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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070313 KVDC Minutes MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION MEETING DATE: March 13, 2007 TIME: 5:01 p.m. PLACE: The Mayor’s Office Conference Room, Suite 103, Hanama Place Office Building in Kailua Village ROLL CALL 1. Members Present: Theresa L. Andreae, Fanny Collins Au Hoy, Phil A. Davis, Cynthia L. Hope, Francis Kuailani, Sr., Sally Marone, David M. Ross and Riley M. Saito 2. Others Present: Applicants – Janelle Smith and Gregory Ogin 3. Public: A. J. Pappas and Robert Shockley 4. Staff Present: Bennett Mark, Rosalind Newlon and Noriko Sauer UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS 1. Design review of Shell Oil Station Canopy Replacement. Applicant: Janelle Smith; Land owner: Shell Oil Products, US and Lanihau Properties, LLC. TMK: 7-5-004-027. Located on 75-5645 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI, on the southeast corner of Kuakini Highway and Palani Street. Staff Presentation Ms. Newlon briefed the Commissioners on the proposed canopy replacement at the Shell Oil station located at the southeast corner of the Palani Road/Kuakini Highway intersection. The subject property is designated Village Commercial District-10 (CV-10) – 10,000 sq. feet per each building site – and is approximately 20,451 square feet in area. Ms. Newlon said the applicant is proposing to replace the existing canopy over the gasoline dispenser islands, and presented the following information: The supports for the canopy are located 23 feet from the front property line and the canopy projects one foot into the required 15-foot front yard, which is in compliance with Section 25-4-40 of the Zoning Code. The height of the replacement canopy is 18 feet and is in compliance with the height limit of 30 feet. The colors proposed for the canopy are white, red and bright yellow, which are not consistent with the color chart recommended for the Kailua Village Special District, but represent the colors associated with Shell Oil’s logo. Ms. Newlon added that the applicant is not proposing to install a sign at this time. As background information, Ms. Newlon stated that at its previous review for this project in June 1990, the Commission recommended pitched type roofing – such as Hawaiian hip roof design – instead of the flat, high tech type design, and either wood or other natural 1 type materials, instead of the sheet metal finishes proposed at that time. Ms. Newlon said, according to the applicant, the reason for the flat design is that all the Shell Oil stations are now going to have a flat roof over canopy. Applicant Presentation Ms. Smith did not do a presentation; she was available for questions from the Commissioners. Public Testimony None. Commission Discussion In response to the Commissioners’ queries, Ms. Smith stated that the flat roof design is Shell Oil’s new corporate standard and they are updating them as needed, and that the existing canopy at the subject station is so old that the electrical work is in bad shape. Ms. Smith added that she wasn’t aware of the pitched roof design recommendation made by the Commission in 1990. The Commissioners thought that a flat and wide roof will not match the gable roof of the existing building. The Commissioners expressed concern about the condition of landscaping on site, which was once well maintained but now appears to be substandard, and emphasized that the subject property is located at the gateway entry into the Kailua Village and it is important to enhance the visual image of the area. Ms. Smith said that the application is only for replacement of the existing canopy and the owner has no plan to put in additional landscaping, but she can approach the owner with the request. They discussed landscaping requirements under the County Code and the Kailua-Kona Master Plan. The Commissioners asked about the band of red light attached to the canopy, and Ms. Smith described that the red band is an opaque red-colored acrylic band and it will only glow because there is lighting fixture behind it. Ms. Newlon mentioned that will trigger an electric permit, and Ms. Smith stated that they already have electrical plans for a building permit. Ms. Smith also stated that the red band is about 6 inches wide. There was concern among the Commissioners that the submittal offers no specifications about the light or the red band. Action It was moved by Commissioner Marone and seconded by Commissioner Au Hoy that a favorable recommendation be made to the Planning Director with the following conditions: (1) The architecture for the proposed canopy shall carry through and be consistent with the gable roof of the existing building; (2) additional planting shall be installed at the corner of the parcel at Palani Road and Kuakini Highway, consisting of ground cover to improve the visual image of the gateway entry into the Kailua Village; and 2 (3) additional landscaping shall be installed to comply with the landscape guidelines found in the Master Plan for Kailua-Kona. The motion was unanimously carried by a roll call vote of all Commissioners present. 