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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04022013 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2013 Volume 7, Page 14 .. Call to Order The April 2, 2013 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Roach'. Opening Ceremony Commissioner McClure led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Sandie Roach' presiding, and Cindy Ecklund Martha Fleming Dale Butts Bixler McClure Alexis Campestre comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, City Planner Imo Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • Glenz thanked Commissioner Campestre for joining the Planning and Zoning Commission. • Glenz said FEMA had recently sent notice that the updated floodplain maps for the Seward area were submitted for local adoption. • The City of Seward had issued one floodplain development permit to Leif Olson for the filling of property north of the airport. • The City of Seward had participated in a statewide tsunami warning exercise on March 28 and the exercise was successful. • City Manager Jim Hunt had participated in a FEMA training at the agency's training center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. • City Staff had also been participating in FEMA training at the City Fire Department. The two day ICS 300 class involved incident command training. • The 22 Annual Pink Cheeks Triathlon was scheduled for May 4. • Seward Fire Chief David Squires was on hand at the meeting to provide information about proposed changes to the building code. • The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly was scheduled to meet in City Council Chambers at 6 p.m. on April 16. The Planning and Zoning Commission work session slated for the City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2013 Volume 7, Page 15 same time and location was scheduled to be held at the Library Museum, in the Community Room. Butts asked if the maps would be reviewed and approved by Planning and Zoning. Glenz said the map adoption would include a City Code change, so the Commission would review the new maps and proposed changes. Ecklund asked Administration who attended ICS 300 class. Glenz noted that the City Manager and Assistant City Manager, and other City staff attended. Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations — None Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items scheduled for Public Hearing — Kenai Fjords National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow, inside City, said he was available for questions regarding the Old Solly's Replat action that was before Commissioners. He encouraged adoption and said the replat presented no issues of concern. Mow also said the National Park would soon be reducing the number of properties it owned in the community. Tim McDonald, inside City, described a trial project he was proposing for the tidal flats / estuary area at the head of Resurrection Bay. The proposed "Baseline Trail" would provide a connection from Port Avenue to the Nash Road area, McDonald said. The trail concept was in its early stages of planning, but could potentially provide access to numerous resources, including salmon fishing and bird viewing, McDonald said. Mark Teckenbrock, inside City, said he had suggestions for City Code amendments to allow transient merchants to operate more freely. Teckenbrock said the rules for transient merchants need revision, such as allowing operators to set up on side streets during certain hours. Currently, the rules do not allow vendors to operate on City streets, he said. Commissioner Ecklund asked Techenbrock if he had any suggested revisions to provide the Commission. Teckenbrock said he would provide his suggested revisions to the Community Development Office. Commissioner Butts asked Teckenbrock was being prevented from conducting business. Teckenbrock said he had a private property location on which to operate his food truck and could conduct business. He said he was still interested in amending the transient merchant rules for other operators to allow more flexibility in terms of where to operate. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2013 Volume 7, Page 16 lam City Fire Chief David Squires, inside City, said four codes would be revised: the International Fire Code, International Building Code, International Residential Code and International Mechanical Code. City Council approval of the Code changes was required, Squires said. Squires said the International Fire Code, International Building Code and International Mechanical Code was to be brought forward for introduction at the City Council meeting scheduled for April 8, 2013. The residential Code would follow, at the direction of City Council, Squires said. Chair Roach' requested unanimous consent to suspend the rules, then allowed Squires to exceed the allotted speaking time of two minutes. Commissioners agreed by unanimous consent to suspend the rules. Squires explained the various proposed local changes. Squires said a significant proposed change in the Building Code was an increase in the size of a structure that could be built without a building permit to 200 square feet. Squires also noted that new rules would also