that would take away the ambiance of the area.  Supporting this application might encourage other businesses to come up with similar signs, which would be against the Commission’s endeavor.  The proposed sign looks like a temporary real estate sign; the design needs to be improved aesthetically with a more permanent look, for example, setting the sign in the existing rock wall or incorporating lava rocks in the design to match the rock wall.  Alternatively, consider mounting a wall sign on either the curved corner wall between the windows of the two stories or on the flat square wall next to the driveway facing Kuakini Highway.  If a sign were to be mounted on a wall, a design feature on the wall itself, such as a band or other types of accents, would draw people’s attention to the sign. In response, Ms. Avery said that after ten years in the building the applicant was still hearing from people looking for them, and so the visibility of signage was important to the applicant. She also said that the property owner was not agreeable to having a sign more or less permanently fixed to the building or to the rock wall at this time. She added that the applicant already had a design for a band sign for the curved wall, but that the property owner would not allow it before the transfer of the title. She said, however, that she was willing to convey the Commissioners’ comments to the applicant’s board at its meeting, which would take place in a few days, and submit a revised proposal in time for the next Commission meeting. Commissioner Hetherington moved to defer action, with understanding that the applicant would consider the Commission’s recommendations and present a revised proposal at the forthcoming meeting. Commissioner Stanbro seconded the motion and there was no discussion on the motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed with six ayes (Hetherington, Stanbro, Andreae, Au Hoy, Dahlberg, and Sullenberger) and two absent and excused (Akina and Broderson). 2. Design review of a proposed 24’ high exterior firewall addition adjoining ABC Store and Lulu’s at Coconut Grove Marketplace. Applicant: Peter J. Piper. Landowner: LSREF OREO (DIRECT), LLC. TMK: 7-5-009:025. Address: 75-5801 Ali‘i Drive. Mr. Childs gave a presentation with the applicant’s plans and site photographs that he had taken recently. He noted that the proposed addition, or alternatively reconstruction, was required under the Fire Code. He said that the siding and the color of the addition were to match the existing structure, and that the impact on the public view would be minimal, as the firewall would be seen only from the adjacent staircase and bridge deck. 2