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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-09 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAII MINUTES Meeting Date: November 9, 2021 Time: 5:25 p.m. Location: Online Meeting CALL TO ORDER Commissioners Present: Shaun Roth, Bryant Ching, Michaela Ikeuchi, Riley Smith, Zon Sullenberger, and Arne Werchick Absent and Excused: Jasmine Crusat and Ann Kern Planning Department: Rosalind Newlon (Planner), Terri Napeahi (Planner), Deanne Bugado (Planner), and Noriko Sauer(Commission Secretary) Applicants/Representatives: Bill McCowatt and Mattson Davis (New Business Item 1); and Ali Ghalamfarsa(New Business Item 2) Based on the government proclamations and rules regarding COVID-19, this meeting was held online, with live streaming video for the public to observe the meeting. A quorum was present. Chairman Roth called the meeting to order. He explained the meeting procedure and introduced the Commissioners. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the Meeting of October 26, 2021 Chairman Roth asked if there were any corrections to the minutes. No corrections were made, and the minutes were approved as circulated. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Upon inquiry by Chairman Roth, Ms. Newlon confirmed that the Commission had received no public testimony regarding the items on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS 1. PL-KVD-2021-000004: The applicant, Mr. Bill McCowatt, agent for Manini Holdings, LLC, is proposing several exterior improvements for the Kona Brewery and two adjacent parcels with same ownership, to accommodate boutique manufacturing and to continue the renovation trend. The exterior improvements include wall murals; concrete walkways; outside dining area; tiki torches; new storefront facing courtyard; 1 new building and awning colors; bike racks; new propane tanks; raised courtyard on Pawai Place side; parking lot line adjustment on Kuakini Highway side; and reference to future signs. Applicant: Bill McCowatt Landowner: Lili`uokalani Trust Estate Lessee: Manini Holdings, LLC TMK: (3) 7-4-010:001, 002 and 018 Location: 74-5617, 74-5606, and 74-and 74-5599 Pawai Place, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Ms. Newlon gave a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed exterior improvements. She noted that although the application packet included their signage plan, the applicant did not submit a sign permit application, which would have to go through a different process before it could be referred to the Commission; therefore, that particular item is for the Commission's information only and not for action at this time. She showed a picture of the existing walkway that connects their parking lot and Kuakini Highway through the 50-foot-wide landscape easement along the highway, for which the applicant is requesting after-the-fact approval; she said that this concept had been proposed over ten years ago but received a negative recommendation then from both the Planning Department and the Department of Public Works ("DPW") due to concerns about safety, ADA compliance, and highway traffic. She noted that the current application did not provide any new information to address those concerns. She described the proposed murals and their locations one by one and commented that the applicant appeared to be leading towards making artistic work part of the renovation project. She presented the submittal of six proposed murals that were images of the actual artwork that was being proposed versus the conceptual mural work that had originally been submitted with the application. Commissioner Smith pointed to the list of 13 items on Page 7 of the applicant's submittal and asked for clarification on whether or not those were the specific items that the Commission was being asked to consider at this time. Ms. Newlon reviewed the 13 items with her presentation slides and said that aside from the proposed signs, which would require a separate application to both the Commission and DPW, those listed items were subject to the Commission's action at this time. She noted, however, that the materials submitted by the applicant appeared to be incomplete, for instance, no design information on the tiki torches, bike rack, or propane tank was included. Chairman Roth called upon the applicant for his presentation. Mr. Bill McCowatt clarified in response to Ms. Newton's earlier comment that the tiki torches would be the four-to five-foot- high standard type, and that their locations were shown on the site plan for Lot 14. He stated that the storefront as renovated would look identical to the existing storefront that had been approved by the Commission a year ago. He described the outdoor dining area over the site plans and asked for a retroactive approval of the staircase path; he said that the path had been used heavily for years even as a rocky climbing trail, and that the applicant had put in a safer set of stairs, which from a design standpoint the Commission should find attractive. Regarding the proposed murals, he clarified that the initial submittal had only shown the theme and sample work because the murals had still been in the development phase at that time; however, as shown in the current 2 Kailua Village Design Commission November 9,2021,Meeting Minutes submittal, the artist had completed six specific pieces for this project since then. He described the location of each mural on the site plan. He spoke of a shared parking agreement involving the three subject parcels, which had been signed off by the landowner, Lili`uokalani Trust Estates, who is in support of what is being proposed in this application, he said. He also presented additional information on the structure and landscape improvements over the plans, including clarification of the rusty orange umbrella color as shown and the propane tanks being the typical 250- or 500-gallon horizontal type. He emphasized that Manini Holdings, LLC ("Manini") is creating a vibrant livable neighborhood that is much different from the rundown industrial ambience. Mr. Mattson Davis from Manini also provided additional information. In regards to the murals, he first clarified that the structure that is the location for the No. 5 mural is not a coffee kiosk but a restroom supporting the restaurants. He said that they had been working on those murals for nine months with Kumu Ching and six different artists from around the state, with Hawaiian culture in mind. He further said that each mural would have a QR code, by scanning which people could watch a video of the mural being made, as well as a story about the artist. He noted that he had started this Kona Brewery project in 2004, and that providing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters for 70 percent of Pawai Place as a contribution to the community would mean to him completion of the project. Chairman Roth opened the floor for questions and comments. Commissioner Smith expressed his support for the work that Manini has been doing by investing in a challenging location. He applauded Mr. Davis's effort to improve the district, especially in addressing both vehicular parking and pedestrian friendliness. He concluded his comment by saying that he was in favor of approving everything that the Commission was to vote on at this meeting. Chairman Roth also commended Manini for making the area pedestrian friendly, which is a great direction for the district to be going. He recalled Manini's prior proposal to plant street trees on Pawai Place from years before, which was prevented from happening by county regulations. He opined that the Commission needs to help the applicant to overcome things as such when they are trying to do the right thing, for instance the proposed staircase; he had seen people climbing down the rocks, which was dangerous, and it does not make sense to not provide a safe staircase there. He said that the Commission could not approve their proposed signs at this time, but that he was also in favor of approving everything else, including the three other murals that were not specifically presented today, since the trend was clear enough to him. He added that the project is going to be a great benefit to the community. Commissioner Werchick also expressed his support and applauded Manini's effort to use locally relevant art, which would make the Kona Brewery a particularly attractive place in the community and which the community needs more of. It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Werchick that the Commission approve the requests No. 1 through No.12 as presented in the application packet, with the understanding that the applicant will resubmit the request No. 13 as a sign permit application. Commissioner Sullenberger commented that he was also in favor of the project. There being no further discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with five ayes (Smith, Werchick, Ching, Ikeuchi, and Sullenberger), no noes, and two absent and excused (Crusat and Kern). 3 Kailua Village Design Commission November 9,2021,Meeting Minutes 2. PL-KVD-2021-000006: The applicant, Mr. Ali Ghalamfarsa, architect for Kona Opportunity Properties LLC, is proposing several exterior improvements for a residential multi-family 16-unit apartment building,located on Alahou Street in the Lono Kona Subdivision, built in 1972. The proposed exterior improvements include new standing seam metal roof; replace doors and windows; replace staircase and railings; and new landscaping. (The application includes proposed interior improvements, such as remodel kitchens and bathrooms, add washer/dryer to each unit, and new electrical and plumbing,which are not covered by the Commission review.) Applicant: Ali Ghalamfarsa Landowner: Kona Opportunity Properties LLC TMK: (3) 7-5-022:060 Location: 75-5730 Alahou Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Ms. Napeahi gave a PowerPoint presentation on the design review application. She described the property location and said that according to the applicant the existing building is in need of great care and improvements. She explained each improvement proposed in this application. She noted that the new roof design meets the guidelines of the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona, and that all the colors selected for the project are similar to the recommended Benjamin Moore Historical Collection colors. Chairman Roth called upon the applicant. Mr. Ali Ghalamfarsa stated that the improvements to the 1972 building are designed for better safety, appearance, and energy efficiency in mind. He said that two more parking stalls were added by rearranging the existing parking, and that he was of the opinion that the two large trees right in front of the apartment building should remain and not be sacrificed to gain more parking, as they are a beautiful feature of the property. He noted that addition of a barbecue area and several bike stalls would also be part of the improvements, which would be conducive to the current lifestyle in the village. Upon inquiry by Chairman Roth, Mr. Ghalamfarsa clarified that the basement is for storage purposes, and that adding more parking there would not be possible due to the topography. Acknowledging the extent and quality of the proposed work, Commissioner Smith inquired about the cost estimate in light of the increase in construction cost and questioned the likelihood of the project being completed. Mr. Ghalamfarsa responded that in his capacity as architect he was not sure of the total cost estimate, but that he was sure that the cost would be much higher than the owner initially estimated, as they had begun the project planning prior to the recent price increase for building materials. He further said that his understanding was that the owner has other properties in areas like San Diego, and that they determined it was a feasible project to do something of quality to this property. Chairman Roth expressed his approval of the proposal, including the materials, addition of the parking stalls, and improved accessibility to the storage. He acknowledged Commissioner Smith's concern about the possibility of the project not being carried out due to the cost increase and said that he appreciated however the owner's desire and intention to make long-term investment in this property, which would be a benefit to the Kailua Village. 4 Kailua Village Design Commission November 9,2021,Meeting Minutes It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Sullenberger that the Commission approve the application as provided. Commissioner Sullenberger also expressed his support for the project and said that it would especially benefit the particular part of the town. There being no further discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with five ayes (Smith, Sullenberger, Ching, Ikeuchi, and Werchick), no noes, and two absent and excused (Crusat and Kern). ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS A tentative meeting schedule for the next calendar year had been sent to the Commission earlier, which was accepted as is. ANNOUNCEMENTS Next meeting tentatively scheduled for November 23, 2021. Ms. Newlon announced that the meeting was cancelled as there were no applications to be placed on the agenda. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Roth adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Noriko Sauer, Secretary ATTEST: Shaun Roth, Chairman Kailua Village Design Commission 5 Kailua Village Design Commission November 9,2021,Meeting Minutes