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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10032013 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2013 Volume 7, Page 50 Imo Call to Order The October 3, 2013 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Sandie Roach'. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Fleming led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Sandie Roach' presiding, and Cindy Ecklund Martha Fleming Dale Butts Wendy Shaffer comprising a quorum of the Commission; and t... Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician Excused was: Bixler McClure City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • New Commissioner Wendy Shaffer was in attendance and was introduced to the Commission and the audience by Glenz. • Glenz noted the beneficial service of former Commissioner Alexis Campestre, who had recently resigned. • Glenz informed the Commission of the recent municipal elections results, noting that Jean Bardarson had been elected mayor. • Planning Technician Dwayne Atwood had compiled the annual Community Rating System annual report for the City of Seward and had submitted it to FEMA for acceptance. • Glenz noted a series of floodplain development permits had been issued by the Community Development Department, including a permit for emergency repairs to the airport's northeast runway. to • • Glenz noted a series of boat harbor projects, including the reconstruction of D Float and the required platting for a vessel washdown pad at the Seward Marine Industrial Center. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2013 Volume 7, Page 51 • Glenz noted that 65 percent conceptual plans for the proposed remodel of the Jesse Lee Home structure had been submitted to the City Building Department. • The cause of a fire that destroyed Ray's Reusables, located at 310 A Street, was under investigation. • A Marine Firefighting for Land Based Fire Fighters Symposium was scheduled to be held in Seward on October 8 through October 10. • Commissioners had been provided a draft of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Title 20, Subdivisions, updates that were to be discussed during an October 15 work session with Borough staff and the Moose Pass advisory planning board. • The Blood Bank of Alaska was scheduled to hold a blood drive at Seward Mountain Haven on October 11. Commissioner Ecklund asked staff for additional information about the location of the Alaska Road Builders asphalt plant location in the Seward area. Glenz noted the location of the plant, near the Seward Highway and Nash Road, outside of City Limits. Roach' asked staff about potential upcoming training opportunities for Commissioners. Glenz said a Commissioner training was planned for November, but the details were being discussed. 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 (Ecklund/Fleming) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: August 20,2013 Special Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— Resolution 2013-15 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) amendment, reducing the number of parking spaces required by CUP 2003-02 issued to Saltwater Safari to construct and operate a 12-unit hotel in the Harbor City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2013 Volume 7, Page 52 Commercial Zoning District, at 1210 Fourth Avenue, Lot 12, Block 6, Seward Small Boat Harbor Subdivision Glenz noted the history of Saltwater Safari and the parking that was provided under the original Conditional Use Permit. Glenz referred to maps on the wall to point out the location of the applicant's lodge and the proposed parking area. The lodge guests had rarely used the dedicated off-site parking and had relied on the nearby City-operated parking lot, Glenz said. Many of the guests also arrived by bus, Glenz said. The applicant intended to develop the parcel that had been used for dedicated off-site lodge parking. Parking was to be provided at a nearby lot, Glenz said. Butts asked for a procedural clarification regarding the Conditional Use Permit. Glenz said the primary condition in new the permit would reduce number of required parking spaces to 1 space for every two guest rooms. Ecklund asked staff to explain the parking alternatives, such as leasing parking spaces from the City. Glenz said the applicant could arrange for parking with the City of Seward, but that option would not be added to the Conditional Use Permit as a condition. The parking would be provided by a nearby private property owner, via a recorded parking agreement. Roach' asked for clarification regarding the required parking and any additional spaces that might be put into use. Glenz noted that lodging operators within the Harbor Commercial Zone were not required to provide parking spaces. The off-site parking for Saltwater Safari was required when the Conditional Use Permit for the lodge business came before the Commission. Commissioners further discussed parking requirements for the various lodging and hotel businesses in Seward. 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 (Fleming/Butts) Approve Resolution 2013-15 Roach' noted that public parking is limited in many areas of town and hotels should be required to provide adequate parking. it Ecklund asked if the other hotels and lodges in the harbor area were required to provide parking under a Conditional Use Permit. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2013 Volume 7, Page 53 Glenz said that hotels in the harbor area were providing parking and, for the most part, ..+ provided one parking space per lodging unit. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business—None New Business— Resolution 2013-16 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska granting a second 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 the purpose of the resolution, which was a standard exten idn"of an existing Conditional Use Permit. City Code allowed for the extension of Conditional Use Permits, provided there had been no substantial changes to project plans, Glenz said. Roach' asked staff is there was a fee associated with the extension request. Glenz said there was no fee, beyond the original fee required for the Conditional Use Permit application. A public hearing was not required for a Conditional Use Permit extension, Glenz said. Butts asked what contact had been made by the applicant and how many extensions could be granted. Glenz explained that an email message was adequate for requesting an extension and that the Community Development had received an extension request. Glenz said extension requests were not limited, but the Commission might consider amending the City Code in the future to extend the original permit period or limit the number of extensions that could be granted. Motion (Ecklund/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2013-16 Butts said he wanted to see the applicant comply with all City Code requirements before gaining a Conditional Use Permit extension. Butts said that railroad box cars had been placed along the applicant's property frontage, which was not allowed by City Code. Glenz said the Community Development Department was preparing to give notice of the railroad box car violation to property owner Leif Olson. Commissioners discussed the possibility of denying the Conditional Use Permit extension request. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2013 Volume 7, Page 54 Glenz said the applicant would need to obtain a City Building Permit, and that permit could be withheld if City Code violations were not corrected. Glenz suggested that the Commission read into the record the pertinent conditions from the original permit to reiterate the concerns voiced by Commissioners. Butts read into record Condition No. 2 from Conditional Use Permit 2012-01: "Continue to work with City staff to coordinate site visits to address and remove any outstanding code compliance issues prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy." Commissioners further discussed issues related to property clean up and the possibility of tabling the resolution until speaking with the applicant. Commissioners agreed to grant the Conditional Use Permit extension and requested that staff and the Building Department address any property concerns and City Code issues. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2013-17 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska granting a second 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 explained that the Conditional Use Permit extension request was made by the developer and that plans for the project had not changed. Motion (Ecklund/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2013-17 Ecklund said she believed that City staff could follow through and make sure that the applicant met City Code requirements. Motion Passed Unanimous Informational Items and Reports (No action required) FEMA Region X Newsletter 2013 Planning & Zoning Meeting Schedule November 7 Meeting Memo 1r„ October 15 Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Work Session Memo Commission Comments City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2013 Volume 7, Page 55 Fleming thanked new Commissioner Wendy Shaffer for serving. Fleming also suggested that the Commission continue holding regular work sessions in order to further review the City Code. Butts welcomed Commissioner Shaffer and thanked staff for the meeting preparation. Butts said he was encouraged by the opportunity to hold a work session with Kenai Peninsula Borough staff on October 15. Ecklund thanked Shaffer for joining the Commission and said she was also looking forward to the Kenai Peninsula Borough work session to review Title 20, Subdivisions. Roach' acknowledged Shaffer's commitment to serving on the Commission and thanked staff for the meeting preparations. Citizens' Comments—None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. ...�„ i AI e_1. D 'ayne wood, Sandie Roach' P1: ing Technician Chair (City Sear....•.,,, A•Ay 4F SE4V,q'•• : C, e*, °fir�.4• G • •. .• F • O . SEAL ' •• �• '� • d> •`?'VE1 ,• •i 4 ... Pg •ti�..F.OF. , AAA. J