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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20071127 KVDC Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION MINUTES MEETING DATE: November 27, 2007 TIME: 5:00 p.m. PLACE: The Mayor’s Office Conference Room, Suite 103 Hanama Place Office Building in Kailua Village ROLL CALL 1. Members Present: Theresa Andreae, Fanny Collins Au Hoy, Stephen Herbert, Cynthia Hope, Sally Marone and David Ross, Jr. 2. Applicants/Representatives: Wynn Yamada and Michael Okamoto 3. Staff Present: Bennett Mark, Rosalind Newlon, Rusty Becker and Noriko Sauer 4. Public: None The Chair welcomed those in attendance, and the Commissioners introduced themselves. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS 1. Design review of a Sign Permit for All Islands Timeshare Resales. Applicant: Philip Martin of All Islands Timeshares Resales. Land owner: Edmund S P/B C Wong Trust. TMK: 7-5-006:010. Located at 75-5699 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (next to the Banyan Tree Mall). Mr. Mark and Ms. Newlon stated that the application cannot be reviewed by the Commission at this time due to the fact there is too much advertising on the proposed sign, which is in violation of the Sign Code that only allows the name of the business and the telephone number. 2. Design review of a Sign Permit for ‘Ilima Court (formerly known as the North Kona Shopping Center). Applicant: Nathan Nitahara of Pacific Sign and Graphics, Inc. Land owner: ARPI North Kona, LLC and Liliuokalani Trust. TMK: 7-4-010:039. Located at 74-5629 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Staff Presentation Ms. Newlon oriented the Commissioners of the subject and surrounding properties on a location map. She said the applicant is proposing to install two directory sings – one at the Palani Road entrance and the other at the Kuakini Highway entrance – and one ground sign at the pedestrian entrance off of Palani Road. She noted, however, that their current Sign Variance No. 10 issued on February 13, 1997, has a condition that requires them to eliminate their directory sign at the Kuakini Highway entrance; therefore only 1 one directory sign and one ground sign off of Palani Road would be permitted unless the applicant were to request an amendment to the variance, which would be considered and require approval by the County Council. Ms. Newlon described the proposed directory sign. She said that the square footage of the sign needs to be reduced to comply with Section 3-58(a)(1)(B) of the Sign Code that limits the size to 22 square feet, but added that the height of the lettering, as well as the flower symbol, is within the 9-inch maximum limit. She mentioned the materials include a 2-foot by 3-foot wooden frame and ½-inch corian board with vinyl letters. Ms. Newlon also described the proposed ground sign. She said that although the square footage of the sign itself meet the Sign Code requirements, the height needs to be reduced by approximately 6 inches to ensure that the symbol is not higher than 5 ½ feet from the finished grade to comply with Section 3-59(a)(2). She also said that pursuant to Section 3-58(c), the symbol needs to be reduced in height to 9-inch maximum, whereas the height of the letters is in compliance. She mentioned the materials are wooden posts and sand blasted redwood that is painted for the header. Ms. Newlon indicated that the proposed signs are consistent with the Kailua-Kona Master Plan guidelines. She mentioned, and the applicant’s representatives affirmed, that no illumination is proposed. Applicant/Representative Presentation Wynn Yamada, project manager for the shopping center renovation, introduced himself and Michael Okamoto who is the owners’ representative and property manager. They presented renderings of the building and landscape plans to the Commission. Mr. Yamada stated that they are putting over 1.5 million dollars into the renovation, that for signage they want to remove the existing sandwich boards and banners once the new directory signs are approved; basically they want to make it a nice place for the residents and tourists. He added that they have cleaned up the property and worked on the roof and façade, and they will be starting the rest of the work shortly since the permits are ready. Mr. Okamoto added that big part of the project is to clean up the center and give it a new look, as well as getting exposure primarily by improving the signage. Public Testimony There was no one from the public wishing to testify on this agenda item. Commission Discussion Commissioner Andreae expressed her concern about the readability of the names of the shops on the directory sign, and asked whether the lettering size could be larger. Ms. Newlon said that it can be up to 9-inch high, but there isn’t enough room for that size. Mr. Okamoto mentioned that there have to be enough slots for 23 leasable spaces. Commissioner Herbert asked for clarification on the applicant’s need to go before the County Council for the sign to be placed on Kuakini Highway, since it is allowed under 2 the Sign