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Home My WebLink About10062015 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 6, 2015 Volume 7, Page 157 Call to Order The October 6, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Fleming led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Gary Seese Martha Fleming Tom Swann.. • Margaret Anderson comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Dwayne Atwood,Acting Planner Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Excused was: Janet Coulter City Administration Report Acting Planner Dwayne Atwood updated the Commission on the following business items: • No new floodplain development permits had been issued since the last meeting, but the Community Development Department had submitted a 150 page recertification report to FEMA. The annual report was required for continuing participation in the Community Rating System. The department was notified that the City of Seward was in good standing and would remain a Class 9 community for the next year. • Planner Donna Glenz was recovering from her back injury and was planning to work in the office on a limited basis in as soon as two weeks. • PACAB was scheduled to meet at noon on October 7 in Council Chambers. • The Seward Energy Fair was scheduled for Friday, October 9 and Saturday October 10. Commissioners were provided the presentation schedule as a laydown. • The Alaska Railroad was scheduled to provide a presentation. A printout of the presentation was provided as a laydown for Commissioners. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 6, 2015 Volume 7,Page 158 In response to a question from Commissioner Swann, Atwood explained the City of Seward's involvement in the FEMA sponsored Community Rating System program and the benefits to local flood insurance policy holders. Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations — Alaska Railroad Corporation's Proposed Upgrades to Seward Facilities Christina Hendrickson, the Senior Project Manager for the Alaska Railroad Corp., led a presentation on proposed Seward upgrades and plans for fact gathering. The presentation on "Railport Seward: Reimagining Travel&Trade" included PowerPoint slides. Hendrickson said the presentation was to be offered to various stakeholders in the community, including City Council. The visioning and fact gathering work was expected to continue for up to 18 months, leading to the development of a master plan for the improvement and expansion of Seward facilities. Following the presentation, Commissioner Seese asked what efforts were being made to improve coal exports from Seward's loading facility. Hendrickson said the Railroad CEO had met with Governor Walker and other officials to discuss the issue of coal exports, as well as the possibility of exporting and importing other materials. Ecklund asked when facility improvements might occur. Hendrickson said future development is dependent on funding. Citizens' Comments on any subject except those scheduled for Public Hearing—None 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: September 1,2015 Meeting Minutes Unfmished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 6, 2015 Volume 7,Page 159 Resolution 2015-19 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission granting a Conditional Use Permit to Ristine Casagranda to construct and operate a detached single-family dwelling on Lot 6, Block 14, within the Original Townsite of Seward,located at 329 Third Avenue,within the Central Business Zoning District Atwood described the proposed project and noted the location for the Commission. The developer had provided plans indicating all Code requirements would be met for the proposed project. Staff supported the project, and there had been no public opposition or comment, Atwood said. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Ristine Casagranda, inside City, said she purchased the vacant parcel at 329 Third Avenue with plans for a substantial development, but adjusted those plans to meet City Code and Building Department requirements for a single family structure. Peggy Hamner, inside City, said she was a property owner and that the approval of the proposed development might set a precedent for further development of 3,000 square foot lots. Hamner said she had previously been told that subdividing her three, 3,000 square foot lots into two, 4,500 square foot lots was not allowed by Code. Hamner said she did not object to the development of 30 foot by 100 foot lots. Hearing no one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. Motion (Swann/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2015-19 Fleming noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission recently held aor`k session and discussed the development of 30 by 100 foot lots and the possibility of allowing landowners in certain parts of the town to subdivide parcels to dimensions smaller than 6,000 square feet. Ecklund said Administration would provide a public service announcement regarding current development standards for 30 by 100 foot lots and note where the smaller lots (less than 6,000 square feet)may be replatted, following the required Code amendments. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business—None New Business Items— Set Work Session Topic for October 20,2015 City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes October 6, 2015 Volume 7,Page 160 Atwood noted that the work session date could be changed if there was a question of gaining a quorum. Atwood suggested that the topic be set as: Review of the 2020 Comprehensive Plan. Commissioners discussed their schedules to determine the availability of a quorum. Following further discussion, the Commission scheduled the work session for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27. The topic was set as: Review of the 2020 Comprehensive Plan. Informational Items and Reports (No action required) November.15 Planning Commissioner Training in Anchorage FEMA Region X Newsletter 2015 Planning& Zoning Meeting Schedule Commission Comments—None Citizens' Comments—None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. ttO Dw,yne twoo• mdy R n• Pl•. 'n_ Tec ,cian Chair (City Seal) �0 �®••°9aeryue°c°pop dZ X04 ®• • l�f� t o _ •• �e4 A •A r.r 4 JP �J •OOp p-°—°" `fi r G3