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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-25 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES Meeting Date: September 25, 2012 Time: 5:21 p.m. Place: West Hawai‘i Civic Center nd Planning Department Conference Room – Building E, 2 Floor 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, 96740 CALL TO ORDER Commissioners Present: John Hetherington, Fanny Au Hoy, Adam Broderson, Stephen Herbert and Sammie Stanbro Absent and Excused: Theresa Andreae, Nancy Burns and Shane Kitchens Applicants/Representatives: Linda Churches, David Cunningham and Jeff Dobbins Planning Department: Bennett Mark, Keola Childs and Noriko Sauer Public: Ken Churches, Jill Moore, Jim Moore, John Mason and Chong Won A quorum was present. Vice Chair Hetherington called the meeting to order, and announced that due to Chair Kitchens’ absence, he was to preside at this meeting. The Commissioners introduced themselves. It was moved by Commissioner Au Hoy, and seconded by Commissioner Herbert, to move approval of the minutes of the September 11 meeting to the end of the agenda. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS - No statements were presented under this section of the agenda. NEW BUSINESS 1. Design Review of a proposed ADA-standard access ramp with railings. Applicant: Kona Ali‘i AOAO. Landowner: Kona Ali‘i AOAO. Property Tax Map Key No.: 7-5-008:001. Location: 75-5782 Ali‘i Drive, Kailua-Kona, between Islander Inn and Lava Java restaurant. Mr. Childs oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map, site plan and photographs, and described the proposed project. He noted that the proposed project would improve pedestrian circulation along this frontage section of Ali‘i Drive, and that it appeared to be consistent with the architectural design guidelines for the Kailua Village. The applicant’s representative, Linda Churches, introduced herself as the treasurer on the board of Kona Ali‘i, and said that the proposed project would not aesthetically change the current appearance apart from a ramp replacing the existing stairway on a slightly modified slope that meets the ADA standard. 1 Commissioner Stanbro expressed her support for the project, mentioning that she had lived in the subject condominium in the 1980’s and always wondered why there were no ramps. She moved that the Commission recommend approval of the proposed project as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Broderson, and carried with five ayes (Stanbro, Broderson, Au Hoy, Herbert and Hetherington) and three absent and excused (Andreae, Burns and Kitchens). 2. Design Review of a proposed “Arts and Media Educational Training Facility” for University of the Nations. Applicant: University of the Nations. Landowner: Pacific-Asia Christian University dba University of the Nations. Property Tax Map Key No.: 7-5- 010:003. Location: 75-332 Hualālai Road, Kailua-Kona, fronting both Kuakini Highway and Hualālai Road. Vice Chair Hetherington made a disclosure that he had had minor involvement with the subject property in the past. Commissioner Broderson also disclosed that he had worked on the project during the past phases. It was confirmed, however, that neither of them were presently under contract to the applicant. There were no objections to their participation in the discussion and action on this agenda item. Mr. Childs oriented the Commissioners regarding the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, and described the proposed projects. He said that he had explained to the applicant the reason why their proposed design was not acceptable in the Kailua Village Special District; as a result, the applicant presented a revised set of drawings, which showed additional design features such as a lava rock wainscot and an eyebrow roof. He said that according to the applicant, the reason for the extensive height of the walls with virtually no windows was because the purpose of the building was media production, which would require a high ceiling, a large wall space and controlled lighting; he added that the building, therefore, would essentially be for an industrial use. He discussed possible visual impacts, saying that because of the topography of the land, surrounding buildings and foliage, only certain parts of the building would be visible from most of the view planes, except a short segment of Hualālai Road from which substantial sight of the building could be possible. He noted that the proposed coloration was consistent with the recommended color palette, and that although the architectural design as revised still did not meet the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona guidelines, it was a significant improvement from the original submittal. The applicant’s representative, David Cunningham, introduced himself and the other representatives in attendance. He briefly spoke of his personal background as being a Konawaena High School graduate and a film developer, and said that there was no self-sustaining film industry on the Big Island, and that their goal is to develop one with the proposed facility where students would learn film making and live performance. He talked about how beneficial the industry would be not only to the students but also to the local community and the entire island. He elaborated on the reason for the windowless walls, saying that the walls would be soundproof for the sake of neighbors. He said that the color scheme would match that of the adjacent Hualālai Village condominiums, and