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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11072013 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 56 i.. Call to Order The November 7, 2013 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Conunission 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 Bixler McClure Wendy Shaffer comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • Seward had recently received $750,000 in federal funding to create a new health clinic. • PACAP recently worked on completing the development plan for the Seward Small Boat Harbor and uplands. • City Administration planned to address the need for an update to the Parks & Recreation Department master plan. • A demolition permit had been issued for the Ray's Resuables structure near Fourth Avenue and A Street. The structure had recently burned. • The City of Seward was seeking state disaster assistance for recent flooding and the required maintenance of the diversion tunnel bridge on Lowell Point Road. Glenz also noted that the Japp Creek Levee had also suffered some minor damage during the recent flooding. • The Seward / Bear Creek Flood Service Area board had recently approved flood debris removal on Sometimes Creek and Sawmill Creek. ••• • The Planning and Zoning Commission was scheduled to participate in a training session at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 57 Commissioner Ecklund asked if the Seward Recreation Committee had met to review the awl Parks and Recreation Department master plan. Glenz noted that the Seward Recreation Committee was an ad hoc citizen committee and any changes or updates to the Parks and Recreation Department master plan would be undertaken by City staff. 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 (Butts/Fleming) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Roach'/Ecklund) Amend the Agenda, making Resolution 2013-20 the first item of business Motion Passed Unanimous Main Motion, as amended Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: October 3,2013 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None New Business Items— Resolution 2013-20 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission, granting a six (6) month extension to Conditional Use Permit 2013-01, issued to James R. Woodside, dba Saltwood Smoke House, to operate a commercial seafood processing and smoking business on USS 149, Lot 1, Tract B, 2101 Seward Highway,within the Auto Commercial Zoning District Glenz noted that the resolution would allow a six-month extension of the original Conditional Use Permit. The applicant had been working diligently to receive a building permit. The extension would prevent the Conditional Use Permit from lapsing, Glenz said. Motion (Ecklund/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2013-20 Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 58 .. New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— Resolution 2013-18 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to Wayne Moore to operate two (2) efficiency apartments within a commercial structure in the Central Business Zoning District, on Lots 1 & 2, Block 18, Federal Addition at 903 Fourth Avenue Glenz explained the history of the apartments and how the rental operation was undertaken without a City zoning review. The apartments could be allowed by Conditional Use Permit, but no permit had ever been issued. The rentals had been operated since sometime after 2004, Glenz said. Property owners were informed of the Conditional Use Permit application and no comments had been received, Glenz said. Fleming asked how an operator might learn that a Conditional Use Permit was required. Glenz said that normally a detailed City building permit application would be submitted and the Community Development Department would conduct a review for allowed uses and zoning and require the permit. During 2004 the review process and building permit process was not as thorough, Glenz said. bow Butts asked if the rental property had been inspected by the Fire Department. Glenz said the property would be inspected if it were used as a nightly rental operation, instead of monthly rentals. Glenz further explained that the applicant had recently applied for a building permit to construct an addition. Upon reviewing the application, it was determined that the applicant had not obtained a Conditional Use Permit for the two apartment units. Roach' asked if the parking plan for the development had been provided. Glenz said a parking plan was required, and it appeared there was adequate parking. Roach' asked if it was unusual to have two apartments in the upper story of a shop building and whether it would be allowed if it were new construction. Glenz said the project could be allowed. 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. imp Motion (Fleming/Ecklund) Approve Resolution 2013-18 City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 59 Ecklund said she would vote in favor of the Conditional Use Permit, because the apartments have added to the base of affordable housing. Fleming said the Conditional Use Permit requirement was appropriate and prudent to provide for health and safety. Commissioners further discussed the history and the use of the apartment units. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2013-19 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending City Council and Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the City owned Fourth of July creek Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC), Washdown Pad Replat, a re- subdivision of Lot 4, Block 7, Fourth of July Creek Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center, located within the Industrial Zoning District Glenz explained the purpose of replat and pointed out the location, referring to wall maps. Boats were to be washed before being placed in upland storage, Glenz said. Surrounding property urniowners were notified of the replat and no comments had been received. Glenz said the private drives within the development had been established soon after the Seward Marine Industrial Center project began in the 1980s. City Administration did not support the establishment of platted rights of way through the industrial area, Glenz said. Glenz referred to a citizen letter, which Commissioners received as a laydown document, and further discussed the City decision to maintain private drives within SMIC. Fleming asked Glenz to explain the recent platting history surrounding the development area. Glenz referred Commissioners to the original plat and subsequent plats, which indicated the utility easements and un-subdivided remainders that were to be included in the proposed replat. The Commission further discussed the utility easements within the industrial area. 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 (McClure/Butts) Approve Resolution 2013-19 Ecklund asked if the washdown pad was subject to environmental review of any kind. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 60 Glenz said the project had been through various permitting review processes. Motion Passed Unanimous New Business Items— Approve 2014 Planning and Zoning Schedule and Public Hearing Cut-Off Dates Glenz explained each year the Commission approves the annual calendar for meetings and work sessions. Glenz asked that the Commission approve the calendar, following discussion and any requested revisions or amendments. Ecklund requested the cancellation of the work sessions for the months of July and December. Commissioners discussed various dates to determine if additional changes to the proposed calendar were needed. Motion (Ecklund/Fleming) Approve 2014 Planning and Zoning Schedule and Public Hearing Cut-Off Dates, with the cancellation of the July 15, 2014 regular work session and the cancellation of the December 16, 2014 regular work session Motion Passed Unanimous Informational Items and Reports (No action required) FEMA Region X Newsletter 2013 Planning& Zoning Meeting Schedule Quarterly Report to City Council Memo December 3 Flood Board Work Session Memo November 19 Planning and Zoning Commission Training Memo Commission Comments Fleming noted that she would provide the Planning and Zoning Commission quarterly report to City Council in December. Commissioners suggested Fleming discuss the Commissioner training slated for November 19. Fleming added that she was on the local health clinic board and the goal was to have the local clinic operating in 120 days. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 1013 Volume 7, Page 61 r j Butts thanked staff for the meeting preparations and noted that he had submitted his name as an applicant to fill a City Council vacancy. McClure said he was looking forward to Mr. Woodside's planned fish smoking business and wished him success. Ecklund thanked staff for preparing the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes in each packet, which she found helpful. Roach' acknowledged Shaffer's commitment to serving on the Commission and noted that any questions were welcome during meetings and that it was useful and important to discuss items for the record. Citizens' Comments—None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. 7 , _ - D ayne twoo I Sandie Roach' P . ning Technician Chair (City Seal) 4 •..o u4 '4 �I . G d _ SEAL • • Os • ti., E OF PA-, ', j