Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12042008 Planning & Zoning MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Mirmtes December 4, 2007 Volume 6, Page 2 3 6 Call to order The December 4, 2007 Re-Scheduled Regular Meeting of the Sewazd Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m, by Vice Chair Kevin Clark. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Roach' led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Kevin Clark presiding, and Sue McClure Sandie Roach' Margaret Anderson comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, Planning Assistant Anne Bailey, Executive Liaison Absent was: Marianna Keil -Excused Bob Hicks- Excused City Administration Report Planning Assistant, Donna Glenz updated the Commission of the following business items: • Commissioner Bob Hicks was hired to fill the new Community Development Director position. Hicks was scheduled to begin January 7, 2008 • Interviews for the Harbor Master were scheduled begin this week. • Iditazod Days 2008 celebration was scheduled for February and a lay down had been provided with anniversary celebration information. • The New Years Eve Ball preparation was occurring and due to costs and insurance fireworks would not take place. • The January P&Z meeting was scheduled for Thursday, January 3, 2008 rather than Tuesday due to the New Yeazs Holiday. • Wished the Commissioners a Happy Holiday. In response to Roach', Glenz stated there were no new reports for interpretation and abatement. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2007 Yolume 6, Page 2 3 7 Other Reports, Announcements & Fresentations -None. Citizens' Comments on any subject ezcept those items scheduled for Public Hearing -None Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda - Motion (Anderson/McClure) Approve the Agenda and the Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous Consent The following items were approved under the Consent Agenda: November 20, 2007 Re-Scheduled Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing -None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing RESOLUTION 2007-20 OF THE SEWARD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO THE CTTY OF SEWARD TO CONSTRUCT AND MANAGE THE OPERATION OF THE LONG TERM CARE FACILITY ON TRACT D, SEWARD LONG TERM CARE FACILITY SUBDIVISION, U.S.S. 1864 (PRELIMINARY PLAT), WITHIN THE INSTTTUTIONAL ZONING DISTRICT Clark reviewed the Council Rules of Procedure for Public Hearings. Glenz reviewed the details of Resolution 2007-20. She stated on November 13, 2007 a public Work Session was held to review the site plan and design layout of the proposed Long Term Care Facility. Glenz explained the architects amended the landscape plan to include additional screening due to the Commissions request. She stated the public hearing requirements had been met. Staff supported the Conditional Use Permit and recommended the approval of Resolution 2007-20. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Jonathan Sewall, 2403 Dimond Boulevazd, stated he supported the greenhouse concept but it was not right for this situation. He referred to page 5 section E of the packet. He quoted the statement in regards to "Extensive planning and study had gone into the planned traffic routes..." and stated that evidence did not support the statement. r.. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2007 Volume 6, Page 2 3 8 Carol Griswold, Inside City Limits, discussed her concern that children might be dropped off in the cul-de-sac near the Long Term Care Facility and the possibility of traffic issues in the morning and afternoon. Griswold noted she had spoken with Kevin Lyons, Kenai Peninsula Borough property management, about incorporating a trail that might run parallel to the facility and encouraged something that was convenient, more attractive on the school side. She encouraged that vehicles be prohibited and the use of signage. She asked about the emergency access and how it connected to the cul-de-sac, discussed snow storage. She thanked the Commission for their hazd work. No one else requested to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Anderson /Roach') Approve Resolution 2007-20 In response to Anderson, Glenn stated that the electric utilities were to be underground and that she did represent the City. In further response to Anderson, Glenn stated the pazcel which contained the facility was 8 acres; she stated the 9.1 acre reference in the Council Resolution included the future Oak Street Extension right-of--way. In response to Anderson,' Glenn stated each individual housing unit provided a handicap pazking space and that visitor parking was to be provided with access to the individual houses. Roach' wmmended the architects for the including the additional screening. She thanked Glenn for including this in the Conditional Use Permit and stated that it was the Commissions job to do everything they could to protect the children. She referred to page 5 section E and stated there had been a study but not a finding about the minimal impact traffic would have on the surrounding area. She asked Glenn for clarification. Glenn replied there had not been an official study but an unofficial study, which considered a two-car family for the surrounding azea and the possible development and cars of the area to the North. She stated there had been three work sessions with this information provided to the public however she did not have the exact count information with her. Roach' discussed removing the extensive planning and study statement on page S section E. Motion (Roach'/Anderson) Amend Resolution 2007-20, Section E. Delete the fifth sentence "Extensive planning and study have gone into the planned traffic routes to and from the facility and it is believed that the LTCF will have minimal traffic impacts to the surrounding neighborhood" and replace with: "Traffic impact to the surrounding City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2007 Volume 6, Page 2 3 9 neighborhood has been studied but is unknown at this time." Motion Passed Unanimous In response to Anderson, Glenz stated two additional residencies had been discussed for future development. She also stated there was not room for a future hospital on the site. Clark stated that there was a risk that the cul-de-sac could become a safety concern and he discussed