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Kula Community Association
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Position Statement on Upcountry Christian Fellowship Church Sign Upgrade (Adopted by Kula Community Association Board of Directors on January 4, 2001) Kula Community Association(KCA) Board of Directors has taken this position on the Sign upgrade application submitted by the Upcountry Christian Fellowship (UCF) Church to the Board of Variances and Appeals (BVA), following a review by a committee formed to investigate the impact of the new signage. 1. KCA Board of directors object to the proposed signage upgrade by UCF. The proposed wall mounted , two sided, internally illuminated plastic sign at the gateway to Kula near the �Five Tree� intersection is out of character with the KCA�s long held vision that the Kula/Upcountry areas shall be maintained to have a rural/residential ambiance. 2. The church sign as proposed violates the policies contained in the Community plan and its general philosophy of keeping the rural areas of the County scenic. Furthermore, it may set an unintended precedent that would serve to escalate �sign competition� throughout Kula�s rural and agricultural communities, adversely impacting the scenic vistas and rural atmosphere. The current Maui County Sign Ordinance, Chapter 16.12A, in its Purpose and Intent Paragraph, states �Regulation will help retain the county�s unique visual and aesthetic qualities for its residents and visitors �..�. 3. We understand that a draft of a new sign ordinance has been under review by the Maui County Planning Commission for some time now. This new document under its purpose and intent (Sec. 16.12.010, Para I) specifically states that �The indiscriminate erection and maintenance of large signs seriously detract from the enjoyment and pleasure of the natural scenic beauty of the County which in turn has a detrimental effect on the Visitor industry and thereby the economic well being of the County�. This proposed new document may not be enforceable at this time but the Board of Variance must not allow signage that will violate the spirit of the new sign ordinance. The new proposed document, in Paragraphs 16.12.090 and 16.12.100 also specifies the requirements for signs allowed in Agricultural and Rural districts and in Public and Quasi-public districts. 4. The KCA Board of Directors disagree with the proposed materials and illumination methods proposed for the new sign by the UCF as well. Kulamalu Village, a new community being planned near the UCF church has developed signage design guidelines for their use. We the Board of Directors of KCA believe that a ground sign based on similar guidelines will be suitable for the UCF church and will be better received by the community. 5. KCA Board of Directors suggests that the following conditions (In addition to those recommended by the Planning Department) be implemented in the design of the new signage at UCF church. Size: Sign shall be kept as small as practical but must not exceed 32 square feet in area. Height: Top of sign shall be no more than 3 feet(?) higher than the current height of Lava rock wall. Materials: Sign shall be made of wood and/or metal. No Plastic or other similar materials. Illumination: Lighting should be indirect from shielded fixtures screened by landscaping elements and not internal. Landscaping: An appropriately sized area (2 Times the sign area) around the new sign shall be planted tastefully.
We appreciate your consideration of this important matter and seek your assistance in supporting both the spirit and intent of the Upcountry Community Plan and our County�s Ordinances. 12/26/00 |
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