2. Design review of “as built” steps leading to Waterfront Row. Applicant: Gregory Ogin; Land owner: Watumull Properties Corp. TMK: 7-5-008:009. Located on 75-5776 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI, adjacent to Hale Halawai Park. Staff Presentation Ms. Newlon briefed the Commissioners on the “as built” steps leading to Waterfront Row located on Alii Drive. The subject property is designated Resort-Hotel-.75 (V-.75) – 750 sq. feet per each dwelling unit or for each separate rentable unit. The parcel size is 1.20 acres and the project is within the Special Management Area. Ms. Newlon said the applicant is in the process of obtaining permits for the “as built” new steps that are fronting Alii Drive, and presented the following information: The required front yard is 20 feet into which steps are allowed to project 6 feet, however, the new steps are right up to the front property line. As such, a variance for the steps will be required if, by measuring 14 feet into the required front setback, the steps are found to be higher than 6 feet. The colors for the new lattice-work and steps are Sea Foam Blue Grey, the safety rails are Safety Blue, and the trim is Black Berry Farm, all of which are consistent with the color chart recommended for use within the Kailua Village Special District. Ms. Newlon also informed the Commissioners that in addition to the design review by the Commission, the applicant was required to submit an application for a Special Management Area Assessment for the steps. The assessment was completed and it has been determined that the steps will not result in any adverse effect on the environment, and that they are exempt from the definition of development and do not require an SMA Use permit. SMA Use Permit No. 226 and Shoreline setback variance for the complex was approved by the Planning Commission public hearing on August 28, 1985. Applicant Presentation The applicant, Mr. Ogin, who is also the property manager of Waterfront Row, gave the history of the restaurant space currently leased by the Hooters restaurant. He explained to the Commission that the new staircase gives an easy access to the restaurant situated in the back of the building. Public Testimony Mr. Pappas, Corporate Licensing Director of Hooters, and their architect, Mr. Shockley, made themselves available for questions from the Commissioners. 3 Commission Discussion A discussion, including Mr. Shockley’s presentation, confirmed that the height of the steps is less than 6 feet, and therefore it was determined that a variance for the steps is not required. The Commissioners expressed their concern about the existing lattice work on each side of the stairway, and suggested for safety reasons that it should be reinforced and the top portion should be solid enough for people to sit or walk on. Mr. Shockley responded that he will make the recommendation to the owner. Action It was moved by Commissioner Saito and seconded by Commissioner Kuailani that a favorable recommendation be made to the Planning Director with the condition that the tops of the two structures on each side of the stairway shall be reinforced and made solid, and solid backing shall be placed behind the existing lattice work. The motion was unanimously carried by a roll call vote of all Commissioners present. 3. Design review of “as built” directory/ground sign and wall sign for Waterfront Row Shops and Restaurants. Applicant: INA Custom Signs; Land owner: Watumull Properties Corp. TMK: 7-5-008:009. Located on 75-5776 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI, adjacent to Hale Halawai Park. Staff Presentation Ms. Newlon briefed the Commissioners on the “as built” directory/ground sign for the Waterfront Row shops and restaurants and the wall sign for Hooters Restaurant located within Waterfront Row. With regard to the “as built” directory/ground sign, Ms. Newlon presented the following information: The applicant has made changes to their initial submittal according to comments they received from the Department of Public Works, which include removing the owl symbol and reducing the square footage of the sign to sixteen square feet or less, so the revised design before the Commission does meet the requirements of the Sign Code. The colors chosen for the sign are brown background with orange letters. The sign is double-sided. The material used is high density foam board. The directory appears to meet all of the signage criteria according to the Kailua-Kona Master Plan, in the choice of color, size, material