Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-21 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI'I (MINUTES) Meeting Date: July 21, 2020 Time: 5:15 pm Place: Live Stream Meeting (Online) CALL TO ORDER Commissioners Present: Shaun Roth, Arne Werchick, John Hetherington, Jasmine Crusat, Michaela Ikeuchi, Zon Sullenberger, Ann Kern, and Bryant Ching, Riley Smith Planning Department: Rosalind Newlon (Planner), Deanne Bugado (Planner), Terri Napeahi (Planner) & Bennett Mark(Planning Program Manager) Applicants/Representatives: Tingley Development Inc. and Inform Design. A quorum was present. Chairman Roth called the meeting to order. Chairman Roth stated that based on the Mayor's proclamation regarding COVID-19, these meetings will be on line until further notice. This is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to also maintain social distancing. Normally commissioners introduce themselves, however since the meeting was online Chairman Roth read the names as they appeared from a list of those present on the Cisco Webex monitor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the meetings of July 7, 2020 Chairman Roth mentioned that minutes were not ready and will be deferred to the next meeting. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Roth asked if there were any Public Testimony to be presented and Rosalind Newlon (Staff) answered none. No statements from the Public. NEW BUSINESS 1. The applicant, Shani Armbruster, or Tinguely Development Inc., is proposing design review for a sign/variance application for two (2) wall signs for a new restaurant, "Kai Eats and Drinks" operated by Scott Dodd,located at Waterfront Row, at the former `Bubba Gump" restaurant location along Ali'i Drive. In addition to design review,both wall signs require the recommendation by the KVDC for approval of a sign variance by the Director of Public Works,because the proposed maximum letter height and area of wall signs exceed the requirements for the Kailua Village Core area, per Hawaii County Code, Chapter 3 Signs Section 3- 58. Landowner: Watumull Property Corp. 1 TMK: (3) 7-5-008:009 Location: 75-5776 Ali'i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Ms. Newlon (Staff) commenced her Power point presentation for the Kai Eats and Drink Sign/Variance. Slides were used to help orient commissioners as to where the subject parcel proposed addition will take place. Slide 2 & 3—Letter of what was submitted. Slide 4, & 5—Sign Variance Application that DPW requires when application proposal exceeds what's allowed by Chapter 3 (Signs), for the area of the two signs and the height of the letters. The application was reviewed by Public Works and imported to KVDC for review. Slide 6—Ms. Newlon reads Sign Variance Request. "Kai Eats & Drinks requests a sign variance for(2)proposed non-illuminated signs at their new Restaurant on Ali'i Drive, which was formally Bubba Gump's. The signs exceed the Kailua Village District sign limits, but they provide the same sign sizes that were on the Bubba Gump's Restaurant and feel that it fits the existing building facade proportionately. In addition, fading of the facade where previous signs were installed for the last 20 years would be unsightly if smaller signs are installed. We do not feel that the granting of this variance will unreasonably violate the interest, safety, convenience or general welfare of the public." Slide 7—Map of Ali'i Drive showing Kai Eats &Drinks Business location. Slide 8 - Facade of Building showing the location of the two signs. Larger sign is 37.1 square feet and the 16.5 square feet. Slide 9 —Sign 41 Description, area size, colors and height of letters. Front View of Large sign, letters are 26, 20.8 and 3.8 inches in height and the sign size 72" (W) and 74.25" (L). Slide 10 —Sign 42 Description, area size, color and height of letters. Front View of small sign, letters are 17, 13.9 and 2.5 inches in height and the sign size 48" (W) and 49.5" (L). Slide 11 —Check list for criteria of required contents of application (Sign code—HCC, Section 3-52) and (Sign Code HCC, Section 3-54). Sign is not illuminated and does not affect the landscaping, it's on the wall. It has a white back ground and a darker blue and lighter blue circle. Slide 12 —Sign permit. (Last slide) Ms. Newlon - ended her presentation and opened for questions. 2 Chairman Roth - asked if Bubba Gump had a sign variance. Ms. Newlon - did not have that information at the time. Chairman Roth - asked Commissioners if they had any questions for staff. None. Chairman Roth - asked if applicant had anything to present. Applicant- did not have anything to present. Chairman Roth - asked if anyone had questions for applicant. Commissioner Hetherington - asked applicant if they were aware if Bubba Gump had any variance for signs. Applicant- said that they haven't seen any sign variances in Bubba Gump's original documents. Commissioner Ching - asked the applicant, when they intend to open. Applicant- answered, by the end of the year December. Commissioner Smith-made a comment that the signage is appropriate, the colors are appropriate it may require a variance because it's larger than it's allowed and will be voting in favor of the