HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0454.017 1996-1998 1
Alexandra Bernstein
PO Box 2043
Kamuela, HI 96743
808-885-1911
August 17, 1998
• RECEIVED i
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Dote-_---------- ~~l.k/-Yd
County Council
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TO: Dominic Yagong, Chairman
Public Works and Pazks Committee and
Members of the Committee
RE: Proposed Bi11280
Re: Chapter 3, Hawaii County Sign Code
In the interest of a cleazer, more specific bill, I offer the following changes to the
draft sent out August 6. In order for signage to have as little negative impact upon the
environmental esthetic, which is the chief draw for our main industry, and in order to
present a bill with the greatest possible internal consistency, I suggest language changes
and some different limitations on signs.
Section 3-1(b)
Add item (6): "To address the problem of the proliferation of signs in Hawaii
County that detract from the physical beauty of our island."
3-3(a)(4)
Specify what category a sign would be in if it were less than 15 inches from the
wall. If it is 1-14 inches, is it a wall sign?
3-3(a)(9)
Define a window sign. There is a definition for it in the Kailua Village section.
3-4(a)(3)
Do NOT condense the districts into two categories. The complexity of the
ordinance lies with the vaziety of possible signs, not with the vaziety of districts. People
know what district they aze in; that is not complicated. Keep three categories: districts
which are wholly residential, districts which are wholly or partly commercial, and
agricultural districts. By combining them all, you aze merely permitting larger
agricultural signs; you are not recognizing that the very essence of agricultural land is that
is it rural. Rural land should look as un-citified as possible; i.e., few signs as possible.
Tot Presented PwPC-
Ret. nee eur, t S 1996
3
3-13
Add section: Persons constructing signs for others to display must sign off on the
permit application, and adhere to a permit issued by the Building Department.
Add section: The County of Hawaii will notify Island sign companies of this
ordinance in writing, specifically highlighting Section 3-13.
In the yellow pages, there are fewer than 30 sign companies listed. It should not be too
difficult for the County to send them the ordinance, with a summary sheet, advising them
to look for the permit and keep their clients informed. (Outside of the ordinance, it would
be a good idea to notify Island realtors so they they inform potential property buyers.)
3-16(a)
Add section: The name, address, and signature of the person who will construct
the sign.
3-22(8)
After the word "tenants" add: "or other County residents,"
3-23(a)(1)
"peculiarity of a business" is too vague. Can we discuss examples? Most
businesses are a little different. This is a good example of why variances should be
discussed at open forums. If the ordinance stated, for example, that variances would be
addressed on the first Tuesday of even months, then the public would be able to make an
effort to attend and give input.
3-23(a)(2)
After the word "tenants" add: "or other County residents,"
3-35(a)(2)
After the word "alteration" add: "replacement,"
3-39
Add section: Non-compliance with written notice shall be taken into account
when application is made for any other County or State permit (such as liquor license).
Add an abatement schedule, like the one for Kailua Village, so that businesses
have time to change. Suggest the abatement period span five instead of three years, and
the period for signs costing under $500 be extended to a full year. This should ease the
hardship of converting signs. ~`J ,s c~ y iVlSiin
Respectfully submitted, ~