2019-03-05 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes

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In response to Commissioner Hetherington’s question, Ms. Bugado clarified that aside from GR-ID-1 with one gasoline price, the applicant was submitting two design options for the second ground sign GR-ID-3 as shown on Sheet G-3. Commissioner Hetherington said that considering the traffic and traveling speed on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, he was fine with GR-ID-1; however, he was not in favor of GR-ID-3 with the multiple gasoline prices. Chairman Roth commented that the gasoline price sign was probably one of the most important signs for Safeway, as he suspected that the gas station was the major reason for moving the store site. Commissioner Hetherington, mentioning that the Commission would not want to hurt their business, said that he would vote for Option B. Chairman Roth agreed. Mr. Vierra then presented a modified Option A incorporating lava rock in the design, which he had prepared later based on the meeting minutes. Commissioner Hetherington said that the modified design would be his preference over the first two, which was also the consensus among the other Commissioners. Commissioner Van Pernis amended his motion to include that the Commission recommend the third option, Option A with lava rock, for GR-ID-3.  Anchor Building #4 Chairman Roth summarized that the tower sign was reduced to three and a half feet in diameter while the storefront logo did not appear to meet the recommendation, and that renderings of the correct wooden slats background were provided as requested, as well as the nighttime effect of the perforated black vinyl letters. In response to Chairman Roth’s question, Mr. Vierra said that when he had reduced the storefront Safeway logo and lettering as recommended, it had looked too small, and that from a designer standpoint the proposed size was more proportional to the architecture. He further said that the signs would also be less prominent because of the wooden slats background. Commissioner Smith asked the applicant if requesting a larger logo without the name “Safeway” had ever been a consideration, as people would recognize certain businesses just by their logos and also the applicant would then be less out of compliance. Mr. Vierra replied no, and said that they were following Safeway’s brand guideline book.  Gas Canopy and C-Store Signs Chairman Roth summarized that the canopy sign area was reduced to no longer require a variance, but with the logo height still exceeding the variance allowance for Lanihau Center. Upon inquiry by Chairman Roth, Ms. Bugado confirmed that the variance allowance for the logo was twelve inches. Mr. Vierra explained that just like the Safeway storefront sign, when he had reduced the logo to nine inches high, which he had by mistake thought was the recommended height, it had looked very small relative to the height and size of the canopy structure. He said that twelve inches as recommended, instead of nine inches as he had tried, would help. Commissioner Sullenberger expressed his concern that in looking at the rendering, even the twelve-inch high logo might still 8