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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04052016 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 5, 2016 Volume 7, Page 179 111 Call to Order The April 5, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Swann led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding,and Gary Seese Martha Fleming Janet Coulter Tom Swann Margaret Anderson(arrived at 7:08 p.m.) 111 comprising a quorum of the Commission;and Donna Glenz, Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician City Administration Report Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • The City Council had noted the presence of Planning and Zoning Commissioners at a recent marijuana regulation work session. The participation was appreciated, Glenz said. • No new floodplain development permits had been issued since the last Planning and Zoning Commission regular meeting. • The Seward/Bear Creek Flood Advisory Board approved $5,000 in funding at an April 4 meeting to examine the drainage problems at the southern portion of the Lagoon, near Van Buren Street and Second Avenue. • Glenz reported that 20 building permits had been reviewed to date, which was a substantial increase in early season construction. • On March 31 he Public Works Department held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of the new North Seward Water Storage Tank and Pumping Facility. • The Seward Marine Industrial Center breakwater project was on schedule. A nearby sewer outfall had also been replaced. • New lighting had been installed on A and S floats in the Seward Small Boat Harbor. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 5, 2016 Volume 7,Page 180 • Harmon Construction was on schedule to complete the northeast fish cleaning station in the Seward Small Boat Harbor. 11/ • Glenz noted the Commission had laydown documents, including a grant report for an ongoing Comprehensive Plan Update and a notice for the annual Permitting & Agency Information Day on April 13. • The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly was scheduled to meet in Seward on April 19. • Glenz noted she would be out of the office from April 14 through April 25. In response to Ecklund, Glenz explained that the sewer outfall extension noted earlier was part of the SMIC breakwater improvement project. Other Reports, Announcements& Presentations—None 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 item was approved on the Consent Agenda: February 2, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes Special Items— Election of Chair and Vice Chair Glenz stated the procedure for the nomination and election process. Ecklund opened the floor to accept nominations for Chair Motion (Fleming/Seese) Close the nominations for Chair and elect Commissioner Ecklund as Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Ecklund opened the floor to accept nominations for Vice Chair Tom Swann and Martha Fleming were nominated from the floor. Ballots were cast and counted: Fleming 5, Swarm 1. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 5, 2016 Volume 7,Page 181 111 Motion (Anderson/Swann) Close the nominations for Vice Chair and elect Martha Fleming as Vice Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— Resolution 2016-03 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska recommending City Council approve the attached ordinance amending the Land Use Plan and Zoning designation of City owned Lot 11A-2,Fort Raymond Subdivision,Replat No. 4, (Replat Pending) located at approximately 2200 Dimond Boulevard, from Park (P) to Multi- Family(R-3) Motion (Fleming/Swann) Approve Resolution 2016-03 Glenz noted that the approximately 1.5 acre parcel was to be developed by Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives (KPHI) to create several units of senior housing. The required platting was being reviewed by the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Glenz said. City Code allowed for the independent zoning designation because the parcel was larger than 1 acre. No public concerns were expressed during the public notice period and staff supported the proposed rezone, Glenz said. Glenz requested an amendment to the attached ordinance, removing reference to "non-income based"noting that Council had approved Resolution 2015-081 removing the"non-income based" reference within the land agreement between KPHI and the City. Eclund asked staff to provide more information about the project, specifically the number of units that might be income based. Glenz stated that grant funding sources for the project required that up to 50 percent of the units be income based. That was a change from the original project concept. The current project included 5 units,of which KPHI stated two were to be income based. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Hearing no one wishing to speak,the public hearing was closed. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 5, 2016 Volume 7,Page 182 Motion(Swann/Fleming) Amend the attached ordinance by striking the words "non-income based" from the first Whereas In response to Ecklund, Glenz said the same amendment could be made to the resolution, following the amendment to the proposed ordinance. Commissioners further discussed the resolution and ordinance. Motion Passed Unanimous Motion(Ecklund/Swann) Amend Resolution 2016-03 by striking the words "non-income based" from the first Whereas Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Ecklund said she understood the Multi-Family zoning request, but observed that highway properties were largely zoned Auto Commercial. Glenz referred Commissioners to a zoning map, which indicated most of the surrounding property was zoned Institutional and noted the parcel did not border the Seward Highway. Main Motion Passed,as amended Unanimous Consent Unfmished Business—None New Business Items— Resolution 2016404 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska recommending the City Council approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission priorities from April 2016 to April 2017 Glenz provided the Commission with the work session history and the direction provided by City Council. Among the annual priorities, Council did recommend working on City Code changes to allow the platting of 3,000 square foot lots. Motion(Swann/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2016-04 Anderson asked staff if the required Code changes to accommodate the platting of 3,000 square foot lots would be extensive. Glenz stated the required Code amendments would require extensive code review work to be sure no code conflicts were created. Glenz also said some coordination with the Kenai Peninsula City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 5,2016 Volume 7, Page 183 Borough platting department was needed because the Borough required minimum lot widths of 60 feet. Seese questioned why the City of Seward could not continue to develop and create 3,000 square foot lots as it wished. Glenz explained the Kenai Peninsula Borough obtained platting authority from the State and the City obtained Zoning from the Borough in 1978, but the Borough retained final platting authority. She noted the minimum lot size in the Borough Code is 6,000 square feet if served by public utilities. Glenz also noted there was a provision in the Borough Code that allowed smaller lots if the City established, by ordinance, different minimums. Glenz went on to note that the development of 3,000 square foot lots was difficult if there was not an alley to provide needed utilities. The Commission further discussed platting, alleys and related Code amendment issues. Commissioners voiced agreement that the Comprehensive Plan update was going to take a great deal of time and was the number one priority. Motion Passed Unanimous Discussion and Selection of a Commissioner to Present the Quarterly Report to the City Council at the April 11,2016 Meeting Glenz noted the City Council direction regarding quarterly reports, both written and in person. A Commissioner needed to review the report and be available for questions at the April 11 meeting. Ecklund requested a volunteer. Commissioner Fleming indicated she was available for the April 11 report'tn'City Council. Informational Items and Reports (No action required) FEMA Region X Newsletter 2016 Planning & Zoning Meeting Schedule and Calendar April Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting Reminder April 19 Work Session Reminder Commission Comments— Swann said he would be leaving town in approximately one week and was uncertain when he would return. City of Sewarct Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 5, 2016 Volume 7,Page 184 Anderson asked staff about the status of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Glenz said staff held a teleconference with the contractor, and directed Commissioners to the grant quarterly report provided as a laydown. In response to Fleming, Glenz said the contractor had begun work but did not know the specific dates for upcoming public meetings. Anderson asked about the recent dedication for the City's northern water tank. Glenz said the new tank was operational. Commissioner Coulter indicated that due to family health issues she was moving to Anchorage and would resign from the Planning and Zoning Commission. She thanked the Commission and staff,noting she had enjoyed her time on the Commission. Commissioners and staff thanked Coulter for her service and whished her well. Fleming asked about a water pump station in the area of the high school, which appeared to be removed. Glenz said the pump station was removed when the north water tank was put into operation. Citizens' Comments—None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:5• p.m. _ - 0 D ayne Y twoo• Cindy E• d P annin_ Tec 1,cian Chair (City Seal) %so .q. Rsfass., ��"� OF SEW eye o SP [TT[ L� o sj` •'•. 1,qg ♦ • .u.•.• �•� •