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Home My WebLink About02052013 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes February 5, 2013 Volume 7, Page 2 __ CaII to Order The February 5, 2013 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Roach'. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Fleming led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Sandie Roach' presiding, and Martha Fleming Dale Butts Bixler McClure comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician Excused was: Cindy Ecklund City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • Glenz noted that the Community Development Department was successful in getting the residential property owner at 614 Third Avenue to remove stored auto tires from the right of way. • Glenz said the former U.S. Coast Guard building in the boat harbor uplands had been demolished and the lot was cleared. The project had been ongoing for several months. • Renewal packages had been mailed to the Planning and Zoning Commissioners who were finishing their terms. The deadline for application was February 15, Glenz said. • Commissioner Tena Morgan had announced her intention to resign her seat. Glenz thanked Morgan for her years of service. • Glenz said a member of the public was interested in the establishment of a conservation overlay district. Glenz encouraged the Commission to address the issue at a future work sessions. • The annual Planning and Zoning joint work session with City Council was scheduled for 6 �... p.m. on February 11. • A joint work saSsion with the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Board was scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 5. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes February 5, 2013 Volume 7, Page 3 • The topic for the Planning and Zoning Commission regular work session scheduled for 6 magi p.m. on February 19 was the continued review of the Municipal Lands Management Plan. • Borough Mayor Mike Navarre was scheduled to visit Seward on February 13 for public meetings. • The City Council was scheduled to hold a work session on the 2012 Building Code on February 27. Fleming asked if the Commission would provide the items for discussion during the City Council joint work session. Roach' explained that the Commission would provide its 2013 draft priority list for discussion. Roach' asked Administration if she could attend the Historic Preservation Commission portion of the Council joint work session, which was slated to begin at 5 p.m. Glenz indicated that all Commissioners were welcome to attend any portion of the scheduled joint work sessions between council and the other City boards and commissions. Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations — None Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items scheduled for Public Hearing — None Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Fleming/Butts) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: December 4, 2012 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2013 -01 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending City Council approve the attached ordinance amending the zoning designation of a small portion of the City owned land located within Tract G of the Waterfront Park Replat, from Harbor Commercial (HC), to Park (P) Glenz noted the location of the proposed rezone, referring Commissioners to wall maps in the meeting room. The portion of property to be rezoned had been historically used as park. The City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes February 5, 2013 Volume 7, Page 4 proposed rezone was supported by the City Land Use Plan and City staff recommended the rezone. One public comment on the proposed rezone had been received. Glenz referred Commissioners to the letter, which was included in the meeting packet. Fleming asked why the proposed rezone was being done, since no development was planned and the property use was to remain the same. Glenz said the Waterfront Park was recently replated, and the property within that plat was to be rezoned to match the designations outlined in the City Land Use Plan. Fleming asked if it would be possible for a property developer to make use of the property in the future. Glenz said there were methods for proposing the use of various properties and the parcel could, potentially, be rezoned for development in the future. In response to Butts, Glenz stated there was no plan to develop the area proposed for rezone. She also noted that a development plan for the South Harbor Uplands had not been completed. 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 (Butts/McClure) Approve Resolution 2013 -01 Butts said a development plan for the South Harbor Uplands was needed. Butts agreed that the parcel to be rezoned had historically been used as park. McClure agreed the property use could change in the future, but he enjoyed the open space that the parcel provided. Roach' said she believed there would be better places for shops and said that seasonal visitors have enjoyed the open space. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business — None New Business — Resolution 2013 -02 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska granting a six (6) month extension to Floodplain Variance 2012 -01 issued to Dennis and Pat Perry to construct an aircraft City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes February 5, 2013 Volume 7, Page 5 hangar up to 4 feet below base flood elevation on Lot 7, Block 200 Seward Airport, 2106 Airport Road Glenz explained that the resolution would grant a six month extension to the floodplain variance that had previously been issued for the development of an aircraft hangar. Because of delays, the developer wanted to secure an extension. Glenz noted there were no significant changes to the project. Butts asked if the variance extension required the developer to finish the project within the six month extension period. Glenz said the applicant would need to secure the required building permit from the City during that six month extension period. The actual construction could take longer, Glenz said. Motion (Fleming/McClure) Approve Resolution 2013 -02 Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2013 -03 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska granting a six (6) month extension to Conditional Use Permit 2012 -01, subject to conditions, issued to Leif Olson for the development of a single family home on that portion of Govt. Lot 1 lying east of the Seward Highway and the Alaska Railroad right of way, within the Resource Management Zoning District, Located at 2608 Seward Highway Glenz explained that the developer was behind schedule and planned to continue the project during the coming construction season. There were no significant changes to the development plan, Glenz said. Fleming asked if the Commission would be required to reconsider the issued conditional use permit if there had been significant changes to the development plan. The Commission could reconsider the conditional use permit, at the time of the extension request, if there were significant changes to the development plan, Glenz said. Roach' asked if property loss due to flooding would be considered. Glenz said that if the actual building site and setback allowances were not affected, no reconsideration would be required. Motion (McClure/Butts) Approve Resolution 2013 -03 Motion Passed Unanimous Neal City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes February 5, 2013 Volume 7, Page 6 Resolution 2013 -04 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska granting a six (6) month extension to Conditional Use Permit 2012 -02, subject to conditions, issued to Leif Olson for the development of an RV /Camper Park on that portion of Govt. Lot 1 lying east of the Seward Highway and the Alaska Railroad right of way, within the Resource Management Zoning District, located at 2608 Seward Highway Glenz said the developer intended to move forward with the project, but had not yet received a business license and camper park permit and requested a six month extension to the conditional use permit. Glenz noted a typo in the resolution and suggested the edit be made by amendment, changing a single reference of "CUP 2012 -01" to "CUP 2012 -02" within the body of the resolution. Motion (Butts/McClure) Approve Resolution 2013 -04 Motion (Fleming/Butts) Amend Resolution 2013 -04 after the fourth Wereas to read "CUP 2012 -02" 61,0 Roach' noted that the Commission could have requested a housekeeping edit, but agreed the proposed amendment would also produce the same result. Motion Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed, as Amended Unanimous Discuss and select a Commissioner to provide quarterly reports to City Council Roach' discussed the need for a Commissioner to provide regular reports of Planning and Zoning activity. Fleming said she had been attending the Council meetings and would be willing to provide reports. The Commission agreed that Fleming would provide quarterly reports to City Council. Butts noted that Commissioners do not receive financial compensation and that it may be time to bring the issue to the City Council. Compensation may help to fill vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission, Butts said. `„ Informational Items and Reports (No action required) FEMA Region X December / January Newsletters City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes February 5, 2013 Volume 7, Page 7 1 .errs 2013 Planning & Zoning Meeting Schedule March 5 Flood Board Work Session Reminder February 11 Joint Work Session with Council Reminder Commission Comments Fleming said she recently worked with City Planner Donna Glenz to discuss various portions of the Municipal Lands Management Plan. Fleming questioned if there might be a way to expedite the work to revise the document, which was last updated in 1995. Butts asked if focusing on one section at a time might be helpful. Fleming questioned if setting aside a designated amount of time to keep working on the document, with more frequent meetings, would speed the revision process. Roach' explained how portions of City Code Title 15 were revised and reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The work was completed section by section and the process worked well, Roach' said. Glenz noted that the Commission had not always been unable to establish a quorum for work sessions and when work sessions were held, Commissioners had sometimes not worked long enough to make significant progress. Commissioners further discussed the need to revise the Municipal Lands Management Plan and the time that would be dedicated to the effort. Glenz explained that additional work sessions could be added to complete the required work, as long a public notice requirements were met. Some amount of time would also needed by staff to complete required revisions following a work session, Glenz said. McClure noted he would need to be excused from the March 19 work session for travel. Butts thanked staff for preparing the meeting materials. He also said it was encouraging that Commissioners were enthusiastic about getting work done and holding work sessions. Roach' said she appreciated the time and energy former Commissioner Tena Morgan put into addressing Planning and Zoning issues and thanked her for her years of service. Citizens' Comments — None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments — None City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes February 5, 2013 Volume 7, Page 8 Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m / / / Alt er • � .��IU.� GLyt- GEC. -2..J GZ. • D . yne - twood, Sandie Roach' Planning Technician Chair (City Seal) • �ced3 w f . ,, dd, f l " W ", 0 o • "+: — - �a • Y3 ( v r' ° • • ® tJ ° • 4.4,, d 0 ° ° F ' 3 • `. ' y d tar