variance. Chairman Roth -began the discussion by mentioning that because the signs are matching the old signs, he thought that it made sense to do it. He agreed that putting a new smaller sign would be odd, especially for the large facade and large existing store front. It needs something pretty substantial. Commissioner Ikeuchi- commented that in that particular case, she did not see the value of a variance, because we don't know if there was a variance for Bubba Gump. She does agree that the sign should ideally fit the building and should be astatically pleasing but with that, that could lend itself to constructing bigger buildings &bigger signs. She didn't think the sign is an issue. Commissioner Ching - comments that the reason he asked the question about opening, is that he could see that the sign was appropriate and proportional, but maybe they should cut down a little bit. 3 Commissioner Werchick - commented that he thinks the sign of that size has existed for so long that its already a part of the community, everybody is familiar with a sign that size, requiring them to repaint or to make major adjustments to cover up sun bleached spots would be an undo burden. Whether Bubba Gump applied for the variance or not, it went for so many years without protest and without any enforcement, the community has obviously accepted it, obviously the members of this commission. Chairman Roth - said, "the facade of the building I believe is galvanized and I know it's not painted in any way, if it was in a situation where they could easily repaint it to get rid of the large circle, but this case it would mean changing the color of the whole thing or replacing the metal." Commissioner Crusat - agreed with Riley Smith in approving the sign. She mentions the placement of the building at Bubba Gump's is difficult to see if you are driving on Alii Drive. Crusat agreed and thought that the variance should be approved. Commissioner Smith-wanted to clarify that the sign was non-illuminated. Chairman Roth - answered that the pictures of the facade to the left and the right, is just the building wall and that it was not actually lighting the sign itself. Chairman Roth asked applicant to clarify. Applicant- answered that there was sort of current down light along the building and was not going to do anything with them, and that they don't exactly light the sign, they sort of wash the facade of the building. Commissioner Smith- clarifies his point. "It wasn't that the sign was not back lit, if there were lights on the facade that washed the wall, than that is different than an illuminating sign that has internal lighting. That's why I'm in favor of the sign." Chairman Roth - gave an example of the Planet Fitness. There was a large illuminating sign that was self-illuminated. The difference between this project and Planet Fitness is that the applicants are following the correct process. They are showing good faith in following the rules. Commissioner Werchick - commented that applicant should not be punished if Bubba Gump failed to get a variance. That's not this applicants fault. Commissioner Hetherington - comments, "The one thing I hope we've learned from Planet Fitness, is that it doesn't matter whether a previous owner or tenant had a variance. That does not necessarily apply for the future. I vote in favor." Commissioner Ching - agreed to approve the design. 4 Chairman Roth - asked if there were any further discussion. Commissioner Sullenberger - said, "I voice my support for just the proportionality of it. The building does exist, however if they were coming in with the building itself as a new proposal, than I would be less incline to be in favor of the sign, the existing proportions are appropriate for the facade that exist, so I would be in favor of voting in favor of the variance." Commissioner Werchick - made a motion to approve the design. Commissioner Ching - seconded the motion. Chairman Roth - asked if there were any discussion for the motion. No more discussion. Proceed to voting. Ms. Newlon (Staff) - calls for voting. There were(7) ayes, (Ching, Crusat, Hetherington, Smith, Sullenberger, Werchick, Kern) and (1) nay, (Ikeuchi). Motion passes to approve as submitted. Chairman Roth -the motion is adopted. Chairman Roth introduces the second item on the agenda. Bob Anderson, of Inform Design, is proposing design review for exterior modifications to an existing financial building, including new eave extension and painted fascia board, new roof finish, new siding, new front windows, new storefront entrance and vestibule and wider drive-thru area, along with some modifications to the landscaped areas, at the Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union,located off of Hualalai Road,just east of Kuakini Highway. Landowner: Kona Community Federal Credit Union TMK: (3) 7-5-004:001 Location: 75-159 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 Ms. Newlon (staff) - commenced her presentation for the second applicant, Bob Anderson, of Inform Design. Slides were again used to help orient commissioners as to where the subject parcel proposed addition will take place. Slide 2 Applicant's application for Design Review. Slide 3 Map of Kailua Village Business Improvement District. 