HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-03 Kailua Village Design Commission Minutes
KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
MINUTES
Meeting Date: October 3, 2017
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: Shaun Roth, Bryant Ching, John Hetherington, Michaela Ikeuchi,
Ann Kern, Zon Sullenberger and Mark Van Pernis
Absent and Excused: Peter Dahlberg
Planning Department: Deanne Bugado (Planner), Terry Dunlap (Planner) and
Noriko Sauer (Commission Secretary)
Applicants/Representatives: Dio Pilar, Cliff Ogata and James Melrose
Public: Kehau Harrison, Michael Ikeda and Ken Melrose
A quorum was present. Vice Chairman Roth called the meeting to order and the Commissioners
introduced themselves.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the Meetings of September 5, 2017, and September 19, 2017
Vice Chairman Roth asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the meeting of
September 5, 2017. No corrections were offered, and the minutes were approved as circulated.
The Commission postponed the September 19, 2017, meeting minutes until the next meeting at the
request of the secretary.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
There was no one from the public who wished to testify on any items on the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
1. The applicant, Patty Chin, Value Rock Realty, is proposing a façade renovation, which
will include exterior renovations to the siding, a new center court and repainting to the
Kona Coast Shopping Center, located at the corner of Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and
Palani Road.
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Applicant: Patty Chin, Value Rock Realty
Landowner: Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust
TMK: (3) 7-4-015: 001
Location: 74-5588 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
The Commission took up this item at 5:18 p.m.
Mr. Dunlap displayed some site photographs, and gave a PowerPoint presentation of the
applicant’s submittal. He described the proposed renovations, and noted that the request did not
include a sign permit application. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Van Pernis regarding the
lighting in the central court area, Mr. Dunlap clarified that what he meant by “natural light” in his
presentation was defused sunlight rather than a type of artificial light.
The applicant’s representative, Dio Pilar, presented color samples, and provided additional
information on proposed design, materials and colors. He stated that he was proposing wood-look
aluminum siding as opposed to real wood, which would be too heavy for the purpose. He also
noted that the metal roof would weather better than other alternatives. With respect to the color
scheme, Mr. Pilar stated that he had selected earthy tones in general. Commissioner Van Pernis
commented that some of the existing tenant signs were bright red. Mr. Pilar responded that they
were going to take this opportunity to allow only approved signs up and take down the rest. In
response to Commissioner Roth’s question, Mr. Pilar stated that he had not seen the KFC
restaurant renovation plan, which had been reviewed by the Commission at the September 19,
2017, meeting.
Mr. Cliff Ogata, also the applicant’s representative, stated that the renovation would give a newer
beachy look to the 40-year old complex. He noted that the mauka end of the complex occupied by
Pier 1 Imports, with a different roofline, could not be touched. Upon inquiry by Commissioner
Roth, he confirmed that all existing blue metal roof would be painted over.
Commissioner Ikeuchi said that she was fond of the wood-look siding and lava rock column base,
as well as the awnings for shade. Commissioner Roth said that the center court currently did not
look like the center of the complex, but that the renovated center court would pull the whole
shopping center together. He further commented that this main building and the detached KFC
restaurant as renovated would look nice together.
It was moved by Commissioner Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Ching that the
Commission forward to the Planning Director a recommendation for approval of the proposed
project as submitted. There being no further discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken
and the motion carried with six ayes (Hetherington, Ching, Ikeuchi, Kern, Sullenberger and Van
Pernis), no noes and one absent and excused (Dahlberg).
2. The applicant, James Melrose, Paʻahana Enterprises LLC, is proposing a façade
renovation, which will include exterior renovations to the siding and repainting to the
Kuakini Shopping Center, located at the corner of Kuakini Highway and Kaiwi Street.
Applicant: James Melrose, Paʻahana Enterprises LLC
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Landowner: Lili‘uokalani Trust Estates
TMK: (3) 7-4-010: 005
Location: No street address has been assigned.
The Commission took up this item at 5:37 p.m.
Mr. Dunlap displayed some site photographs, and gave a PowerPoint presentation of the
applicant’s submittal. He noted that although the parking layout was not included in this proposal
before the Commission, the plan showed tandem parking, and that the functionality of that
arrangement would be assessed during Plan Approval process. He also noted that neither
landscaping nor signage was included in this application. Upon inquiry by Commissioner
Van Pernis, Mr. Dunlap said that he was not aware of any yellow buildings in the Kailua Village
special district.
The applicant, James Melrose, presented additional information. He also responded to
Commissioner Van Pernis’ earlier question to Mr. Dunlap about other yellow buildings in Kailua
Village, saying that the nearby Kona Brewing restaurant building was in brighter golden yellow.