Code. Mr. Mark clarified that the need is to delete one of the conditions of the existing variance; so the need is actually to amend the variance. Chair Marone mentioned the previous owner might have given up their Kuakini Highway signage in order for the individual shops to have two signs of their own. Commissioner Andrea then raised a question whether there would be more signs than the Code allows, if they are successful in amending the variance. Commissioner Ross noted that the variance issue is not before the Commission at this time. In response to Commissioner Au Hoy’s question as to how the names on the directory sign can be replaced, Mr. Yamada said that they are made of vinyl letters which can be removed and replaced. Chair Marone pointed out that they might lose the space for 4 names since the square footage of the sign must be reduced to meet the Sign Code; and the representatives affirmed that will be no problem. Chair Marone asked the applicant’s representatives if they would guarantee all the sandwich board/ banner signs will be removed once the proposed signs are approved; and the applicant’s representatives said that the current directory doesn’t give the exposure the tenants are looking for and the sandwich boards/banners are the only choice they have to get more exposure now, but once the proposed signs are up at those locations, it should take care of the issue. The applicant’s representatives said that the tenants are aware of what the owner wants to do. Commissioner Ross asked if they would consider putting some kind of sign agreement in place for everyone to sign; they responded that they have seen rules and regulations with respect to the signage that are part of the lease agreements from the previous owner’s time, and it should be easy to distribute a sign agreement that amends the current lease rules. Commissioner Ross added, and the applicant’s representatives agreed, that this should help their and the County’s sign enforcement efforts. Commissioner Hope at this time complimented the representatives on the work they are doing on the property, including the landscaping cleanup, and commented they are doing a great job and it is going to be beautiful. Chair Marone inquired as to the size of the ground sign in relation to the existing one, and Mr. Yamada responded that they are supposed to be the same size. Commissioner Andreae repeated her concern regarding the readability of the directory signs, and recommended they find a way to increase the letter size; she asked if, for example, the size of their logo “Ilima Court” could be reduced in order to give more room to the directory portion. She also asked whether the individual signs on the façade will be integrated into the signage scheme; and Mr. Yamada confirmed this, and directed the Commission’s attention to their rendering that showed that this is part of the upgrading of the entire project. He also confirmed that the signs on the façade will consist of only sign for each shop, outside of the directory signs. The Commissioners further discussed the sign agreement suggested earlier; Chair Marone mentioned that the Commission wants to make sure that promises made to the Commission by applicants are carried through. Commissioner Ross suggested that a copy of the sign agreement be kept in the Planning Department’s file. 3 In response to Commissioner Au Hoy’s request, Mr. Yamada briefly went over their landscaping plan. He confirmed they are not going to remove the existing monkeypod trees; rather, they have cut some lower branches off and raised the canopy to get some view. He also mentioned that they have repaired the stairs and repaved the whole parking lot, and that they have cleared a lot of landscaping where homeless people were living. In response to Commissioner Hope’s query regarding calculation method of the square footage of the directory signs, Ms. Newlon confirmed that the void space on either side of the arc on top is not counted in. Chair Marone raised a question whether the applicant will have to come back before the Commission for the request to amend the variance. After a discussion, it was agreed by the Commissioners that the Commission is prepared to support the application as submitted, which is for two directory signs and a ground sign; however, this recommendation is subject to the applicant’s having the sign variance condition removed by the County Council. Mr. Mark clarified that with this being the Commission’s recommendation, the applicant doesn’t have to bring the matter to the Commission again. The Commissioners expressed their gratitude to the owner for taking the initiative for improving the appearance of the Kailua-Kona downtown area. Action It was moved by Commissioner Ross and seconded by Commissioner Au Hoy to recommend to the Public Works Director the approval of the sign application as submitted, with the following conditions and recommendation: 1. Applicant shall make changes to the design of the signs, as recommended and required by the Planning Department staff, including the reduction of height of the symbol of the ground sign, to be consistent with what is allowed by the current Sign Code. 2. Applicant and/or the building owners shall institute and implement a sign agreement, between the building owners and the tenants, specifying what is and what is not allowed, and shall forward a copy of that sign agreement to the Public Works Director and the Planning Director. 