HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWC 042 (D2) 09/10/1985 1984-1988 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: September 10 , 1985
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii
Your Committee on Public Works, to which was referred
- Communication 132 relating to a sign variance request , reports as
follows:
Communication 132 from Architect Ronald H. Nagata is a request for a
sign variance for the roof signs of the Safeway and Longs stores in
the Prince Kuhio Shopping Plaza. The Longs sign has an area of 128
square feet and is 4' x32 ' . The Safeway sign has an area of 120
square feet and is 4 'x30 ' . The applicant, in requesting this
variance , submits that because of the size of the shopping center
and the distance of the buildings from the highway, a 32 square foot
sign, as allowed by ordinance , would appear visually insignificant
and work a hardship upon both Safeway and Longs .
Your Committee on Public Works has received written comments from
both the Departments of Planning (Communication 132.1 ) and Public
Works (Communication 132. 2) . Both departments in their review have
recommended denial of the variance .
Your Committee has received additional testimony from
Mr . Ronald H. Nagata to the effect that the Longs and Safeway signs ,
as originally planned some 5 years ago , were within the legal limits
of the County Code . Because of construction cost escalations over
the years , certain cost cutting modifications were made to the
construction plans for Longs and Safeway. Among these modifications
was the removal of a roof canopy and wall which provided support to
the Safeway and Longs signs . These signs, which have not changed in
size or location are now being supported with a frame on the roof .
Because of this change, these signs are now considered roof signs
and do not conform to the code .
The Committee has also reviewed and considered public statements and
communications on this variance request which were received by the
full Council on August 21, 1985 and referred to this Committee as
Communication 287 .
Your Committee has requested and received testimony from the
Corporation Counsel clarifying that the Council may grant a variance
to the sign ordinance when the Council finds that hardship exists
and when the granting of a variance would not be contrary to the
spirit and purpose of the sign ordinance .
PWC REPORT 0 , 42 (D2)
ADOPTED : OCT 2 1985
Your Committee on Public Works remains divided on the issuance of a
variance to Longs and Safeway. The majority of its members are
sensitive to:
1 . The applicant 's initial construction plans which proposed
moderately sized wall signs
2 . The applicant 's revision of the project, because of economics ,
which caused these same Longs and Safeway signs to be defined as
roof signs .
3 . The desire of the applicants to each erect similar type signs
for harmony, aesthetics , and design consistency.
4. An appreciation that a 32 sq. foot roof sign would not be
adequate and such a 32 square foot sign would appear out of
proportion.
5 . The buildings ' location approximately 1200 feet from the major
thoroughfare Kanoelehua Avenue .
6 . The very remote prospect of Puainako becoming a major
thoroughfare to the airport within the next decade or two .
7 . The applicants need to adequately identify and establish
themselves at the shopping center complex and contribute to a
positive business interrelationships for the plaza and the County of
Hawaii .
Your Committee on Public Works, with a vote of three ayes and two
noes , finds sufficient hardship on behalf of applicants and
recommends that the Council approve the sign variance for Safeway
and Longs .
Aroi
MERL' K. LAI, C.TORP770MAN
� � LL
RUSSELL KOKUBUN, VICE CHAIRMAN FRANK DE LUZ, III, MEMBER
440-Ofle-
ft.TAKASHI DOMINGO, MEM ROBERT HERKES, MEMBER
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