He then clarified that the proposed yellow was from the Benjamin Moore Historical Color
Collection palette, which was consistent with the design guidelines of the Master Plan for
Kailua-Kona. He displayed a Benjamin Moore Historical Color Collection paint chip showing
three different shades of yellow, including the proposed one. With respect to the parking, he
stated that there was sufficient number of stalls as existed, but that the condition was in disrepair
and the lighting was unsafe. He also acknowledged that a sign permit application would be
submitted later. He added that there were some development happenings in the area, and that the
proposal was a way to also bring life to this building.
There was a further discussion on the yellow color proposed for the columns, with reference to a
comment letter submitted by Lili‘uokalani Trust, the landowner, stating that “the color yellow
symbolized royalty in Hawai‘i, and was directly associated with Queen Lili‘uokalani.”
Commissioner Van Pernis noted that the letter spoke of the yellow bird feathers that was used for
cloaks of ali‘i in old times, which in his opinion did not provide meaning of the yellow color
proposed for the project in question. In response to Commissioner Van Pernis’ question,
Mr. Melrose stated that the use of yellow was not required by Lili‘uokalani Trust, and that yellow
color itself did not identify Lili‘uokalani Trust. Commissioner Kern commented that a subtler
yellow might flow better with the other colors. Commissioner Ching said that he would also like
to see the other proposed dark colors lightened to create more of a tropical feel. Mr. Melrose
noted that the building would look different than the rendering with the mature and colorful
landscaping. He also mentioned that the building was currently blending into the background, and
that the dark color would bring it out, which would aid the effort to move away from using
colorful tenant signs to attract passers-by. Commissioner Ikeuchi expressed her support for the
proposed yellow. Commissioner Van Pernis, however, suggested that a subtler and less bright
yellow be considered. Mr. Melrose responded that the color was not presented true on the
distributed copies, and that he was confident that the color from the Historical Color Collection
palette would work well. Commissioner Kern commented that the brightness of the yellow would
wash out along with the other colors, and it would probably look fine. Commissioner Roth
pointed out that a lighter yellow would look like faded paint, and said that based on the paint chip,
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he would support the proposed yellow. He added that this, along with the Kona Brewery project,
would revitalize the whole neighborhood. Commissioner Hetherington also commented in
support that the yellow columns would give the building its character. He further said that he
would strongly encourage the landowner to work with tenants on signage so there would be
uniformity.
It was moved by Commissioner Kern and seconded by Commissioner Ikeuchi that the
Commission forward to the Planning Director a recommendation for approval of the proposed
project as submitted. There being no further discussion on the motion, a roll call vote was taken
and the motion carried with five ayes (Kern, Ikeuchi, Ching, Hetherington and Sullenberger), one
no (Van Pernis) and one absent and excused (Dahlberg).
OLD BUSINESS
1. Commission is continuing the discussion of possible creation of Investigatory Committee
to address Sign Issues in Kailua Village Special District. Discussion is to identify reasons
for committee, scope and assignment of members.
The Commission took up this item at 6:12 p.m.
Commissioner Van Pernis said that if the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) did not respond
to the Commission’s letter in the near future, the Commission would have to do something about
Sign Code enforcement. Ms. Bugado reminded the Commissioners that this agenda item was to
discuss whether or not the Commission wished to form a committee on signage issues and, if so,
to identify the purpose, scope and members, rather than to discuss communication with DPW.
Commissioner Van Pernis responded that his comment was covering the possibility of creating a
committee. Commissioner Roth recalled that no one had volunteered to become a committee
member at one of the previous meetings. Commissioner Van Pernis said that he would be willing
to serve on such a committee but not as a leading member. Commissioner Hetherington also said
that he would be willing to serve next year. Commissioner Van Pernis commented that together
with former Commissioner Theresa Andreae who had also indicated that she would be available
next year as a community member, the Commission might be able to create a three-member
committee next year.
It was moved by Commissioner Kern and seconded by Commissioner Hetherington that the
Commission postpone this matter until the first meeting of 2018. There being no further
discussion on the motion, a voice vote was taken and the motion carried with Commissioner
Van Pernis abstaining.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next meeting tentatively scheduled for November 7, 2017.
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Mr. Dunlap stated that there were no applications for the regularly scheduled October 17, 2017,
meeting, and therefore, the next meeting would be on November 7, 2017.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Vice Chairman Roth adjourned the meeting at 6:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Noriko Sauer, Secretary
A T T E S T:
Shaun Roth, Vice Chairman
Kailua Village Design Commission
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