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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-16 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES Meeting Date: September 16, 2014 Time: 5:20 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: Paul Bleck, Alvin Akina, Jr., Adam Broderson, Peter Dahlberg, John Hetherington, Sammie Stanbro and Zon Sullenberger Absent and Excused: Theresa Andreae and Fanny Au Hoy Planning Department: Bennett Mark, Keola Childs and Noriko Sauer Applicant/Representative: Jeremy Neill and Lani Swain Public: None A quorum was present. Chair Bleck called the meeting to order and the Commissioners introduced themselves. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Minutes of the Meeting of July 22, 2014. It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Dahlberg that the minutes be approved as circulated. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners present. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS – No statements were presented under this section of the agenda. NEW BUSINESS 1. Design review of a sign permit application for a ground-mounted directory sign for “Walua Professional Center.” Applicant: Neill Sign and Design. Landowner: C & H Yokoyama LLC. TMK: 7-5-018:094. Located at 75-5805 Walua Road, fronting both Walua Road and Kuakini Highway. Mr. Childs oriented the Commissioners of the subject and surrounding properties on a location map. He described the proposed directory sign, and noted that it appeared to be in compliance with the Sign Code and the Master Plan for Kailua Village (“Master Plan”) guidelines. He clarified that the existing wall sign facing Kuakini Highway would remain, as a directory sign is allowed in addition to a wall sign. 1 The applicant, Jeremy Neill, stated that he tried to comply with the Sign Code and the guidelines of the Master Plan, and that the standard fonts were used for easy reading. He also mentioned that he had selected a material that is long lasting and has a wood-finish appearance. In response to the Commissioners’ questions, he said that the existing tenant signage facing Walua Road would also remain as is, and that the foliage at the proposed installation site would be transplanted within the property. Commissioner Stanbro commented that the sign was attractive, and moved to recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the application as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Broderson, and carried by a roll call vote with six ayes (Stanbro, Broderson, Akina, Dahlberg, Hetherington and Sullenberger) and two absent and excused (Andreae and Au Hoy). 2. Design review of a sign permit application for a ground-mounted directory sign for “Gold Coast Business Center I.” Applicant: Neill Sign and Design. Landowner: COMM 2006-C8 KAIWI STREET LLC and Queen Lili`uokalani Trust. TMK: 7-4-015:009. Located at 74-5484 Kaiwi Street at the northwest corner of Luhia St. With Chair Bleck’s concurrence, Mr. Childs combined his presentations for Agenda Item Nos. 2 through 5, since the proposed signs were essentially identical and would all be located in the Kailua Industrial Subdivision. He noted that although the dominant blue color was not one of the shades recommended in the Master Plan, it still appeared to be reasonable. He also noted that two of the four, namely Agenda Item Nos. 2 and 4, would be installed under existing pavilion structures, which currently display the name and address of the respective complex, and that the Commission might wish to advise the applicant as to whether or not he should eliminate the pavilion lettering, as it might look redundant since the proposed signs would show the same information. The applicant, Jeremy Neill, said that he had no problem with removing the name and address from the pavilions. The Commissioners suggested that some landscaping around the base of the signs be considered, especially for the two locations that currently looked bare, namely Agenda Item Nos. 3 and 4. Mr. Neill responded that the line of sight for traffic had to be kept clear, but he would convey the suggestion to the owner. Commissioner Sullenberger pointed out that the address on two of the proposed signs, namely Agenda Item Nos. 2 and 3, did not indicate the street name, and suggested that it be added for uniformity and clarity. With respect to Agenda Item No. 2, Commissioner Hetherington moved, and Commissioner Sullenberger seconded, to recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the application, with the following changes: 1.The street name be added after the address numbers; and 2.The existing building name and address be removed from the pavilion fascia as redundant. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with six ayes (Hetherington, Sullenberger, Akina, Broderson, Dahlberg and Stanbro) and two absent and excused (Andreae and Au Hoy). 2 3. Design review of a sign permit application for a ground-mounted directory sign for “Gold Coast Business Center II.” Applicant: Neill Sign and Design. Landowner: COMM 2006-C8 KAIWI STREET LLC and Queen Lili`uokalani Trust. TMK: 7-4-015:008. Located at 74-5483 Kaiwi Street at the southwest corner of Luhia St. It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Broderson that the Commission recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the application, with the following changes: 1.The street name be added after the address numbers; and 2.The paved area between the proposed directory sign and the existing landscape strip be enhanced and beautified with groundcover landscaping to blend with existing landscaping. Additionally, the Commission requested the applicant that the existing banners and pennants be removed. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with six ayes (Hetherington, Broderson, Akina, Dahlberg, Stanbro and Sullenberger) and two absent and excused (Andreae and Au Hoy). 