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Home My WebLink About04082012 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 3, 2012 Volume 6, Page 4 7 2 ism Call to Order The April 3, 2012 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:20 p.m. by Chair Roach'. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Ecklund led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Sandie Roach' presiding, and Dale Butts Cindy Ecklund Tena Morgan comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Ron Long, Assistant City Manager ..• Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • The City Building Department had received several building permit applications, including a new single family home at the corner of Jefferson Street and Ballaine Boulevard, a remodel of the Kimberly Court Apartments and roofing repair at the high school and elementary school. • The Parks and Recreation Department was scheduled to hold the annual Pink Cheeks Triathlon on May 5. • The first cruise ship of the year was slated to be in port on April 11. • The Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance had been working with the City of Seward to restore the bank vegetation along lower Scheffler Creek. • The City had received a $350,000 hazard mitigation grant from FEMA for a Dairy Hill drainage project. • The City was continuing to work toward the removal of a tax foreclosure property in Crawford Subdivision along Resurrection River. The property would become floodplain conservation lands. • Community Development staff had been working with the Seward / Bear Creek Flood Service Board to prepare a public information mailing. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 3, 2012 Volume 6, Page 473 Assistant City Manager Ron Long also updated the Commission on the following items: imegi • The proposed new U.S. Coast Guard building project was moving forward, and the old building near North Harbor Street was slated for removal. The Coast Guard was continuing to make property lease payments to the City. • Foundation work on the library museum project was to begin soon, with the stocking of construction materials at the founder's monument parking lot. A crane would be staged along Sixth Avenue for a portion of the construction and traffic patterns may be altered. • The City Administration was working with the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home to transfer the property from City ownership to the organization. • Polar Seafoods was exploring the possibility of constructing a bunkhouse in the Seward Marine Industrial Center. Commissioners further discussed the proposed projects. Commissioner Butts asked Administration whether any hazardous materials may need to be disposed of as part of the old Coast Guard building demolition. City Building Official Dave Squires, who was asked to respond, explained that the contractor was required to apply for a City demolition permit and was required to note what kinds of material were involved. n ..r Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations — None t Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items scheduled for Public Hearing — None Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Ecklund/Butts) Approve the Agenda and the Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: December 6, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — None Special Items Election of Chair and Vice -Chair Roach' opened the floor to accept nominations for Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Ecklund nominated Roach' for Chair. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 3, 2012 Volume 6, Page 4 7 4 imum Motion (Ecklund /Butts) Close the nominations for Chair and elect Commissioner Roach' as Chair for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Roach' opened the floor to accept nominations for Vice -Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Morgan nominated Ecklund for Vice - Chair. Motion (Morgan/Butts) Close the nominations for Vice -Chair and elect Cindy Ecklund as Vice -Chair for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2012 -01, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the preliminary replat of Lots 15 -19, Block 8, Original Townsite of Seward, Johnson Replat, creating one lot to be known as Lot 15A, located at the kivim northwest intersection of Railway Avenue and Sixth Avenue, 510 Railway Avenue Glenz noted the history of the applicant's previously planned replat of the property into two parcels. The property owner opted to create one lot, and was additionally requesting a rezone. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Seward resident Carol Griswold expressed concerns that the Central Business Zoning District does not require on -site parking and parking along the streets in that area may become more congested. There were no more requests to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Ecklund/Morgan) Approve Resolution 2012 -01 Morgan commented that she did not want concerns about parking to discourage any future development. Ecklund said the Commission was currently reviewing City parking regulations and the lb„„ timing was good if the public wanted to provide input. Butts asked if property owner had changed the plan for development. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 3, 2012 Volume 6, Page 475 j Glenz said the property owner at one point expressed interest in possibly operating a restaurant, but had not provided further details. Ecklund pointed out that the City Land Use Plan indicated that all of Block 8 should be zoned Central Business District. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2012 -02, of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending City Council approval of the rezoning of Lots 15 and 16, Block 8, Original Townsite of Seward from Auto Commercial (AC) to Central Business District (CBD), and Lots 26, 27 and 28, Block 8, Original Townsite, from Multi Family (R3) to Central Business District (CBD) Glenz pointed out the location of the proposed zoning actions, referring to the City Zoning Map and the City Land Use Plan Map. One property owner on Block 8 opted to not be included in the rezone to Central Business District. Another resident had expressed concerns about parking that might occur in front of private property, Glenz stated. No other public comments were received, Glenz said. In response to Butts, Glenz noted the property not included in the rezone contains the former Government Cable Office, which is a historic building that served as a telegraph office and is currently a single family home. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. There were no requests to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Ecklund/Morgan) Approve Resolution 2012 -02 Ecklund asked Administration about the platting process for Lots 15 and 16, Block 8. Glenz explained the Kenai Peninsula Borough had final platting authority and the platting action to incorporate the parcels into a single parcel may take several months. Butts said he was pleased by the effort to bring more consistent zoning to Block 8. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2012 -03 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, r Alaska, recommending City Council approve the official naming of the newly constructed north forest acres drive surface, as Dieckgraeff Road; located within the City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 3, 2012 Volume 6, Page 47 6 public access easement on Tract B, Dieckgraeff - Gillespie Replat; located at 2501 Seward Highway Glenz stated the official road naming must be by Resolution of the City Council or by a platting action. Resolution 2011 -12 came before the Commission in November, 2011 and the recommended name was Levee Road. The Commission amended the Resolution changing the recommendation to Dieckgraeff Road and the recommendation was forwarded to City Council. City Council referred the resolution back to the Planning and Zoning Commission to hold a public hearing and reevaluate the Dieckgraeff Road name recommendation. Glenz further explained the Kenai Peninsula Borough street naming criteria. Ecklund asked Administration who originally brought forward the resolution for a naming recommendation. In response to Ecklund Glenz noted the original recommendation of Levee Road was brought forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission for support. The naming of a road within the City Limits had to go before Council for approval and the intention was to note the support of the Planning & Zoning Commission. Commissioners further discussed the merits of the proposed road name and the possible actions that could be taken. lbw Long stated that City Council wanted the public to have the ability to comment on the suggested name change from Levee Road to Dieckgraeff Road. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Seward resident Carol Griswold stated she had not known the Commission planned to amend the recommendation changing the proposed road name when the Levee Road resolution came before the Commission. Griswold appreciated the opportunity to express her concerns with the name change and read a letter of support for the name Levee Road. There were no more requests to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Butts/Morgan) Approve Resolution 2012 -03 Butts commented that the proposed name of Dieckgraeff Road was appropriate and meaningful and supported moving it forward to Council. Commissioners further discussed the suggested name and the history of naming Seward ..t roads or streets after individuals who made contributions to the community. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April3, 2012 Volume 6, Page 477 Resolution 2012 -04 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending City Council amend portions of Seward City Code 15.10.140 Definitions Glenz explained the history of the proposed Seward City Code changes. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. There were no requests to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Ecklund/Butts) Approve Resolution 2012 -04 Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2012 -05 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending the City Council amend various sections of the Seward City Code to include portions of 15.10.220 Development Requirements Table; 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed; and 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed Table Glenz explained the history of the proposed Title 15 Code changes and results of the joint wati work session held with City Council on January 17, 2012. In response to Ecklund, Glenz stated the internal process for public hearing items required three weeks of lead time before an item could come before City Council for introduction. The Commission requested that the internal processes be reviewed to possibly allow required items to come before City Council in a shorter period. Long said he would review the required deadlines for agenda items. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. There were no requests to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Morgan/Ecklund) Approve Resolution 2012 -05 Commissioners further discussed the effort to update Title 15 and the need for more public input during the process. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business — None City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 3, 2012 Volume 6, Page 4 7 8 New Business -- Resolution 2012 -06 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, amending the December 16, 2008 Rules Of Procedure For The Planning and Zoning Commission Glenz stated the Rules of Procedure were to be amended by resolution. Some of the required changes included meeting times as well as several other minor changes. Commissioners further discussed the various proposed changes. Butts asked Administration if it were possible for a Commissioner to attend a regular meeting via teleconference or other electronic means. Long stated that Commissioners were able to participate in meetings electronically, but could not establish a meeting quorum or vote. City Council, could by ordinance, make necessary changes for the Commission or the Council to allow attendance and participation by electronic means. Ecklund asked Administration if Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure should be amended regarding the scheduling of special meetings. Long noted the points made by Ecklund and added that special meetings may also be called by the administrative official and scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month. Motion (Ecklund/Morgan) Approve Resolution 2012 -06 Motion Passed Unanimous Discussion and direction on the April 17 work session Glenz explained the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly was meeting in City Council Chambers all day on April 17 and the work session needed, to be moved to a new location or rescheduled. Commissioners agreed to hold a Special Meeting at 6 p.m. on April ,24 to consider a resolution supporting and encouraging a City Council ordinance to amend the Alaska Public Offices Commission requirements for local officials. The Commission rescheduled the work session to immediately follow the April 24 Special Meeting. The work session topic was set as further review of the parking code. Administration noted a housekeeping change to Resolution 2012 -02. One of the dates in .. the resolution was incorrectly listed as March 6 instead of April 3. The requested change was acknowledged by the Commission and to be handled as a housekeeping change by staff. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 3, 2012 Volume 6, Page 47 9 and Reports (No action required) Items p (N uired) 9 FEMA Region X January, February and March 2012 Newsletters Seward Highway Bridge Repair Notice 2012 Planning and Zoning Meeting / Work Session Schedule Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting Reminder Memo City Clerk Email Regarding Open Meetings Act Clarifications. Commission Comments Morgan thanked staff for the work completed and the members of the public who attended for their participation. Butts also thanked staff and the other Commissioners for the work that went to reviewing the City Code and crafting the proposed amendments. Ecklund also thanked staff and noted the continued work required to review the parking code. .r. Roach' commented that it was good to have citizen comment at the meeting and encouraged anyone interested to consider serving on the Commission. Citizens' Comments — None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments — None Adjournment Meet', g adjourned at 9 p. . ammw 4111, D ayn; Atwoo',, Sandie Roach' Planning Technician Chair (City Seal) ® o e o f .,a__. �� ® a ,..� .Q IY "®-- �� Y 2 I (- "ZE 4 AL 1 d s P • insj IP i • # #.• 7. OF