the possible risks. In response to Clark, Glenz stated the ski trail was to be preserved and that she was not familiar with how much tree barrier was between the trail and the cul-de-sac. She stated she would discuss this with the architect and encourage them develop some type of barrier in the area of concern. The Commission expressed their concerns that children being dropped off in the cul-de-sac might become a problem and discussed creating a condition that would require some sort of physical barrier be placed in the area of concern. The Commission suspended the rules to allow the public to speak. Griswold suggested a 5 mph speed limit neaz the LTCF and have a guardrail placed in the area of concern. She stated there was a level area next to the fence that would encourage children to walk next to the fence and stated that screening was important. She suggested that a break be placed in the guardrail at the north end of the school property which would provide easy access to the sidewalk. Roach' clarified that the school district owned the fence that was currently in place. Roach' stated that she did like the 5 mph requirement. In response to Roach', Glenz stated that she did not know if there were speed limit requirements in parking lots. She continued that this would be aone-way traffic in and one-way traffic out private driveway/ parking lot. Clark stated that he was okay with the public use idea but was concerned with the volume of traffic in the morning and afternoon. In response to Clazk, Glenz stated that there was not a way to enforce a speed limit since it was private property. McClure stated that she did not see the magnitude of this problem. Anderson stated this would be a Seward public facility and that the city would be able to come up with traffic restrictions and address the problem and issues should any become apparent. City ofSewarc~ Alaska Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2007 Volume 6, Page 2 4 0 Clark clarified that Anderson suggested that there was no need to place any restrictions at this time. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2007 Volume 6, Page 2 4 2 Anderson congratulated Bailey on her new daughter and thanked her for helping out. She hoped the Commission would try to recruit new board members. She discussed political signs and asked to get this back for discussion in 2008. In response to Anderson, Glenn replied that Bob Hicks would begin his new position on January 7, 2008 and that his first duty was to be complete the code revision and the political sign topic would be considered during the code revision. Roach' echoed everyone's comments, thanked the public for attending and Clark for acting as the chair. Clark encouraged filling the two Planning and Zoning vacancies and announced that the Flood Service Board had a city representation vacancy. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and asked what the Community Development Director responsibilities would be. Glenn replied it was her understanding the first project was to finish the code revisions, then project management and many other areas as directed by the City Manager. She stated the Planner would still be in charge of the planning area and her position was considered an executive assistant. Citizens' Comments -None Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments -None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Ann Bailey, Executive Liaison / ~ 7 /' i % ~ 4 Kevin Clark Vice-Chair M~~1~~NI~~, ~,.~'` of sFq,•~,,,~ (Cit ~~o~oR~•.~~ _ •,, City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Mimetes December 4, 2007 Volume 6, Page 2 4 I Vote on Main Motion Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business - Noae New Business - Approve 2008 Planning and Zoning meeting schedule and public hearing cut- off dates Glenn reviewed the regular scheduled Planning & Zoning meetings and the scheduled special meetings/work sessions and referenced the known conflicts. She stated staffrecommended the Commission review and approve by motion the 2008 Planning & Zoning meeting schedule and public hearing cut off date. Motion (McClnre/Anderson) Approve 2008 Planning and Zoning meeting schedule and public hearing cut- ofTdates. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Choose a topic or cancel the December 18, 2007 work session Glenn stated there had not been a public hearing item submitted for the December 18, 2007 work session or meeting. She stated the date would be a work session and due to the holidays staff recommended the Commission cancel the work session. She stated if the Commission decided to hold the Work Session a topic would need to be selected. Motion (AndersonlMcClure) Motion Passed Informational Items - Cancel the December 18, 2007 Work Session Unanimous Consent Reminder of January meeting scheduled on Thursday 1/3/2008 Commission Comments - McClure wished everyone a Happy Holiday and mentioned the New Years Eve Ball. Ciry of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2007 Volume 6, Page 2 4 2 Anderson con~atulated Bailey on her new daughter and thanked her for helping out. She hoped the Commission would try to recruit new board members. She discussed political signs and asked to get this back for discussion in 2008. In response to Anderson, Glenz replied that Bob Hicks would begin his new position on January 7, 2008 and that his first duty was to be complete the code revision and the political sign topic would be considered during the code revision. Roach' echoed everyone's comments, thanked the public for attending and Clark for acting as the chair. Clark encouraged filling the two Planning and Zoning vacancies and announced that the Flood Service Board had a city representation vacancy. He wished everyone a Meng Christmas and asked what the Community Development Director responsibilities would be. Glenz replied it was her understanding the first project was to furish the code revisions, then project management and many other areas as directed by the City Manager. She stated the Planner would still be in charge of the planning area and her position was considered an executive assistant. Citizens' Comments -None Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments -None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Ann Bailey, Executive Liaison Kevin Clark Vice-Chair .-.- - s ~ SEAL • ,._ OF A __.