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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-22 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION MINUTES MEETING DATE: January 22, 2008 TIME: 5:05 p.m. PLACE: The Mayor’s Office Conference Room, Suite 103 Hanama Place Office Building in Kailua Village ROLL CALL 1.Members Present: Fanny Collins Au Hoy, Stephen Herbert, Sally Marone and David Ross, Jr. 2.Absent and Excused: Theresa Andreae and Cynthia Hope 3.Staff Present: Christopher Yuen, Bennett Mark and Rosalind Newlon 4.Department of Public Works: Brian Kajikawa and Noelani Whittington 5.Public: Brian McCourt and Liz McCourt The Chair welcomed those in attendance, and the Commissioners introduced themselves. It was agreed by all in attendance that the Commission take up the Administrative Matters first. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1.Minutes of the Meeting of December 11, 2007 – It was moved by Commissioner Au Hoy and seconded by Commissioner Herbert that the minutes be approved as circulated. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. Minutes of the Meeting of January 8, 2008 – It was moved by Commissioner Au Hoy and seconded by Commissioner Ross that the minutes be approved as circulated. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. Mark announced that the County Council has confirmed four nominees: Greg Ogin, Ann Kern, Paul Bleck and Cindy Coats. He mentioned that the fifth nominee, Fritz Harris-Glade, will th appear before the Council on January 24. He also mentioned that Commissioner Herbert, whose term expired as of December 31, 2007, has agreed to continue until his replacement has been found. th Mr. Mark announced that the next meeting is scheduled for February 12, and that a discussion of Sign Code enforcement with Chris Domino of the Department of Public Works is on the meeting agenda. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 1 NEW BUSINESS 1.PLANNING DIRECTOR – Discussion regarding issues concerning the Kailua Village Special District including parking Director Yuen thanked the Commissioners for their services, and mentioned that the Commission’s recommendations and suggestions are carefully considered by the Department as well as the Planning Commission. As one of the County projects in progress, Director Yuen mentioned Mid-Level Road, which will go through the Keahuolu affordable housing project planned by the State; he said that the County is currently working on environmental assessment and preliminary planning. There was a discussion regarding parking issues. Director Yuen stated that the parking bill didn’t pass, but a similar bill could be reintroduced. He said that if a project has a plan approval submitted to the Planning Department and is compliant with the parking requirements, it should be grandfathered at that point from new more demanding parking requirements. In response to the Commissioners’ inquiry about a framework for a sustainable walking community, Director Yuen said that the Community Development Plan should have some language that would provide flexibility on parking, and that there are tools in the Zoning Code, such as PUD, which could be used to change the parking requirements. He added that although on-street parking is an issue, excessive parking requirements are not desirable, as they could result in unnecessary concrete surface. The Commissioners asked about landscape responsibility along Queen Kaahumanu Highway, especially between Palani Road and Makala Boulevard in conjunction with the Highway widening project. Director Yuen mentioned that the role for the Commission to play is as an advocate, not as a regulatory body, if the goal is to have a more beautiful entry to the Kailua Village. The Commissioners agreed to send a letter to the State Department of Transportation to request a copy of the current landscaping plan and schedule for implementation. The Commissioners raised their concern regarding the Sign Code enforcement. Director Yuen noted that part of enforcing something is to have regulation that fits the area; for example, the Sign Code that was created for the Kailua Village, a picturesque walking community, doesn’t serve well the expanded area of the Kailua Village Special District, namely the Old Industrial area or the Crossroads commercial area. They discussed the relevancy of Sign Code standards to the Kailua Village Special District. Director Yuen mentioned that prioritizing areas can also help enforcement efforts. Director Yuen suggested the Commission try to base its recommendation on some overall principle, and added that the Kailua Village Master Plan contains good basic principles. He noted that people are consciously trying to meet the design theme suggested in the Master Plan, and that the Commission can advocate for the design of the Kailua Village. He mentioned that the Commission can also watch for government projects being carried 2 through, such as landscaping on Kuakini Highway and Queen Kaahumanu Highway, as well as partnership with the Planning Department administration. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Noriko Sauer, Secretary A T T E S T: Sally Marone, Chair Kailua Village Design Commission 3