3. Applicant shall have the building owners make it known to the tenants that there is a sign agreement, and that sandwich board signs, banner signs, and any other signs that are not permissible by the County Sign Code are not allowed per the sign agreement. The Commission recommends that the applicant, in order to increase legibility of the names of the tenants on the directory sign, increase the height of the lettering to 2-1/2 inches, where possible. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with five ayes (Ross, Au Hoy, Andreae, Herbert and Hope). 4 ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1. Minutes of the Meeting of August 28, 2007 – It was moved by Commissioner Au Hoy and seconded by Commissioner Herbert that the minutes be approved as circulated. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. 2. Discussion with Deputy Managing Director on recruitment for new KVDC Commissioners – Deputy Managing Director was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Mark reported that 18 applications are being processed, and the Mayor’s recommendation will be sent to the County Council for final decision. A question about the possibility of the retiring Commissioners to stay until they are replaced was raised, and Mr. Mark informed them that the Corporation Counsel is reviewing the Code to determine whether they can stay only up to three months or until replacements are found. In response to Chair Marone’s suggestion, Mr. Mark said he will ask the Mayor to send a letter to each of the retiring Commissioners, formally inviting them to stay for a longer period. The Commission requested Mr. Mark to re-agendize this item for the next meeting. 3. Correspondence and Reports – Meeting schedule for Year 2008 was handed out to and accepted by the Commissioners. ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. Mark announced that the Commission’s annual dinner is tentatively scheduled for December 11, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. following the meeting. However, it was agreed by all Commissioners to change the date to January 22, 2008. Commissioner Ross at this time asked if this was appropriate time for him to report to the Commission regarding the 2007 Hawaii Congress of Planning Officials Conference he attended as a representative of the Commission in September, and also on the letter he personally wrote to the Planning Director concerning the parking ordinance amendment. Per Mr. Mark’s suggestion, Commissioner Ross said that he will provide the Chair with a copy of his letter, and asked her to agendize a discussion on parking issue. The Commissioners agreed that the matter be placed on the January 22, 2008, meeting agenda and the Planning Director be invited to attend. With the Chair’s approval, Commissioner Ross reported that the Hawaii Congress of Planning thth Officials Conference was held from September 26 through the 28 with planning professionals from all over the state attending, and the theme of the Conference was “Sustainability”. He talked about presentation made by people from Vancouver and Portland, which are two leading cities on this topic, regarding their implementation of the idea of sustainability. He also talked about a workshop he attended, concerning the way one particular affordable housing project in Waikoloa is being developed and how to sustain the affordability. He said that parking was one of the areas the Vancouver and Portland representatives addressed, and added that he mentioned that in his letter to the Planning Director. He concluded his report by saying it’s interesting to think about what sustainability means for Kailua Village; how you create a village where people can walk around and less parking is required, and achieve step toward sustainability. 5 Chair Marone at this time raised a question as to what recourse the Commission has with regard to recommendations it makes on sign applications; she mentioned a Luhia Street project where the applicant didn’t follow through his agreement to remove all illegal sandwich boards and banners. After a discussion and input from Mr. Mark, the Commissioners agreed that a letter be sent to the Public Works Director regarding the particular case of the Luhia Street project, as well as requesting someone appropriate from the Department of Public Works to attend a future meeting to discuss sign enforcement within the Kailua Village Special District. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 6:35 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Ross and seconded by Commissioner Herbert that the meeting be adjourned. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. Respectfully submitted, Noriko Sauer, Secretary A T T E S T: Sally Marone, Chair Kailua Village Design Commission 6