4. Design review of a sign permit application for a ground-mounted directory sign for a portion of “Gold Coast Business Center III.” Applicant: Neill Sign and Design. Landowner: COMM 2006-C8 KAIWI STREET LLC and Queen Lili`uokalani Trust. TMK: 7-4-010:016. Located at 74-5543 Kaiwi Street at southeast corner of Pawai Place. Commissioner Hetherington moved, and Commissioner Dahlberg seconded, to recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the application as submitted with the following changes: 1.The existing building name and address be removed from the pavilion fascia as redundant; and 2.Groundcover landscaping be added to the bare rock area around the base of the proposed sign. Commissioner Sullenberger pointed out a discrepancy in information about the sign area between the application form, which indicated it as 22 square feet, and the attached design/installation diagram according to which it would be 24 square feet. The staff confirmed that the maximum allowed directory sign area is 22 square feet. Based on the discussion, Commissioner Hetherington moved to amend his motion to include:  The illustrated sign dimensions be reduced to comply with the 22 square foot area specification on the sign permit application form. The motion to amend was seconded by Commissioner Sullenberger, and unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners present. A roll call vote was then taken for the main motion as amended, and the motion carried with six ayes (Hetherington, Dahlberg, Akina, Broderson, Stanbro and Sullenberger) and two absent and excused (Andreae and Au Hoy). 5. Design review of a sign permit application for a ground-mounted directory sign for a portion of “Gold Coast Business Center III.” Applicant: Neill Sign and Design. 3 Landowner: COMM 2006-C8 KAIWI STREET LLC and Queen Lili`uokalani Trust. TMK: 7-4-010:017. Located at 74-5583 Pawai Place. It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Stanbro that the Commission recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the application, with the following changes: 1.The illustrated sign dimensions be reduced to comply with the 22 square foot area specification on the sign permit application form; and 2.The sign mounting height be reduced to six feet in order to comply with the County Zoning Code. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with six ayes (Hetherington, Stanbro, Akina, Broderson, Dahlberg and Sullenberger) and two absent and excused (Andreae and Au Hoy). 6. Design review of a sign variance application for letter and logo heights on two wall signs for Brown Shoe Company, dba “Famous Footwear.” Applicant: GP Roadway Solutions. Landowner: Alexander & Baldwin, LLC and McBryde Sugar Co. LLC. TMK: 7-5-004:010. Located at 75-5595 Palani Road, in Lanihau Center, in the former location of Bank of Hawaii. Mr. Childs oriented the Commissioners of the subject and surrounding properties on a location map. He clarified that although the application described both signs as wall signs, the Department of Public Works, Building Division (“DPW”), classified the one facing the parking lot as a marquee sign. He described the two proposed signs and the variance request, and noted that the DPW found the variance request to be appropriate. He said that as far as the coloration was considered, it appeared to be consistent with the guidelines of the Master Plan. He also informed the Commissioners that there is a variance issued in 1987, covering the entire Lanihau Shopping Center, including the subject property, which allows twelve-inch lettering and symbols; the proposed lettering and symbol height exceeds the allowance, and a new variance is required. The applicant’s representative, Lani Swain, provided additional information and explanations as to why the variance request was warranted. He pointed out that a few other tenants, such as First Hawaiian Bank, Sack N Save and Long’s Drugs, have oversized signs, and that the proposed marquee sign facing the parking lot would actually be the same size as the sign that belonged to the previous tenant. Commissioner Broderson commented that the marquee sign looked acceptable to him, but the wall sign facing Palani Road seemed unnecessarily large, especially with illumination at night. Commissioner Hetherington moved to send a recommendation to the Public Works Director that the variance application for the marquee sign be forwarded to the County Council with a favorable recommendation, and that the wall sign facing Palani Road be modified to comply with the existing 1987 variance. Commissioner Akina seconded the motion. The Commissioners discussed whether the currently allowed twelve-inch lettering height should be adequate, with the color being bright white. Mr. Childs observed that if the lettering height were to be reduced to twelve inches, the applicant would not have to go through the variance procedure. Following the discussion, Commissioners Hetherington and Akina withdrew their motion and second, respectively. 4 It was moved by Commissioner Dahlberg and seconded by Commissioner Hetherington that the Commission recommend to the Public Works Director that the applicant reduce the height of the proposed lettering and symbol in order to comply with the 1987 sign variance approved for the subject and adjoining properties comprising Lanihau Shopping Center. The Commissioners agreed that the Commission would recommend approval of signage composed of the same design and material if reduced in size to meet the standards of the 1987 sign variance. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with six ayes (Dahlberg, Hetherington, Akina, Broderson, Stanbro and Sullenberger) and two absent and excused (Andreae and Au Hoy). In response to the Commissioners’ questions, Mr. Swain said that the colors used for the proposed signs were the company standard, and that the illumination would use 60-watt LED lighting. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Mr. Mark welcomed the newest members, Commissioners Dahlberg and Sullenberger. Mr. Child informed the Commissioners that there would be one design review application on the agenda for the next meeting scheduled for October 7, 2014. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 6:55 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Sullenberger 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: Paul Bleck, Chairman Kailua Village Design Commission 5