allow temporary structures to be permitted annually for up to five years. Squires explained additional changes, which had to be approved by City Council. Squires said another significant proposed change was the requirement that new townhouses greater than 3,600 square have sprinkler systems installed. That requirement would be extended to new, one- and two - family dwellings as well, if they exceeded 3,600 square feet, he said. Ecklund asked if proposed changes would create conflicts with other parts of the City Code. Squires said the Code revision should, ideally, eliminate existing Code conflicts. Commissioners discussed the various proposed changes and the timeline for City Council approval and public comment. Squires said the adoption of the rules would probably not occur before late June or July. Ecklund asked if any of the Code revisions would come back to Commissioners for comment. Squires said Commissioners could provide comments at upcoming public hearings. Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Fleming/Ecklund) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2013 Volume 7, Page 17 The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: March 5, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — None Unfinished Business — None New Business — Resolution 2013 -06 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the preliminary replat of Lots 1 and 2, Block 4, Original Townsite of Seward, Old Solly's Replat, creating one lot to be known as Lot 1A, located at 411 Washington Street , , Glenz noted the location of the proposed replat and described the zoning designations for the surrounding properties. The historic Old Solly's Building, constructed in 1916, encroached into the City right of way on three sides and an encroachment permit was required as part of the remodel project. No members of the public voiced concerns about the project, Glenz said. Ecklund asked to recuse herself from voting on the proposed replat so that she would be able to vote on the matter when it came before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission. Roach' and Commissioners agreed that Ecklund recuse herself from voting and Ecklund took a seat in the audience. Fleming asked Administration how long an issued encroachment permit would be in effect. Glenz said an encroachment permit would last for 30 years or the life of the structure. Glenz said she had been working with Administration and the City Attorney to draft the permit. Roach' asked about the encroachment of an awning on Washington Street at the entrance to the Old Solly's Building. Glenz said the awning would replace a former awning, and that awnings are allowed in the Central Business District. Roach' asked how wide the awning was compared to the sidewalk width. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2013 Volume 7, Page 18 Glenz said the awning would extend approximately four feet, and the sidewalk was approximately 10 feet wide. Fleming asked about the building encroachment into the alley and if that presented any issues for the use of the alley. Glenz said the alley was a standard 20 -foot wide platted right of way. When the building was constructed, it encroached approximately six inches into the alley. The alley would continue to be used, Glenz said. Motion (Butts/McClure) Approve Resolution 2013 -06 Motion Passed Unanimous Ecklund returned from her seat in the audience to continue her participation with the Commission. Informational Items and Reports (No action required) FEMA Region X Newsletter 2013 Planning & Zoning Meeting Schedule Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting Reminder April 16 Work Session Reminder Commission Comments Fleming thanked the members of the public who attended the meeting and said she was pleased that the Old Solly's Building was being renovated. Fleming also said she would review the proposed Code amendments presented by Fire Chief David Squires and provide comments. Campestre said he felt welcome on the Commission and looked forward to learning more about serving. Butts thanked Fire Chief David Squires for his presentation. McClure thanked staff and welcomed Commissioner Compestre. McClure also thanked Squires for presenting the proposed Code changes. Ecklund said she appreciated the work City staff performed to prepare the proposed City Code changes, as well as the preparations for the meeting. Ecklund asked if staff could provide an older version of the Old Solly's Plat for the Kenai Peninsula Borough to review. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2013 Volume 7, Page 19 Glenz said the older version of the plat would be available, but it lacks the kind of detail .� needed for a thorough review. Roach' thanked Campestre for joining the Commission and the members of the public for attending. Citizens' Comments Squires said he looked forward to receiving Commissioner comments on the proposed Code changes. Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments — None Adjournment Mee ing adjourned . ' 8:15 A. ► . Mg t ayn: Atwood, Sandie Roach' P� tinning Technician Chair (City Seal) j ®9 pgp!11U9g i , •%0 0 SE1,0 • �" r � id ®� • /,0 ® • e mss. a i e "s • e SEW •P _ u°1 '.,;; �.f) 1,,f° �^ ^ f F ✓�,' y, 1