2019-03-05 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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Commissioner Crusat commented that approving larger signs and quantities of signs would change the atmosphere in Kona the way that did not go with the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona. She asked why signs within the code allowances would not be adequate for the buildings that were built in accordance with the code. Mr. Vierra responded that the main ground sign at the corner of Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Henry Street was most important for the project in order to get the best exposure to the traffic, and that the second ground sign was a desire of the tenant wishing for gasoline pricing display along Henry Street. Ms. Schatz also responded that the project was very large and complicated with multiple buildings, and that they were trying to balance what was optimal for the community and what was good for the tenants from a business standpoint. She said further that she hoped that the proposed revisions showed that they were trying to dial back. Commissioner Crusat said that her point was also that it was a very large project; people would not miss it even without bigger signs. Ms. Schatz responded that the ground sign on the prominent corner was for the center as a whole to indicate its presence not only to local residents but also to visitors who were new to the area, and that people might drive on past the project without the noticeable sign, as the buildings lay low because of the elevation drop and their vision to preserve the ocean view from the streets instead of building up high. As they began discussion, Chairman Roth suggested that the Commissioners limit their discussions to the way that the applicant had addressed the Commission’s concerns. Commissioner Van Pernis moved that the Commission recommend approval of the application as presented with the following exceptions: 1) No variance be granted for the lettering on the gas station signage and the letter height be limited to nine inches; and 2) the red and white colors shown on Sheet T-2 be limited to Safeway signs and signs of other tenants who use those colors consistently in their brand name. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion for discussion. Commissioner Sullenberger pointed out for clarification that the Commission was agreeable to twelve-inch high letters for the canopy sign to be consistent with Lanihau Center’s variance allowance. Commissioner Van Pernis amended his motion to state twelve inches instead of nine inches. The Commission had the following discussions:  Ground Signs Chairman Roth summarized that as recommended by the Commission, the number of signs was reduced to two and the sign area was reduced to less than 50 square feet with the height of the signage elements less than five feet; however, the sign locations differed from the recommendation. Commissioner Hetherington commented that he was not in favor of the gasoline price being on the main sign GR-ID-1. Ms. Bugado reiterated that the Commission had recommended that the gas station sign with multiple gasoline prices be eliminated, and that the design with one gasoline price had been the choice of the Commission. Commissioner Hetherington noted that according to the Sign Code, signage was not supposed to be a product advertisement. Ms. Bugado said that in her research she had not been able to find any sign variances approved for gas stations in the area; they had been either denied or withdrawn. Commissioner Sullenberger spoke of the signs of nearby gas stations, and concluded that there was no consistency in the number of gasoline prices displayed and the locations of those sign. 7