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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-12 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAIÒI MINUTES MEETING DATE: May 12, 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: Sally Marone, Fanny Au Hoy, Fritz Harris-Glade, Stephen Herbert, Ann Kern, Gregory Ogin and David Ross, Jr. 2.Absent and Excused: Paul Bleck and Cindy Coats 3.Applicants: Craig Shafer, Larry Adams and Mose Teinauri 4.Office of the Corporation Counsel: Amy Self 5.Planning Department: Margaret Masunaga, Rosalind Newlon and Noriko Sauer 6.Public: None Chair Marone welcomed those in attendance, and the Commissioners introduced themselves. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS 1.Design review of a revised sign permit application for PayDayHaw Applicant: Kathy Cruz of Hawaiian Sign and Design. Land Owner: Lawrence L.W. Chan Trust Et Al and Linda Yee Wah Chan Trust. TMK: 7-5-004:011. Located at Kopiko Plaza, on the makai side of Longs Drugs of the Lanihau Shopping Center in Kailua Village, Kailua-Kona, HI. Staff Presentation Ms. Newlon oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map, and described the proposed marquis sign. She mentioned that the sign initially reviewed by the Commission at the January 13, 2009, meeting was a combined sign that included Mobi PCS, and that the sign has been redesigned exclusively for PayDayHawaii. She noted that although the proposed letter height exceeds the 9-inch limit for the Kailua Village Special District by 7/8 inch, Sign Variance Permit No. 6 issued to Kopiko Plaza Shopping Center on October 10, 1991, allows lettering and logo height to be up to 12 inches. She said that the Department of Public Works finds the sign in compliance with the Sign Code and the variance, and that it also appears to meet the guidelines of the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona. 1 Commissioners noted that the proposed sign looks too small relative to other signs in the area. Ms. Newlon responded that although the letter size is smaller than that of the surrounding signs, the sign now uses non-illuminated channel letters, which addresses the concern the Commission had previously about lack of consistency. She reiterated that the lettering can be as high as 12 inches based on the sign variance. In response to Commissioner Harris-GladeÓs inquiry, Ms. Newlon r Commissioners that the directory sign that was a part of the previous application was only for PayDayHawaii, and that the Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Public Works Director. Applicant Presentation The applicant, Kathy Cruz, was not available. Craig Shafer, President of Money Service Centers of HawaiÒi that runs PayDayHawaii, was present. He indicated that they went along with their sign designerÓs recommendation without knowledge of the allowable maximum letter height, and that they would like to consider increasing the height with the CommissionÓs approval. In response to Commissioner Harris-GladeÓs inquiry, Mr. Shafer confirmed that the darker of the two green shades represented in the submittal is the actual color. Public Testimony There was no one from the public wishing to testify on this agen Action It was moved by Commissioner Harris-Glade, and seconded by Commissioner Ogin, to recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the sign application, with the following recommendation: The applicant has the option to increase the letter height up to 12 inches as allowed by Sign Variance Permit No. 6 approved on October 10, 1991, for Kop A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Harris-Glade, Ogin, Au Hoy, Herbert, Kern and Ross) and two absent and excused (Bleck and Coats). 2.Design review of a proposed revised design for an automobile gasoline station and convenience store as part of a commercial development including restaurants and retail establishments to consider architectural features to add to the exterior of the convenience store. Applicant: Terry Dunlap, agent for Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. Land Owner: Prem Reddy, MD., of Prime A. Investments, LLC. TMK: 7-5-004:031. Lo south side of Henry Street at the intersection with Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI. Staff Presentation Ms. Newlon oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject property on the location map and site plan. She mentioned that the applicant has come back with this final design 2 in response to a request the Commissioners made when they approved the overall concept of the gas station and convenience store at the February 24, 2009, meeting. Ms. Newlon described two design changes: lava rock wainscot on the corners of the store building and surface mounted screen elements for two store walls facing Henry Street and Alahou Street. She noted that although the proposed material for the screen elements is steel or high-density urethane, neither of which is recommendable under the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona, it still appears to satisfy the guidelines, considering the screen is a decorative piece to otherwise overly monotonous façade planes. She also said that the proposed rust color for the screen elements appears to be acceptable according to the color palette recommended for the Kailua Village Special Distric Applicant Presentation The applicant, Terry Dunlap, was not available. Larry Adams, Director of Marketing and Sales for Aloha Petroleum, was present. In response to Commissioner Harris-GladeÓs inquiry, Mr. Adams confirmed that the proposed gas station will not replace an existing Aloha gas station on Kuakini Highway; it is in addition to the existing one. Chair Marone asked about the lava rock wall additions. Mr. Adams said that it was recommended by Mr. Dunlap to add the lava rock effect on the cor building better match with the rest of the shopping center along with the roof material that also goes with the other buildings. Public Testimony There was no one from the public wishing to testify on this agen Commission Discussion Commissioners expressed their approval for the revised design, and thanked Mr. Adams for acting cooperatively in response to their previous comments. Action It was moved by Commissioner Ogin, and seconded by Commissioner Kern, to recommend to the Planning Director the approval of the proposed project as submitted. