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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-23 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAIÒI MINUTES MEETING DATE: June 23, 2009 TIME: 5:00 p.m. PLACE: The MayorÓs Office Conference Room, Suite 103 Hanama Place Office Building in Kailua Village ROLL CALL 1.Members Present: Cindy Coats, Paul Bleck, Fritz Harris-Glade, Ann Kern, Sally Marone, Gregory Ogin and David Ross, Jr. 2.Absent and Excused: Fanny Au Hoy and Stephen Herbert 3.Applicants: Edward Rapoza and Danette Mettler 4.Office of the Corporation Counsel: Amy Self 5.Planning Department: Bennett Mark, Rosalind Newlon and Noriko Sauer 6.Public: Marni Herkes Chair Coats welcomed those in attendance, and the Commissioners introduced themselves. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS 1.Design review of a sign permit application for Walua Professional Center. Applicant: Jeremy T. Neill of Neill Sign and Design. Landowner: Edward Rap Professional Center. TMK: 7-5-018:094. Located at Walua Professional Center, 75- 5905 Walua Road, Kailua-Kona, HI, northwest of the junction of Walua Road and Lunapule Road. Staff Presentation Ms. Newlon oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map, and described the proposed sign to be placed on an existing rock wall. She said that four colors, including white for the letters, are used in the sign while the guidelines recommend no more than three colors; however, she pointed out that the sign appears to blend well with the colors of the building. She said that the 1 Department of Public Works finds the sign in compliance with the Sign Code, and that it also appears to meet the guidelines of the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona. Applicant Presentation The applicant was not available. Edward Rapoza of Walua Professional Center, the landowner, was present. He stated that the proposed sign is just to identify the address and the building, which was requested by some of the tenants so people can find their businesses. Discussion Commissioner Harris-Glade asked whether the letter size of the street address meets the minimum requirement set by the Fire Department. Mr. Rapoza resp happy to receive the comment and will make sure it meets the req Commissioner Bleck inquired about a banner sign for a dentist above the proposed sign, which seems to have been displayed over allowable 30 days. Mr. Rapoza responded that it will be taken down. Action It was moved by Commissioner Harris-Glade, and seconded by Commissioner Marone, to recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the sign application as submitted, with the following recommendation: The applicant has the option to increase the height of the numbe needed, to meet the minimum Fire Department standards {maximum height is 9 inches per Section 3-58 (c) of the Sign Code}. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with five ayes Bleck, Kern and Ogin) and two absent and excused (Au Hoy and Herbert). Commissioner Ross recused himself, and was excused by the Chair, for a potential conflict of interest. 2.Design review of a proposed 50-foot high monopalm, a telecommunications tower with four 8-foot high panel antennas to be attached near the top, for a total height of 54 feet. Applicant: Teresa Beard, Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless. Landowner: Kealaokamalamalama Church. TMK: 7-5-008:020. Located at 75-5785 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI, between Huallai Road and Kuakini Highway, with access off Huallai Road. Staff Presentation Ms. Newlon oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map, and described the proposed telecommunication tower and antennas, which is designed to be disguised as a palm tree. She noted that although the proposed use is permitted in the zoning district of the subject parcel, which is Resort- Hotel-1.25, the Planning Department will not approve the project in the event that the 2 Department of Land and Natural Resources determines that the cemetery o parcel would adversely be affected and no mitigation would be possible. She mentioned that there is an existing monopalm approximately 150 feet away from this proposed site; however, according to the applicant the available mounting height on that tower is too low to achieve the necessary coverage. She added that the applicant also considered other locations and rooftops in the area including the Huallai Medical Center and Kona AliÒi Condominiums, but selected the proposed location from the standpoint of cost and interference of signals. Applicant Presentation The applicant was not available. The applicantÓs representative, Danette Mettler, was present. She stated that the archaeological firm hired by the applicant did not identify any issues related to the existing cemetery in their review of the project, and that although they havenÓt received a clearance from the State, they have received a letter from the Historic HawaiÒi Foundation indicating that the Foundation has no issues with the project. She also stated that the applicant has entered into a contract with the landowner for a license for this project area. In response to the CommissionersÓ questions, Ms. Mettler made the following statements: She thinks, though she is not certain, that a Fiberglas-type material is used for the artificial palm fronds, An example photo included in the application showing the antennas well hidden in the cluster of fronds better depicts the monopalm than the elevations sheet showing the antennas protruding from the cluster of fronds. There will be no blinking light on top since the subject site is far enough from the airport and the tower is less than 