2017-12-05 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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Commissioner Roth suggested that since many of the Commissioners were not present at the last meeting when this topic of updating the Master Plan was discussed, we should clarify what prompted this agenda item. Commissioner Crusat stated that she brought this subject to the floor because the last Master Plan of Kailua-Kona was dated 1994 and maybe outdated and that an update may need to be considered. Mr. Childs stated that there are no plans to update the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona at this time. What is in the intention of the County is to consider a redevelopment plan for Kailua Village as was called for in the 2008 Kona Community Development Plan (CDP). This redevelopment plan is to address the need for redevelopment of Kailua Kona and its surrounding neighborhoods. This is an area larger than its historic village core. Mr. Childs shared that at the request of the Kona CPD Action Committee, about 4 years ago, funds in the amount of $150,000 were appropriated, but not allocated, in the County of Hawaii budget to fund the Kailua Village Redevelopment Plan. In 2017, this $150,000 was re- appropriated for an additional 3 years. This amount is probably not enough to do a master plan, but it is a start. As a comparison, the cost for the Pahoa Master Plan has an estimated $350,000 or higher budget. The timing for a redevelopment plan for Kailua-Kona will be several years from now. When funding is approved for this, the department will encourage that signage and architectural design be components for this redevelopment plan. Included in the redevelopment plan is a circulation plan for both public and private transportation as well as the need for parking. Mr. Childs said that Pahoa has been actively involved for 9 years and is more organized and vocal that Kailua-Kona. This is why the funds seem to be more realistic. Commissioner Crusat, the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona is mostly about pedestrian travel and when she walks on Alii Highway, she feels that the pedestrian is unsafe due to lack of space for both vehicles and persons. Commissioner Dahlberg stated that no room exists for expansion within the existing ROW of Alii Drive. Commissioner Hetherington stated that many discussions have taken place in the past on how to make Alii Highway safe, including bicycle trails, one way traffic and dealing with the sea walls. Commissioner Hetherington proposed that the Business District could propose improvements and KVDC may support the BID proposals. In his opinion the community needs to organize and push the County for action and he sees the need form a team to work with the Business Community toward a common goal(s). Mr. Childs reported that a sub-committee of the KCDP has reported that the Kailua Kona Business Improvement District wants to look into doing something with focus being developing or changing the use of Hale Halawai and perhaps the KVDC could work together to start the process of awakening a redevelopment plan. Commissioner Roth stated his concern that the KVDC should stay with our mission and not expand beyond the mission into the Master Planning process. Commissioner Roth also stated that KVDC should stay focused on what the Commission’s mission is and focus on Master Plans and not what other groups are involved with. We can personally support these functions and activities, but the members of the KVDC should stay focused on our assigned tasks. Commissioner Roth indicated that in his opinion there were no items in the existing Master Plan for Kailua-Kona that need to be updated. Just because it is old, it does not mean it does not work. 3