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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-02 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES Meeting Date: December 2, 2014 Time: 5:19 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., Theresa Andreae, Fanny Au Hoy, Peter Dahlberg and John Hetherington Absent and Excused: Adam Broderson, Sammie Stanbro and Zon Sullenberger Planning Department: Bennett Mark, Keola Childs and Noriko Sauer Applicant/Representative: Matthew Kilgore, Mark Leong, Michael Riehm, Sean Asmus and Jim Perry 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 November 18, 2014. The Commission postponed this item until the next meeting at the secretary’s request. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS – No statements were presented under this section of the agenda. NEW BUSINESS Design review of a proposed automated carwash facility, revised from a prior facility design 1. reviewed on June 17, 2014. Applicant: Hawaii Car Wash Company, LLC. Landowner: Palani Ranch Company, Inc. TMK: 7-5-005:085. Location: Fronting Kuakini Highway, located near the southwest (makai-Kohala) corner of Kaiwi Street and Kuakini Highway, between Lex Brodie’s Hawaii Tire Center and Kekuaokalani Gymnasium. As background information, Mr. Childs circulated copies of the prior design reviewed by the Commission on June 17, 2014, and recited specific recommendations that the Commission had rendered as part of its favorable decision. He described the revised proposal, which included a new building location and modified design elements. He said that in general the contemporary design and earth-tone coloration appeared to be suitable for the type of proposed use in the industrial-commercial neighborhood. He pointed out, however, that the no-overhang design might lead to a maintenance challenge due to rain, bird mess and other sorts of debris running off the roof. 1 The applicant’s representative and architect, Matthew Kilgore, responded to the Commissioners’ questions and concerns, and said that an overhang and/or gutters could be added to the shed roof portion, and that the window glass could be tinted and dark coating could be applied on the aluminum window frames. He also said that the large multi-pane window panels on the side wall should not cause a glare issue to the public since there is an existing building between the wall and the street. With respect to the color of the proposed vacuum stalls, Mr. Kilgore agreed to select a color that would better blend in with the surroundings, such as green, rather than red shown in the application. Commissioner Hetherington asked if there was a possibility to incorporate lava rocks or lava veneer as a design feature. Mr. Mark Leong, co-partner of the business, responded that he would have to discuss the possibility with his partner; however, Mr. Kilgore said that the two building corners facing Kuakini Highway could be embellished with lava rocks. Also in response to Commissioner Hetherington’s question as to why the applicant had changed the sail roof design, which the Commissioners had found to be attractive, Mr. Kilgore said it was due to liability issues in the event of high wind. Mr. Kilgore also stated, in answering further questions, that 80 percent of water used for carwash would be recycled water, and that the three existing vehicular access points on Kona Bay Drive would remain the same. Commissioner Au Hoy opined that although she approved of the coloration, the revised architectural design was not attractive in that it was not representative of the Kailua Village. Commissioner Andreae commented, however, that the cupola-like design seemed to add dimension and a Polynesian feel to the building. Furthermore, she suggested that the window panels be trimmed with a frame-like border to improve the appearance. Based on specific suggestions made by the Commissioners and the applicant’s willingness to comply, Commissioner Andreae moved to recommend the Planning Director’s approval of the proposed project, subject to the following design modifications: 1.The color of the fabric covers at the vacuum stations should be changed to be either (a) the same as beige color proposed for the building’s exterior walls, or (b) a shade of green that blends with the adjoining and fronting landscape plantings; 2.Use of an a‘a lava rock veneer, at a minimum to be on the two building corners facing Kuakini Highway, in lieu of the split-faced block material shown; 3.The shed roof over the majority of the structure should be extended a sufficient length, with gutters, to present a visible overhang as a desirable design feature, and to prevent roof debris runoff from accumulating on the wall exteriors below the roof; 4.Specification of non-glare windows or glare-reducing tinting thereon; and 5.Addition of a border or frame-like trimwork to surround each of the multi-pane window panels, having a trim width and relief (thickness) to add a sense of traditional design and construction to these features. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Akina and there was no discussion on the motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed with five ayes (Andreae, Akina, Au Hoy, Dahlberg and Hetherington) and three absent and excused (Broderson, Stanbro and Sullenberger). 2. Design review of a proposed one-story commercial building on Henry Street, revised from a prior building design reviewed on October 7, 2014. Applicant: Riehm Owensby Planners Architects. Landowner: RELO KONA, LLC. TMK: 7-5-004:031. Address: 75-934 Henry Street. Location: Fronting Henry Street between Starbucks Coffee and Jack-in-the-Box. 2 Mr. Childs circulated copies of a letter dated October 14, 2014, from the Commission regarding the applicant’s initial proposal. He compared the two proposals, in particular design features relative to the Commission’s detailed recommendations in the letter. Mr. Michael Riehm, the applicant’s representative, presented additional information, including how the applicant had addressed each of the Commission’s concerns. He also reported that the applicant had confirmed with Hawai‘i Electric Light Company that it would not allow any landscaping around its easement area. Commissioner Dahlberg asked the reason why there were no windows on the side wall. Mr. Riehm said in response that because of the elevation drop from the driveway to the building pad, windows on the wall would sit too high to display the interior to passerby, and that, as such, the applicant would prefer landscaping along the wall over fake windows. He also mentioned that a three feet wide planting strip had replaced the originally proposed sidewalk along the rear wall, and that the poured-concrete retaining wall at three sides would be faced with lava rock veneer. Commissioner Andreae commented that planting along the rock wall should be done mindfully so that the foliage would not conceal the attractive rock wall. Further, in response to Commissioner Andreae’s question, Mr. Riehm clarified that the applicant was proposing a rust color for the metal canopy truss. Commissioners Au Hoy and Andreae commended the applicant for their successful revision work. It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Andreae that the Commission recommend the Planning Director’s approval of the design, coloration and landscaping of the proposed development as submitted. There was no discussion on the motion. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with five ayes (Hetherington, Andreae, Akina, Au Hoy and Dahlberg) and three absent and excused (Broderson, Stanbro and Sullenberger). ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS There were no discussions under this section of the agenda. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Mark informed the Commissioners of cancellation of the December 16, 2014, meeting owing to lack of applications. th Mr. Mark announced that the Commission’s annual recognition dinner was planned for either the 13 th or the 27 of January, 2015. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 6:35 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Au Hoy and seconded by Commissioner Dahlberg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. Respectfully submitted, A T T E S T: Noriko Sauer, Secretary Paul Bleck, Chairman Kailua Village Design Commission 3