200 feet in height. The applicant is waiting for an archaeological report to submit Preservation Division, though she is not sure of the extent of the study. The applicant already has a site in the Old Industrial Area, as well as in Lunapule Plaza, and is proposing another site on top of Borders Bookstore, which will be brought to the Commission in the future. New technology such as PCS requires weaker power but more equipment and sites than cellular phone services do where the towers can be 20 miles apart from one another with stronger power. Options for the new site were limited, as it had to be positioned in such a way that it wouldnÓt interfere with the existing sites In order to reach its coverage objective the tower cannot have a tree or a structure in front of it, which would obstruct the signals. The cemetery on the subject parcel is not an ancient Hawaiian ce It is difficult to create a master plan of the network system since technology changes and there is high turnover among radio frequency engineers who would be the one to create such a plan. With the two existing sites, this proposed site and another site Kailua-Kona district should be well serviced for a very long time. 3 The applicant didnÓt see a need to put in a fence nicer than a chain-link type to enclose the area because there is already an existing chain-link fence surrounding the entire property; however, that can be changed at the CommissionÓs request. There is no room for landscaping or real palm trees without taking away the already insufficient church parking. Although the applicantÓs preference is to go on the rooftop, that is very costly since the equipment has to be brought up by a helicopter. In addition the roof of the Huallai Medical Center is not strong enough for that purpose, so the entire roof would have to be torn down according to a structural engineer hired by the applicant. Public Testimony Marni Herkes, a Kona resident, stated that there is a way to put cell towers on buildings, which is the only way to reduce the number of freestanding towers, and that there should be willing building owners since they can collect rent. She said that a cell tower grove is not a possibility since they cannot all be in the same place. She concluded her testimony by saying that she would encourage the Commission and the Planning Department to consider different questions to ask because this is too big of an industry to be ignored and there will be more applications in the future. Discussion Commissioner Ross commented that in anticipation of more of similar applications the Commission/Planning Department should work with carriers sooner than later to figure out how to achieve both goals Î maximize the coverage and minimize the visual impact. Commissioner Bleck inquired of the other Commissioners whether they have noticed the existing monopalm, since he didnÓt know it was there. Chair Coats who was one of the Commissioners who had noticed the monopalm, commented that the fake palm is ironically more obvious since it stands by itself, and shared her sighting in California where a monopalm was well camouflaged with real palms. Commissioner Harris-Glade at this time made a motion to send an unfavorable recommendation to the Planning Director based on the finding that the proposed project does not appear to be consistent with the aesthetics of the Village; he further directed the applicant to seek a more appropriate site. The motion failed with no second. Commissioners agreed that the Planning Department needs to consider an overall plan in the area of telecommunication towers and antennas. Commissioner Ross suggested that the Planning Director send a letter to the main carriers, asking for their input for this effort. Ms. Mettler offered a suggestion, saying that the Planning Department could get developers to incorporate the telecommunication facilities into their plans when they come in for a new subdivision or development, just as they have to address utility services such as water, electricity and telephone. Commissioner Harris-Glade mentioned that the Kailua Village Business Improvement District has a plan to put in gateway structures that are relatively tall and square at major intersections in the Kailua Village, in which antennas could be hidden. Ms. Mettler added that there is a Fiberglas-like material 4 that can be shaped into anything, and with that antennas can be disguised as a design feature like a boulder or a rock wall. Action It was moved by Commissioner Marone, and seconded by Commissioner Ogin, to recommend to the Planning Director the approval of the proposed project as submitted, with the following recommendation: Add as many palm fronds as possible onto the monopalm to mask th the antennas. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with five ayes (Marone, Ogin, Bleck, Kern and Ross), one no (Harris-Glade) and two absent and excused (Au Hoy and Herbert). Commissioner Ross at this time requested the Chair to put on the next meeting agenda a discussion on how telecommunication facilities should be planned for the Kailua Village Special District, so the Commission can make recommendations to 3.Report by Deputy Corporation Counsel, Amy Self, regarding a meeting with Debbie Baker from the Kailua Village Business Improvement District (KVB Planning Director, Margaret Masunaga, to discuss Kailua Village Design Guidelines. th Ms. Self reported that she and Ms. Masunaga had a meeting with Ms. Baker on May 28. She said that Ms. Baker was taken aback by the CommissionÓs concern since her understanding was that the purpose of Commissioner Harris-GladeÓs presence at their meetings was to keep the Commission apprised of their projects. She