5 Slide 4 Tax Map Key Portion of Lanihau I"to Hinealoli I". showing the location of the bank. Slide 5 Existing and Demolition Site Plan showing the existing parking and landscaping. Slide 6 Site Plan showing the existing sign. They didn't show anything about changing the sign. Slide 7 & 8 Aerial view of the Kona Community Federal Credit Union. Slide 9 & 10 Photos showing the building from Hualalai. Slide 11, 12& 13 Photos showing the improvements. New siding, new fascia and cover, new store front windows, new vestibule and wider drive-thru area. New roof finish, more windows. Also showing the colors. Slide 14 show new vestibule. Slide 15 roof design. Slide 16& 17 exterior modifications and color changes. Slide 18 & 19 Overall look of landscape designs. Slide 20 landscape plants using different shade trees. Slide 21 Interior floor plan. End of Slides Chairman Roth - asked if anyone had any questions for Ms. Newlon. Commissioner Smith- asked, "What are they requesting? Are they asking approval on everything that's in design?" Ms. Newlon -It's a design review because they are improving the look of the exterior. Everything that causes change to the exterior goes to KVDC. Commissioner Smith-they are changing the sign. Ms. Newlon -the application is just for exterior design review and does not include the sign permit. Chairman Roth - does anyone else have any questions for Ms. Newlon? 6 Chairman Roth - Does the applicant have anything they would like to present? Bob Anderson - (Applicant) said, "Overall the objective of the project is to modernize the facility, fix water proofing issues and create a better user experience for the members, extensive landscaping, extensive interior and exterior work. This isn't a sign permit application, it's what our intent is, but we will submit that separately. The building is from 1988, so this would be the first major renovations. Really needs it." Chairman Roth - Can you explain what you are doing to improve the lanes? Are you doing anything to make them wider? Bob Anderson - says that currently the lanes are undersized. Larger vehicles like trucks have a hard time navigating. So we are definitely going to widen the lanes. We are going to widen the lane widths and canopy for the drivers below. We are increasing the widths to 9 foot 6." Chairman Roth - asked if anyone had any more questions for Bob. Commissioner Ikeuchi-just wondering since you are widening the drive thru, it seems as if you are removing trees, but will be replacing them with shade trees? Is that correct? Bob Anderson -yes that is correct. Unfortunately we are going to have to take it out. For the widening of the lanes. We have an entirely new Landscaping design and the new tree will match rest of the design. Chairman Roth - asked if there were any more questions for the applicant. Commissioner Hetherington -commented that this was the best presentation he has ever seen at the KVDC. Chairman Roth- continues the discussion and appreciates how well this package was put together and what they are doing with the improvements. Commissioner Ikeuchi- comments that the project is definitely a breath of fresh air, it looks really nice and modern and in favor of the design. Commissioner Smith- comments that he really appreciates the plant pallet and likes the use of Native Plants for the project. Great job! Chairman Roth - asked if there were any more comments. No more comments. 7 Chairman Roth - asked commissioners if anyone would like to make a motion on the project presented. Commissioner Ikeuchi made a motion to approve as submitted. Commissioner Sullenberger - seconded the motion to approve as submitted. Chairman Roth - asked if there were any discussion on the motion. Commissioner Hetherington -mentions that because of the notation on the presentation for the sign change, said if possible amend the motion that everything is approved except the signage. Chairman Roth - asked if Commissioner Ikeuchi was willing to amend her motion. Commissioner Ikeuchi- amended her motion to approve the design as submitted without the sign being included, with the caveat that the sign will be reviewed at a later time. Commissioner Sullenberger - once again seconded the motion. Chairman Roth - asked if there were any more discussion. No more comments. And proceeded to voting. Ms. Newlon (Staff) - confirmed that the motion was made by Commissioner Ikeuchi to approve the design as submitted without the proposed sign change, which would be submitted at a later date. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sullenberger. There were no further discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken by Ms. Newlon (Staff) and motion carried with (8) ayes, (Ching, Crusat, Kern, Hetherington, Ikeuchi, Werchick, Sullenberger, Smith). Chairman Roth confirms that the motion was adopted. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS None ANNOUNCEMENTS None. The next meeting is scheduled on August 4, 2020, with one application. ADJOURNMENT There were no further business, Chairman Roth adjourned the meeting at 5:57 pm. 8 Respectfully submitted, Terri L. Napeahi, Planner IV ATTEST: Shaun Roth, Chairman Kailua Village Design Commission 9