2016-06-07 KVDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Dunlap familiarized the Commissioners with the location of the subject property on maps. He displayed some photographs of the site and surrounding area, and pointed out the unsightly existing condition with a lot of debris and graffiti on a building wall. He concluded his presentation by saying that he was excited about this application, which was the first phase of a larger plan to renovate the area on Pawai Place. Mr. Mattson Davis introduced himself as a managing partner of Manini Holdings, formerly President and CEO of Kona Brewing Company, which is a tenant of Manini Holdings. He presented additional background information regarding the subject property, Kona Brewing Company’s successful business, and a planned state-of-the-art brewery. He said that their proposal was to maximize the zoning entitlement for the property, first focusing on providing ample parking to support the Kona Brewing Company restaurant and future tenants, which would mostly be food and beverage businesses, and bring the area to life. Mr. Michael Riehm representing the applicant described the proposal in more detail by going over their drawings. He introduced the master project as “Brew,” and said that the basic concept was redevelopment of the area to create a people place, with more pedestrian-oriented sidewalks, trees, sitting places and outdoor dining areas. He said that the owner \[lessee, Manini Holdings\] had three lots, of which this application covered one as the first phase, and that the Planning Department allowed the proposed parking lot to serve all those three parcels. He explained that the different colors on the site plan signified their plan to use different color pavement to give an identity to each section. With respect to the proposed renovation of two existing buildings, he said that the buildings would be developed as shells, preserving the concrete base but upgrading the rest, for tenants to come in and finish the interior. He also said it was important to maintain the industrial look rather than transform it to a commercial look. He concluded by saying that this phase would set the theme for the other two lots. In response to questions from the Commissioners, further information provided by Messrs. Davis and Riehm included: (1) that they had no plan to take down the overhead electric lines, (2) that the selection of street trees had not been made, although Hong Kong Orchid was a possibility, (3) that they were in the process of drafting a parking agreement, and (4) that the roll-up garage doors were made of glass panels for visibility. Chair Dahlberg allowed questions from the audience. Mr. Van Pernis, introducing himself as a nominee to the Commission, asked if the applicant was committed to the multi-color paving and landscaping for the parking lot as depicted on the drawing. Messrs. Riehm and Davis responded that they could not commit themselves to it at this moment since the project depended on their budget, but that this proposal was their desire. Commissioner Roth commended the applicant for incorporating the street improvements in their plan, which made the project complete. He added that streets were often abandoned by projects. Mr. Riehm commented that while the benefit of having street trees was undisputed, the County street standards did not allow any trees due to lack of maintenance funds and apparatus, which was a challenge to them as the Kona Community Development Plan actually called for street trees. Mr. Mark confirmed that the Kona Community Development Plan and the Planning Department were both supportive of having street trees. He talked about the Smart Growth concept, which was 2