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Home My WebLink About2016-12-06 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES Meeting Date: December 6, 2016 Time: 5:15 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: Peter Dahlberg, Alvin Akina, Jr., Theresa Andreae, Ann Kern, Shaun Roth, Zon Sullenberger and Mark Van Pernis Absent and Excused: Fanny Au Hoy Planning Department: Keola Childs (Planner), Terry Dunlap (Planner) and Noriko Sauer (Commission Secretary) Applicant/Representative: Christopher Jacobs (Discount Signs) Public: None A quorum was present. Chair Dahlberg called the meeting to order. The Commissioners introduced themselves. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Minutes of the Meeting of November 1, 2016 Chair Dahlberg asked if there were any corrections to the minutes. No corrections were offered. The Chair assumed the motion to approve and the motion passed by unanimous consent. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS There was no one from the public in attendance. NEW BUSINESS 1. H & R Block Enterprises, LLC, is requesting sign approval for their suite in the Office Building located at 75-5759 Kuakini Highway #101 & 102, Kailua-Kona, HI. This building is located at the Century 21 All Islands Plaza, located on the south eastern corner of Hualalai Road and Kuakini Highway mauka of the 76 Gas Station. (COR-16-108253) The wall sign has the following characteristics:  Maximum letter and logo (Block) size are 9 inches  Maximum area is 7 sq. ft. 1 Applicant: H & R Block Enterprises LLC \[Chris Jacobs, Discount Signs\] Landowner: Kalama Land Company, LLC Lessee: H & R Block Enterprises LLC TMK: (3) 7-5-008: 015 Location: 75-5759 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Mr. Dunlap displayed site photographs to familiarize the Commissioners with the subject property, which showed the applicant’s temporary signage banner mounted on the proposed location. He said that the size of the logo on the banner was approximately the same as that of the proposed permanent sign. He noted that the proposal was straightforward and appeared to meet the Sign Code. The applicant, Christopher Jacobs from Discount Signs, presented a color sample of the primary green color, and said that he wanted to make sure that the proposed sign was in compliance. In response to the Commissioners’ questions about the illumination, Mr. Jacobs said that each channel letter would have white LED lights on the backer, illuminating the translucent face from behind, and that the illumination would stay on for 24 hours unless shut off manually or put on a timer. Commissioner Andreae also asked about a remark on the shop drawing, calling for “primary power by others within 10’ of sign.” Mr. Jacobs explained that a separate power source would have to be wired for the signage and that would have to be done by a licensed electrician rather than the sign maker. It was moved by Commissioner Roth and seconded by Commissioner Kern that the Commission recommend the Public Works Director’s approval of the proposed wall sign as submitted. Commissioner Andreae observed that the placement of the temporary banner was too high, which made it appear to be pointing to the upstairs. Mr. Jacobs confirmed that the permanent sign would be mounted lower as shown on the plan drawing. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried with six ayes (Roth, Kern, Akina, Andreae, Sullenberger and Van Pernis) and one absent and excused (Au Hoy). OLD BUSINESS 1. SIGNS WITHIN THE KAILUA VILLAGE: Continue general discussion on the sign code, the Commission’s role and the enforcement of the sign code. This agenda item was a follow-up to the Commission’s action at the November 1, 2016, meeting, which had been to direct and empower Chair Dahlberg and Commissioner Andreae to draft a letter to transmit to the Planning Director to disseminate to the County Council and the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) regarding signs and sign enforcement within the Kailua Village. Chair Dahlberg apologized that the draft letter was not ready for the Commission’s review at this time, and asked if there was any further discussion on this matter. Commissioner Van Pernis said that he would like the letter to be signed by all Commissioners rather than only by the Chair. He also said that he would prefer that the letter be sent directly to the County Council so as to be sure that they receive it. Mr. Childs commented that since the County Code specified that the Commission 2 was to make recommendations to the Planning Director or the Director of DPW, as the case may be, it would be more appropriate to send it through them. Mr. Dunlap presented a photograph of signs that appeared to be in violation of the Sign Code, which had been found on the particular building façade that the H&R Block sign was proposed to be mounted on \[Agenda Item No. 1\]. He clarified that the purpose of the photograph was not to discuss the particular case, but to show an example of the signage situation in the Kailua Village. Messrs. Dunlap and Childs also mentioned other businesses in the Kailua Village special district, whose signs were potentially in violation, including Lex Brodies, American Savings Bank and Famous Footwear. The consensus was that the lack of enforcement was contributing to the differences in awareness of the Sign Code among the businesses, and that they should be better informed and educated. Regarding the letter to be sent to the County Council, Commissioner Roth opined that although the Commission’s authority was limited to the Kailua Village special district, it would be unfair to single out the district and the corresponding council members, and that enforcement of the Sign Code should apply throughout the County. Mr. Childs commented that the County was increasingly recognizing special areas and the need to designate them as special district as in the case of the Kailua Village and the Pāhoa Village. Chair Dahlberg said that the Commission should go on record as disapproving what was happening with commercial signs in the Kailua Village, which could be the starting point of the letter. In response to questions about the Commission’s past discussions on this topic, Messrs. Childs and Dunlap said that numerous discussions had been held several years ago regarding possible revisions to the Sign Code, including a PowerPoint presentation by representatives from DPW in May 2011. Commissioner Andreae commented that it looked as though the pending amendment was being used as an excuse for non-enforcement, and that there was no reason for DPW to wait in order to enforce the current code. Commissioners Kern and Andreae accepted the task of drafting the letter for the Commission to review at a future meeting. After a short discussion about their availability and procedural matters, the Commissioners agreed that the follow-up business was to be placed on the agenda for the January 24, 2017, meeting, even if there were no other items to be agendized, and that the draft letter was to be emailed to the commission secretary, who would in turn distribute copies to the Commissioners as a part of the meeting packet and also make it available to public inspection once agendized. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2017 It was moved by Commissioner Kern and seconded by Commissioner Van Pernis that Peter Dahlberg and Shaun Roth be re-elected as chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements. 3 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 6:15 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Van Pernis and seconded by Commissioner Roth that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote. Respectfully submitted, Noriko Sauer, Secretary A T T E S T: Peter Dahlberg, Chairman Kailua Village Design Commission 4