2019-01-08 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

Home

 Gas Station Signage Commissioners Sullenberger said that he was inclined to accept the sign locations, but that the sizes seemed excessive. Commissioners Hetherington and Ikeuchi also expressed their support for the proposed locations of the sings. Commissioner Crusat commented that the code allowance of 22 square feet seemed adequate. During discussion on the allowable number of signs Mr. Vierra clarified that since two of the four signs would face the interior and would not require a sign permit, they were applying for two signs, which was allowable under the Sign Code. Chairman Roth summarized the consensus of the Commission that for both signs the proposed locations were acceptable, but that the sizes should be reduced to comply with the Sign Code.  Typical Tenant Wall ID Signs Commissioner Hetherington expressed his concern that the proposal would allow any color of tenant’s brand. He suggested that there should be a specific color theme or else the tenants should have to come in and get approval from the Commission. Ms. Bugado noted that the Kuakini Shopping Center master plan included more specifics, such as font, color and location for tenant signs, whereas the proposed master plan was simply requiring their tenants to comply with the KVSD guidelines. Commissioner Sullenberger also commented that this proposal seemed to be asking to allow their tenants to put up any signs that were deemed consistent with the KVSD guidelines in their opinion, which would in effect eliminate the developer’s control, as well as the Commission review process; therefore, it would actually be riskier than having no master plan. Commissioner Van Pernis spoke of the Kentucky Fried Chicken project that the Commission had reviewed in the past where the applicant had toned down their brand colors of red and white in order to meet the guidelines; he said that he did not have a problem with the red and white colors for the Safeway signs, but that the other tenant signs should use earthy tones according to the guidelines. Chairman Roth said that the plan as proposed did not specify colors at all, and that the Commission should first consider whether or not colors should be specified as part of the master plan. Commissioner Ching noted that if tenant logos were to be allowed, they would come in various colors. Commissioner Van Pernis commented that his recollection of the existing Safeway signs are red and cream, rather than red and white, along with the apparent color scheme of the entire shopping center. Commissioner Hetherington responded that the cream color might just be a result of the white paint being weathered. Commissioner Sullenberger said that considering the Commission’s past decisions where the uniqueness of tenant signs had also been supported, the question might be whether the Commission wished to have colors specified in the master plan or to have each tenant sign come in for review. Chairman Roth said that the benefit of having a master plan was to allow tenants to bypass the Commission review, if they chose to follow the master plan; otherwise, they would also have the option of submitting their proposed signs for review. Commissioner Crusat commented that the applicant should come up with a sign package for the entire project with the basics, such as colors and sizes, and that there should also be some consideration for the surrounding residents because of the property’s close proximity to the residential neighborhood. Commissioner Ikeuchi expressed her agreement, and said that individuality and creativity was understandable for small businesses, but that she would like to see uniformity for a project of this scale and to be able to review deviations as they come. 7