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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-06 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES Meeting Date: March 6, 2012 Time: 5:15 p.m. Place: West Hawai‘i Civic Center nd Planning Department Conference Room – Building E, 2 Floor 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, 96740 CALL TO ORDER Commissioners Present: Shane Kitchens, Fanny Au Hoy, Nancy Burns, Stephen Herbert, John Hetherington and Sammie Stanbro Absent and Excused: Riley Saito Applicants/Representatives: Sean Asmus, Jim Perry and Michael Riehm Planning Department: Bennett Mark, Keola Childs and Noriko Sauer Public: None A quorum was present. Chair Kitchens called the meeting to order and the Commissioners introduced themselves. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS None. The Chair suggested that the Commission reorder the agenda and take up the New Business first. There were no objections. NEW BUSINESS 1. Design review of a sign permit application for a ground directory sign for Henry Street Landing. Applicant: Sean Asmus of Reddy Development. Land Owners: Relo Kona, LLC. TMK: 7-5-004:031. Located at 75-934 Henry Street, Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, on the southeast corner of the intersection of Kuakini Highway and Henry Street. Mr. Childs oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, and described the proposed sign, which would replace an existing business sign for Aloha Gas in the same location. He noted that although the Department of Public Works, Building Division (DPW) had reviewed it as a directory sign, the proposed signage actually appeared to be two signs combined: a business sign for Aloha Gas on top of a directory sign for two other businesses. He pointed out that the sign would include product advertisement for Aloha Gas, which was prohibited in the Kailua Village district under the Sign Code; however, indicating gasoline prices on signage at gas stations, as proposed here, was historically allowed even in the district. He also mentioned that while the proposed shiny plastic materials were discouraged in the Kailua Village, the existing Aloha Gas sign, as well as all other gas station signs in the area, were made of similar materials. Further, he said that the applicant had just informed him that the applicant and his team were now considering an alternative design featuring internal surround illumination of the 1 directory sign lettering that could be created by recessing the black backing from the through-routed lettering, rather than be flush-mounted to the rear side of the routed aluminum face, so as to allow internal lighting to diffuse around the backing and project through the routed letter openings. In response to the Commissioners’ questions, Mr. Childs said that the DPW was responsible for determining whether the signage was a business sign or a directory sign, and that no landscaping plan was submitted, as the subject property was already landscaped and the proposed sign would only replace the existing gasoline sign, utilizing the same footing. The applicant, Sean Asmus, introduced himself and Mr. Michael Riehm, the project architect. The Chair asked the applicant whether or not future change to the directory portion was thought out, saying that the Commission’s determination in similar cases in the past had been that tenant names on a directory sign must have a uniformed look with no logo or color deviation. Mr. Asmus responded that Starbucks had approved the proposed design as is without their logo, and that any other future tenants would be informed of the restriction. It was moved by Commissioner Herbert, and seconded by Commissioner Burns, to recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the proposed sign as submitted. The Chair pointed out that the applicant had introduced a possible alternative, which was not part of his application submittal. Commissioner Herbert clarified that his motion included endorsement for the alternative design, as described earlier, should the applicant later decide to amend his application. Commissioner Burns seconded the restated motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with five ayes (Herbert, Burns, Au Hoy, Hetherington and Stanbro), and one absent and excused (Saito). ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1. Approval of Minutes of the Meeting of January 10, 2012. It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Stanbro that the minutes be approved as submitted. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ANNOUNCEMENTS The updated Sunshine Law booklet was distributed to the Commissioners. Mr. Mark made the following announcements: Confirmation of the appointment of Ms. Theresa Andreae to the Commission is on the agenda · for the County Council March 9 meeting. Staff met with the DPW about streamlining the sign permit application review process. A · new referral form will replace the current sign permit review application form, at which time the DPW will start forwarding only those that comply with the Sign Code to the Commission for its design review and comments. If an applicant fails to meet Sign Code requirements and chooses to apply for a variance, the variance application will be forwarded to the Commission for its review and comments. This change will clarify that the DPW, who administers the Sign Code, is responsible for analyzing sign permit applications. DPW is ready to proceed as soon as the Planning Department has finalized the referral form. 2 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 5:50 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Burns and seconded by Commissioner Au Hoy that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. Respectfully submitted, Noriko Sauer, Secretary A T T E S T: Shane Kitchens, Chair Kailua Village Design Commission 3