HomeMy WebLinkAbout06022015 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
June 2, 2015 Volume 7,Page 142
Call to Order
The June 2, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was
called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Gary Seese.
Opening Ceremony
Commissioner Fleming led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Roll Call
There were present:
Gary Seese presiding, and
Martha Fleming Janet Coulter
Tom Swami Margaret Anderson
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 had issued no new floodplain
development permits in recent weeks. A property owner had expressed interest in installing
a bridge in the Resurrection River area,but details were forthcoming, Glenz said.
• The City of Seward had recently issued a total of 20 building permits, which was well
ahead of the pace set during the 2014 construction season.
Other Reports,Announcements & Presentations—None
Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items scheduled for Public Hearing
Kerry Martin, inside City, said he became familiar with producing City Comprehensive Plans
when he worked as the Seward City Planner. Martin pointed out that the Kenai Peninsula Borough
was, at one time, responsible for Seward zoning. That power was delegated to municipality, but
the Kenai Peninsula Borough continues to help fund the drafting of the City Comprehensive Plan.
City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
June 2, 2015 Volume 7,Page 143
Martin suggested potential contractors be given clear direction as to what the plan should include
and how it would be written. Firm direction was needed,he said.
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion(Fleming/Swann) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda:
May 5,2015 Regular Meeting Minutes
Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None
New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—
Resolution 2015-13 of the Planning and Zoning Commission recommending City
Council and Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the Benny Benson
preliminary replat which establishes the outer boundaries of the Benny Benson
Memorial Park, includes the vacation of all interior undeveloped rights-of-
way, easements and interior platted lot lines; dedicates additional rights-of-
way and easements; located predominately within the Park Zoning District
Glenz noted the location on wall maps and explained that the replat established the outer boundary
of the park by vacating the interior lot lines and creating a single parcel of just over 11 acres.
Glenz noted the vacation of several undeveloped rights-of-way and utility easements. She pointed
out the dedication of rights-of-way for Chamberlain Road and Dairy Hill Lane. Glenz further
explained the drive surface routes and the legal width requirements.
Glenz, stated that one parcel was currently zoned Single Family and would be brought back before
the Commission and on to Council for a rezone to Park once the replat was completed. Much of
the proposed park plat was within the special flood hazard area.
Glenz said the resolution incorrectly included the word"memorial" in identifying the name of the
Benny Benson Park. A substitute resolution was provided. Glenz suggested Commissioners adopt
the substitute resolution,which removed the word"memorial"throughout the resolution.
Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the
public hearing was opened.
Kerry Martin, inside City limits, said he was pleased the park plat was being completed. During
his tenure as Seward City Planner, the park replat was one of three larger land actions that needed
to be completed. Martin thanked staff and the Commission for the effort.
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City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
June 2, 2015 Volume 7,Page 144
Hearing no one else wishing to speak the public hearing was closed.
Motion (Swann/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2015-13
Motion (Fleming/Swann) Replace Resolution 2015-13 with laydown
substitute resolution
Glenz noted that the Commission was now preparing to vote on accepting the substitute resolution,
which removed all references to "memorial"and had no other substantial changes.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Staff noted the substitute resolution was now on the floor for discussion and approval.
No discussion was heard and the vote to approve the substitute resolution was held.
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Unfinished Business—None
New Business Items—
Resolution 2015-12 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of
Seward, Alaska, recommending the City Council accept a $50,000.00 Kenai
Peninsula Borough grant for the sole purpose of updating the 2020 Seward
Comprehensive Plan
Glenz explained the support of the $50,000 grant from the Kenai Peninsula Borough. It was noted
the previous Comprehensive Plan Update took several years to complete. Glenz noted the
Community Development Department was responsible for the coordination of the project on
behalf of the City and the Commission was responsible for holding the public meetings, to take
input as the plan was updated.
Motion(Swann/Anderson) Approve Resolution 2015-13
Fleming asked staff if the$50,000 grant was adequate for the work required.
Glenz said that $50,000 appeared to be the current amount the Kenai Peninsula Borough was
providing communities to help fund the update to their Comprehensive Plans. She noted the last
plan update was funded with a $30,000 grant. Until contractors were solicited, it was difficult to
know if the grant funding was adequate or not.
In response to Anderson, Glenz said the job needed to be accomplished and that staff planned to
make every effort to complete the task on schedule.
City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
June 2, 2015 Volume 7,Page 145
In response to Seese, Glenz noted the City would provide support via its paid staff, but not bill the
grant directly.
Fleming asked staff to explain the timeline for the proposed update and the work that was done on
the previous plan.
Glenz said the current 2020 Comprehensive Plan was adopted by City Council in August of 2005.
She noted the plan update had begun in 1998 and took seven years to complete. Glenz explained
there had been several problems with the contractor's work and that a second firm had been hired
to complete the update.
Seese stated the proposed update was a substantial amount of work and would take a considerable
amount of staff time.
Glenz said the City would do everything possible to complete the task with the resources provided.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Set June 16,2015 Work Session Topic •
Glenz noted that a work session was scheduled for June 16,but a topic had not been set. There had
been some issues with home occupations within the city, and the City Code needed to be reviewed.
In some cases technology was changing the way entrepreneurs were doing business.
Fleming suggested the Commission also begin to look at the review of the Comprehensive Plan, in
addition to the home occupation review.
Glenz pointed out that it may be appropriate to review the existing plan.
Anderson asked if changes were needed, whether the City Code would be amended.
Glenz said substantial changes would require amending the City Code.
Anderson said she would be absent on June 16.
Commissioners further discussed their schedules and the proposed work session topics.
Commissioners agreed to set the June 16 work session topics as: Review Home Occupation Code/
Review Comprehensive Plan Structure.
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Set July Meeting Date
-Glenz said the July .7 meeting date was canceled at the beginning of the year. That meeting was
rescheduled to July 21, but Glenz said she would not be available for that date and would be
traveling for a family matter. A special meeting was needed during July, Glenz said.
•
City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
June 2, 2015 Volume 7,Page 146
Commissioners discussed their schedules and concluded that a quorum would be available for a
July 14 special meeting. The meeting was rescheduled to July 14.
Informational Items and Reports (No action required)
FEMA Region X Newsletter
2015 Planning& Zoning Meeting Schedule
Commission Comments
Swann congratulated Seese for managing the meeting during his first attempt as chair.
Citizens' Comments—
Kerry Martin, inside City, said the $50,000 grant for the Comprehensive Plan update was intended
primarily for payment to the consultant. Martin suggested the contract include specific language to
produce the kind of plan that was envisioned by the Commission and the community. In some
cases, smaller contractors could provide more attention to the task,he said.
Seese asked if the former technical writer that helped with the last plan update was available.
Commissioner Anderson said that individual was no longer living in Seward.
Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—
Commissioner Fleming thanked Kerry Martin for his input and encouraged him to continue to
serve as a resource as the Comprehensive Plan update moved forward.
Adjournment
Meet g adjourned :52 p.
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