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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-08 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES Meeting Date: May 8, 2012 Time: 5:20 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, Theresa Andreae, Fanny Au Hoy, Nancy Burns, Stephen Herbert, John Hetherington, Sammie Stanbro and Riley Saito (from 5:30 p.m.) Applicants/Representatives: Calvin Matsuoka, Stanford Lee, Brent Yoshitake, Rodney Lee and Ronald Dobashi 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 proposed construction of two single-family dwellings on one lot. Applicant and Landowner: Hind Properties, LLC. Property Tax Map Key No.: 7-5-022:094. Location: 75-5756 Lamaokeola Street, Kailua-Kona, in the Lono-Kona Subdivision. Mr. Childs oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, and described the proposed buildings. He noted that they appeared to comply with the architectural design guidelines for Kailua Village in form, placement and coloration. Commissioner Stanbro observed that the floor plan seemed to render a total of four dwelling units with each building being a duplex. Mr. Childs said that the Planning Department would ask the applicant to label the use of each room during the Plan Approval process; however, he added for the Commissioners’ information that bathrooms were permitted in conjunction with any room, including storage. In response to Commissioner Andreae’s inquiry about drainage, Mr. Child said that the Department of Public Works Engineering Division would require the applicant to address any drainage issues, if necessary, and that no drainage information was made available to the Planning Department at this time. 1 The applicant’s representative, Calvin Matsuoka, said that the land was being engineered and a flood zone survey was being done, and that the applicant was hoping no major changes to the current plan would be necessary. In response to Commissioner Andreae’s question, Mr. Child said that if the application for Plan Approval were to be substantially different from what was being reviewed by the Commission, the applicant would be required to submit the revised plan to the Commission for its consideration. It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington, and seconded by Commissioner Herbert, to recommend the Planning Director’s approval of the proposed project as presented. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with seven ayes (Hetherington, Herbert, Andreae, Au Hoy, Burns, Saito and Stanbro) and no noes. 2. Design Review of a proposed financial services office building for American Savings Bank. Applicant: Next Design LLC. Land Owners: Lanihau Properties, LLC. Property Tax Map Key No.: 7-5-005:061. Location: 75-5644 Palani Road, at the west (makai-Kohala) corner of Kuakini Highway and Palani Road (the location of the former Chevron gas station). Mr. Childs oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, and described the proposed development. He said that while not fully meeting the goal of a pedestrian-oriented building frontage, the project appeared to comply with the architectural design guidelines; however, he emphasized that the site was one of the gateway parcels of the Kailua Village and therefore deserved careful consideration of landscaping and building design. In response to Commissioner Andreae’s inquiry about the exit driveway onto Kuakini Highway, Mr. Childs explained that the Department of Public Works Engineering Division had indicated that it was too close to the Palani Road-Kuakini Highway intersection to be permitted, and that the applicant had been advised of this but had not revised the plan for purposes of this Commission review. The applicant’s representative, Stanford Lee of Next Design LLC, introduced himself. Also present were Brent Yoshitake of Next Design LLC, Rodney Lee of Maryl, and Ronald Dobashi of American Savings Bank. Commissioner Au Hoy complimented the applicant on the landscaping plan and the overall choice of plants; however, she opined that the architectural design, though nice, would not enhance the historical aspect of the area where Kailua Village’s historic sites, such as Ahu‘ena Heiau, Hulihe‘e Palace and Moku‘aikaua Church, are in a close proximity, and said that she wished to see a more historical feel. She also expressed her disapproval of the chain-link fence proposed to be installed at the property line adjacent to the hotel parcel, replacing the existing fence located approximately ten feet inside the property line. Commissioner Stanbro thanked the applicant for planning to landscape the property corner facing the Palani Road-Kuakini Highway intersection, in lieu of putting in more parking stalls. She inquired whether bench-like features could be provided under the trees along the sidewalk for pedestrians to enjoy. Mr. Stanford Lee responded that that could create a liability issue from the property owner’s point of view. Mr. Dobashi also responded saying that they would have to review the idea. Commissioners discussed how to improve the building appearance, especially the large window panels and the roofing style, as well as landscaping and fencing, and reached a consensus on 2 recommendations as noted below. They also agreed that the recommendations should be included in a motion and forwarded to the Planning Director as part of their action. Mr. Dobashi said that he found the recommendations to be reasonable. Mr. Stanford Lee also commented that the applicant wished to fit in the community. It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington, and seconded by Commissioner Au Hoy, to recommend the Planning Director’s approval of the proposed project, with the following items to be considered during the Plan Approval process: 1.Improve the building’s historical context by modifying window design to break up mono- panel glass storefront appearance by use of mullions or similar, and by extending the building’s wainscot/base trimline materials below all windows to reduce the glassed area; 2.Provide additional landscape plantings at the base of the building to break up the hardscape impact of surrounding pavement and consider the addition of a planting “island” or extension in the parking lot for placement of a canopy tree to improve effectiveness of required shading; 3.Where fencing is indicated, use a fencing design having a wrought iron appearance in lieu of the proposed chain-link design; 4.Install a low curb or similar barrier to prevent movement of proposed landscaping gravel/cinder onto fronting sidewalks; and 5.Install shake-appearance metal roofing, as verbally indicated by applicant, in lieu of a standing-rib or other industrial-type roofing style. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with seven ayes (Hetherington, Au Hoy, Andreae, Burns, Herbert, Saito and Stanbro) and no noes. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1. Approval of Minutes of the Meeting of March 20, 2012. It was moved by Commissioner Herbert and seconded by Commissioner Au Hoy that the minutes be approved as submitted. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements. The Chair confirmed his request for the disbanding of the Sign Code Review Committee to be agendized for the next available meeting. Mr. Mark reminded the Commission that the Sunshine Law permits up to two members to interact with each other, members of the public and/or government officials without public notice. Commissioner Andreae, based on the discussion that had just taken place for the second agenda item, expressed her desire to reach a consensus among the members on recommendable shade trees. Commissioner Hetherington volunteered to do some research and share the results with the other members. 3 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 6:58 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Herbert 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 4