said that they have hired a consultant and one of their tasks is to update the design plan for the Kailua Village, and that they are willing to work with the County utilizing their funds to do the update. She also said that the KVBID is aware that they have to go through the procedures, including the Commission review, like everyone else, once they are at that point. In response to Chair CoatÓs inquiry about their sign plans for the district, Commissioner Harris-Glade said that they are developing a way-finding sign system directing people to facilities and points of interest; the current scope of work does not include any plans for individual business signs, though the idea has been brought up. Commissioner Ross felt that it is not sufficient for the Commission to review only those applications that are required by the Code, citing this signage program as an example which will not come before the Commission. Commissioner Harris-Glade also expressed his concern over the fact that their consultant has made so much progress without any feedback from the Commission. Ms. Self said that the KVBID and their consultant have everything that the Commission uses as guidelines. Commissioner Harris-Glade mentioned that he has suggested to the consultant that they voluntarily attend a Commission meeting to inform the Commission of their project status. Ms. Self reminded the Commission that such a matter has to be scheduled and agendized in advance. 5 Commissioner Ross reiterated that without being caught by the technicality of the Code the Commission should be able to review their projects early enough so that their input can be incorporated. Commissioner Kern agreed saying that she was concerned about the consultantÓs approach towards historical sites when she had an opportunity to work with him, and that it is important to catch inconsistencies as they come along. Commissioner Ogin opined that the two groups are trying to achieve the same goal, and raised a question as to why there have to be two groups working on the same sign issues within such a small district. Chair Coats pointed out the difference between the purposes of the Commission and the KVBID; the Commission is a volunteer-based advisory body to the Planning Director and the Public Works Director whereas the KVBID is funded through special tax and handles the branding of the downtown area. Ms. Self said that their jurisdictions differ from each otherÓs, and explained that the KVBID was created with specific purposes such as safety, cleaning, landscaping and overall improvement of the district, which they feel are not addressed by the county government; but they do not review the applications that the Commission reviews. Commissioner Marone opined that it is unnecessary for the Commission to take on any more than the rules require. Ms. Self concurred saying what has been suggested could go beyond the duties of the Commission. In response to Commissioner RossÓs question, Ms. Self described that the purpose of the Commission is to make sure that businesses comply with the design that has been set up for the Kailua Village. Mr. Mark responded to Commissioner Harris-GladeÓs inquiry, saying that if they apply for a building permit for a project within the right-of-way, the Planning Department determines whether or not it requires plan approval prior to the building permit; and if it d Commission for its review. Chair Coats concluded the discussion by thanking Ms. Self. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1.Assign members and define scope of sign committee discussed at March 25, 2008, May 12, 2009 and May 26, 2009 meetings. Commissioner Harris-Glade suggested that this matter be postponed indefinitely, as it would be premature to go forward with this committee based on th respect to the KVBID, as well as a need to update the Sign Code. Ms. Newlon informed the Commissioners that the Department of Public Works is in process of amending the Sign Code and is seeking comments. Chair Coats agreed with Commissioner Harris- Glade on the postponement, and stated that a discussion on Sign Code revisions will be agendized for the next meeting. Commissioners asked about the Code amendment procedure, and requested the staff to provide the information at that meeting. Commissioner Ogin commented that it would make sense for stakeholders such as sign makers to be involved in the process. 6 2.Discussion of future KVDC meeting dates/times Ms. Newlon explained that in an effort to cut expenses, the administration has requested to reschedule evening meetings to normal business hours where it is possible; however, she added that the staff realizes some Commissioners would have difficulty in attending day-time meetings. Mr. Mark requested the Commissioners to consider the possibility in the future. 3.Discussion of KVDC rule amendment if meeting dates/times are cha This discussion was unnecessary since the meeting day and time w 4.Minutes of the Meetings of May 12, 2009 and May 26, 2009 It was moved by Commissioner Marone and seconded by Commissioner Kern that the minutes of the May 12, 2009 meeting be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. It was then moved by Commissioner Kern and seconded by Commissioner Ogin that the minutes of the May 26, 2009 meeting be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Coats announced that a letter has been sent to the Mayor regarding expedition of approval of new commissioners. Copies of the letter were distributed to ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 6:40 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Harris-Glade and seconded by Commissioner Ogin 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 7