used (similar look to wood), and lettering. The directory sign is located within the required front yard setback of 20 feet, but since the height of the sign is less than 6 feet, it can be located within the setback area. As for the wall sign installed in the inside hallway leading to Hooters Restaurant, Ms. Newlon gave the following presentation: The illuminated wall sign is made up with 20- inch high individual letters attached to the entry wooden wall – so the area behind the letters measures 9 feet 2 inches wide by 20 inches tall, which equals approximately 15 square feet. The combined area of the wall sign meets the Sign Code, however, the height of the letters exceeds the 9-inch limit and the applicant will need to submit a 4 variance application. The height of the sign is 6.75 feet from the ground floor, and is in compliance with the criteria from the Kailua-Kona Master Plan and the Sign Code. The lettering is made up of only one font and one color, orange, which appears to be their trademark color, and therefore it appears to meet the criteria. However, the applicant will have to comply with the Hawaii County Code and process an electrical permit along with the sign permit since the letters are illuminated. Ms. Newlon added that according to the Department of Public Works, there are a number of additional signs for Hooters Restaurant that the applicant will need to come in for permits or have them removed. Applicant Presentation The applicant, Mr. Impyo Hwang, was not present, and Messrs. Ogin, Pappas and Shockley continued to make themselves available for questions from the Commissioners. Public Testimony None. Commission Discussion With respect to the directory sign, the Commissioners suggested that the colors should tie in with the building and the background should be changed from brown to gray, which will be in keeping with the subject wall sign as well. Mr. Pappas responded that, although the gray color won’t correspond to Hooter’s individuality, he has no problem with presenting the recommendation to the company and having the change done by his authorization. It was also suggested by the Commissioners that the colors of other tenants’ signs on the same directory should be consistent with the main color scheme, such as white and gray. Mr. Ogin concurred that he has certain control over the matter as the property manager. As for the wall sign, the Commissioners agreed that the 20-inch lettering is reasonable considering the sign location with poor visibility. In response to the Commissioners’ inquiries, Mr. Shockley described that the sign is made up with acrylic letters that are lit by the neon light from behind. Regarding the number of signs permitted by the Sign Code, Mr. Pappas stated that he has confirmed with the Department of Public Works that the ground sign is considered to be directory and the wall sign will be their only sign, and therefore they don’t need to apply for a variance for additional signs. The Commissioners pointed out, and Mr. Pappas agreed, that all banner signs and sandwich board signs on property have to be taken down. Action It was moved by Commissioner Saito and seconded by Commissioner Au Hoy that a favorable recommendation be made to the Public Works Director with the following conditions: 5 (1) The background color (brown) of the directory sign shall be modified to match the Seafoam Gray color of the complex; (2) the directory sign shall incorporate a consistent design for the listed subtenants; and (3) all other banner signs and sandwich board signs shall be removed from the property. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes. Commissioner Ross abstained. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Commissioner Au Hoy nominated Commissioner Marone for Chairperson and Commissioner Ross for Vice Chairman. Commissioner Kuailani seconded the nominees. It was unanimously carried by voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance that the slate of Commissioners nominated be declared elected. 2. Minutes of the Meeting of January 23, 2007 It was moved by Commissioner Hope and seconded by Commissioner Au Hoy that the minutes be approved as circulated. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. 3. Correspondence & Reports Mr. Mark distributed a flyer for upcoming presentations about “Healthy, Livable Communities” by Mark Fenton, sponsored by the State Department of Health, Healthy Hawaii Initiative in cooperation with the County Planning Department. ANNOUNCEMENT th Mr. Mark announced that the meeting scheduled for March 27 has been cancelled since no applications were submitted as of the due date. Mr. Mark thanked Chair Davis, Commissioner Kuailani and Commissioner Saito for their services during their terms. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________________ PHIL DAVIS, CHAIRPERSON 6