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Harris-Glade, Ogin, Au Hoy, Herbert, Kern and Ross) and two absent and excused (Bleck and Coats). 3.Update with discussions with Kailua Village Business Improvement District Update to be provided by Commissioner Fritz Harris-Glade on how the two groups can work together on projects that are located within both Districts. 3 Commission Discussion Commissioner Harris-Glade stated that he attended several meetings of the Kailua Village Business Improvement District (KVBID) and found out that the KVBID has hired a consultant from Los Angeles to develop branding. He said that he recommended the KVBID to create their own signage program that parallels the County Sign Code, and recommended they also monitor that program. He added that the idea was to make the Sign Code implementation and enforcement easier, and also the Commission would not have to review each sign application from the district since it would have approved the general concept. Commissioner Ogin said that although he likes the idea, it would seem to make the CommissionÓs role redundant. Commissioner Harris-Gle explained that he originally approached key people of the KVBID in an effort to figure out how the two groups could work in a collaborative manner, and they invited hi meetings as an observer so that he could report back to the Commission. Commissioner Ogin reiterated that the Commission should consider what is best for the Kailua Village and figure out how to achieve that most efficiently by looking i Commission and the KVBID. Commissioner Harris-Glade raised a question as to who are eligible to become the KVBID board members. Ms. Self responded that the board membership consists of elected property owners within the district, who are assessed the special tax, the Mayor or his designee, and the Councilperson for the district or his desi non-voting members from the County. She also elaborated on the role of the Commission, saying that the Commission is an advisory body to the Planning Director; so the KVBID receives projects for its recommendation from the Planning Director and from the Director of Public Works through the Planning Director. Commissioner Ross cited several instances where the KVBID, without bringing in to the Commission, proceeded with things that are normally subject to the Commission review. Commissioner Harris-Glade shared his impression that the KVBID seems to think they are exempt from that requirement. Commissioner Ogin felt that the current review system is somewhat dysfunctional in that there is a possibility of the Commission tearing apart what the community has already reviewed and supported. Chair Marone mentioned that it is very important that their consultants pay attention to the guidelines of the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona and not re-write a whole new set of branding guidelines. Commissioner Harris-Glade opined that the KVBID does not seem to understand that their district interfaces with the rest of the Kailua Village Special District, and that they need to be explained the different roles of the two groups to be able to work together. Commissioner Ogin noted that since they are funded, there are a lot of things the KVBID can do, which the Commission or the County canÓt do easily. Commissioner Ross mentioned that the Commissioners value collaborative relationship as evidenced by their work with applicants, and that their various backgrounds and professions can be a good resource to the KVBID. Commissioner Harris-Glade volunteered to be a liaison, if the Commission finds it appropriate. Commissioners agreed that the guidelines of the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona should be sent to the KVBID chairperson. Commissioner Harris-Glade suggested that their 4 consultants be invited to attend a Commission meeting. Ms. Self said that she and Ms. Masunaga will contact Debbie Baker of the KVBID, and report back the resul discussion at the next meeting, and that she will also talk to the Planning Director. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1.Election of Chair and Vice-Chair It was moved by Commissioner Harris-Glade, and seconded by Commissioner Kern, to postpone the election to the next meeting for the reason that Commissioners Bleck and Coats, whose long remaining terms make them eligible for the officer positions, were absent. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. 2.Assign members and define scope of sign committee discussed at the March 25, 2008 meeting In response to CommissionersÓ inquiry, Ms. Self clarified the Sunshine Law requirements with respect to committee business: Two Commissioners can privately discuss board business as long as they donÓt talk about how they are going to vote on a particular issue. A committee can have up to four Commissioners, or less than a quorum, in its membership. A committee has to be created at a regular meeting where the members are assigned and the purpose and scope of the committee is described At a subsequent meeting the committee can report back to the Commission, but no discussion can be held. At another subsequent meeting the Commission can discuss the committee business and take action on it. Committees can gather information outside of a duly noticed meet violating the Sunshine Law. Commissioner Harris-Glade responded to Ms. SelfÓs question about the purpose of this particular committee, saying that it was initially specific to signage issues based on their discussion with the Department of Public Works; however, in light of what has transpired concerning the KVBID, the scope should be expanded to include that matter. He then requested that this item be deferred to a future meeting with full membersÓ attendance. No objections were made. Chair Marone requested Commissioner Harris-Glade to lead the discussion with his recommendation at that meeting. 3.Minutes of the Meeting of February 24, 2009 It was moved by Commissioner Harris-Glade and seconded by Commissioner Herbert that the minutes be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS No announcements were made. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 6:55 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Harris-Glade and seconded by Commissioner Kern 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: Sally Marone, Chair Kailua Village Design Commission 6