that a significant amount of additional landscaping would be put in. Mr. John Mason, who works as economic development specialist in the Big Island Film Office, which is part of the County Department of Research and Development, provided comments in 2 support that the proposed project would develop a local capability of film production, attract production businesses from afar, and promote economic development of the island. The Vice Chair asked whether or not the facility would be open to the public. Mr. Cunningham mentioned that he represented the Film Institute that educates filmmakers and also bridges the industry and communities. He then stated in response that according to their bylaws training for the students would have to be integrated into everything that happens at the facility, and that the facility could offer a quality of service adequate for Hollywood-level production, but only if the bylaws are abided by. Commissioner Stanbro spoke highly of movies produced by Mr. Cunningham, and commented that she had not been in favor of the building as proposed, but because of Mr. Cunningham’s credibility, she was now inclined to support the application. Mr. Cunningham said that they needed a facility to train young people for the filmmaking industry, and that he was thankful for the advice Mr. Childs had given them, which helped them address design concerns that the Commission might have. The Vice Chair recognized the applicant’s responsiveness, saying that the revised design looked much better than the original one. Commissioner Au Hoy opined, however, that while the purpose of the project was excellent, the architectural design was not acceptable to her. She expressed her concern particularly over the visibility from the core area of the Kailua Village, as well as from the cruise ships in Kailua Bay, and suggested that the applicant somehow improve the façade with the idea of lōkahi in accord with the intended name for the building, “Lōkahi Studios.” Mr. Jeff Dobbins, the project manager, requested specific recommendations from the Commission, saying that they were willing to make changes accordingly. Some suggestions were made in the course of the discussion, including textured stucco surface, bands, cornice, eyebrow roof modification, and landscaping. Mr. Cunningham mentioned that the project was funded by donations and therefore had budget constraints. He was of the opinion that upon the installation of additional landscaping, as well as a screen for an adjacent property owned by Kamehameha Investment Corporation, the visibility of the building would be limited. Commissioner Broderson observed, based on what he had seen by driving by the property, that the existing cafeteria building would still be more prominent from the makai direction. Mr. Childs displayed some photographs showing the site from motorists’ point of view, commenting that the applicant thus far had done a fine job with landscaping. He also pointed out that rather than the lava rock wainscot at the base of the building, something else could be used that would be more cost-effective. Following Commissioner Herbert’s remark that the eyebrow roof as proposed was not proportional to the building, discussion continued as to the desirable revisions to the architectural design, as well as the use of landscaping to conceal adverse visual impacts. It was moved by Commissioner Herbert, and seconded by Commissioner Broderson, to recommend approval of the proposed building, with a recommendation that the applicant give further consideration to the exterior appearance. Commissioner Stanbro expressed her desire to specify their recommendations. Mr. Childs also advised the Commission that their recommendations should be detailed enough to provide the Planning staff with clear guidance during their review process. Following further discussion, Commissioner Herbert amended his motion to state that the Commission recommend the Planning Director’s approval of the applicant’s modified design, as submitted at this meeting, subject to the following additional modifications being incorporated into the proposed facility design: 3 1.A more dramatic extension of the eyebrow roof; 2.Architectural features added to break up the 45-foot building height, such as one or more colored trim bands and/or texture variations on the wall faces; 3.Walls to be colored similar to that of neighboring Hualālai Village residential complex; 4.Lava rock wainscoting may be deleted from the designor retained; and 5.At least north and west sides of the building to be landscaped with mature trees fitting the scale of the building, with a minimum overall height of 20 feet. The amended motion was seconded by Commissioner Broderson, and carried with five ayes (Herbert, Broderson, Au Hoy, Stanbro and Hetherington) and three absent and excused (Andreae, Burns and Kitchens). ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1. Approval of Minutes of the Meeting of September 11, 2012. It was moved by Commissioner Au Hoy and seconded by Commissioner Herbert that the minutes be approved as submitted. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Childs announced that the next meeting would be held on October 9, 2012, with tentatively two items on the agenda. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 7:10 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Herbert and seconded by Commissioner Stanbro 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: John Hetherington, Vice Chair Kailua Village Design Commission 4