Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-12 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES MEETING DATE: January 12, 2010 TIME: 5:05 p.m. PLACE:Mayor’s Conference Room aka Hanama 1 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 ROLL CALL 1.Members Present: Cindy Coats, Fanny Au Hoy, Paul Bleck, Stephen Herbert, Ann Kern, Gregory Ogin, David Ross, Jr. and Riley Saito 2.Absent and Excused: Fritz Harris-Glade 3.Department of Public Works: Chris Domino 4.Planning Department: Margaret Masunaga, Bennett Mark, Rosalind Newlon and Noriko Sauer 5.Public: Bradley Westervelt Chair Coats welcomed those in attendance, and the Commissioners introduced themselves. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Westervelt introduced himself as an aid to Councilmember Guy Enriques, and said that the reason for his attendance is because he is working on amendments to the County Code Chapter 3, Sign Code. NEW BUSINESS 1.Possible changes to the Sign Code within the Kailua Village Special District. Presentation and Discussion with the Department of Public Works, Building Division. Chris Domino from the Department of Public Works, Building Division, distributed some material for discussion, and summarized major points of proposal based on a meeting with a community group, which included the following: 1) Increase the maximum allowable height of lettering from nine inches to 18 inches and that of logo or symbol from nine inches to the square root of the maximum allowable size of the sign; 2) require the sign maker to be licensed by the State for a job over $1,000; and 3) allow sandwich boards on private property as long as they meet wind-resistance and other requirements. He clarified that this height amendment was pertaining to the Kailua Village Special District except for the Kailua Industrial Subdivision. 1 Commissioner Ogin expressed his concern that the proposal did not quite reflect the group’s wishes, referring particularly to the allowable letter height. Ms. Newlon opined that the 18-inch letter height is quite large considering the fact that the Kailua Village is a pedestrian-oriented area, and noted that the Kona Community Development Plan designates the area as such. She then pointed out that the Design Factors and Resulting Basic Design Elements chart in the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona indicates that a 17-inch letter height is sufficient for traffic moving at 60 mph on a four-lane highway, which is similar to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway. Commissioner Ogin disagreed, from his experience as property manager, that the Kailua Village is a pedestrian-oriented community. Mr. Domino and Ms. Newlon referred back to the chart, noting that the appropriate letter size for traffic moving at 30 mph on a two-lane roadway, such as Ali‘i Drive, is seven inches. Chair Coats, who owns a business on Ali‘i Drive, said that the eight-inch letters on her sign are large enough for the street front location, and that the proposed 18 inches is higher than what is allowed in other communities she researched. Commissioners Ross and Saito suggested some changes to the proposed wording to clarify the intent; the proposed Section 3-58 (c) should read as follows: Maximum height of any logo or symbol, including free-standing letters shall be limited to the square root of the area of the maximum allowable size of the sign, but in any case, no lettering shall be larger than eighteen inches in height. In response to Commissioner Ogin’s inquiry, Mr. Domino said that the enforcement issue, namely a County Council resolution that restricts enforcement to County properties only, will be addressed when this sign ordinance has been adopted. Commissioner Ogin mentioned that the biggest concern the same group expressed at the meeting was the present unfair situation where people who abide by the rules go through the permit process including the Commission review while existing illegal signs are left alone. Commissioner Au Hoy said that enforcement is necessary to make the code and guidelines effective, and to clean up the Kailua Village such that it looks the way a unique fishing village should look. Ms. Masunaga shared with the Commission her earlier discussion with Councilmember Brenda Ford, saying that directory signs should be large enough so that motorists can identify businesses as they drive, and that more community outreach should be done on a current law that requires a street address sign for emergency response purposes. She also complimented the Commission on their efforts to improve the appearance of the district. Chair Coats said that she hopes the adoption of a revised Sign Code will facilitate replacement of illegal banners, temporary signs, and the like, with approved signs. Commissioner Kern added that once standards are established by the ordinance, that will also create a sense of consistency and fairness. Mr. Westervelt mentioned that, compared to other counties such as Maui and Kaua‘i, the County of Hawai‘i has a very complicated Sign Code, with some confusing sections. 2 It was confirmed with Mr. Domino that he will have another discussion with the Commission once the final draft has been completed. Commissioner Ogin reiterated his opinion that the government needs more community members, such as sign makers and business tenants, to get involved in this process so as not to limit their creativity in designing signs. 2.Implementing the Architectural Design Guidelines in the “Master Plan for Kailua-Kona” within the Kailua Village Special District. The Chair suggested that this agenda item be postponed to a future meeting due to the absence of Commissioner Harris-Glade who requested this discussion. There were no objections. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1.Election of Vice Chair. It was brought to the Commission’s attention that Commissioner Harris-Glade who was nominated for vice chair at the last meeting, officially completed his term on December 31, 2009, and that, although he is to continue his service until his replacement has been appointed, it is advised that the Commission elect someone whose term still remains. The Chair nominated Commissioner Bleck to be vice chair. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Ogin and unanimously affirmed by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. Commissioner Bleck accepted the nomination. 2.Approval of Minutes of the Meetings of November 24, 2009 and December 8, 2009. It was moved by Commissioner Ogin and seconded by Commissioner Kern that the minutes of both November 24, 2009 and December 8, 2009 meetings be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Chair announced that the Commission will implement a procedure effective immediately where all Commissioners are to inform the staff of their availability for an upcoming meeting in one week advance, which will allow the staff to determine whether or not there is a quorum in time to notify the applicants and the public. Mr. Mark informed the Commission that Corporation Counsel has sent a memorandum to the Mayor for his consideration, with the names of 19 candidates specifically for this Commission. 3 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 6:12 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Kern and seconded by Commissioner Ross that the meeting be adjourned. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. Respectfully submitted, Noriko Sauer, Secretary A T T E S T: Cindy Coats, Chair Kailua Village Design Commission 4