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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11072017 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes November 7, 2017 Volume 7, Page 253 CALL TO ORDER The November 7,2017 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning&Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. OPENING CEREMONY Commissioner Ambrosiani led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Martha Fleming Gary Seese Craig Ambrosiani Margaret Anderson Nathaniel Charbonneau Comprising a quorum of the Commission;and Also Present Ron Long, Community Development Director Jackie Wilde, Planner Stefan Nilsson, Building Inspector Absent Tom Swann-Excused CITY ADMINISTRATION REPORT Ron Long updated the Commission on the following business items: • Long introduced the new Planning Assistant,Andy Bacon. • Long stated that both Jackie Wilde and Andy Bacon would be attending the American Planning Association Conference, along with Commissioner Charbonneau. • Long is happy to say that the Community Development Department is fully staffed. Jackie Wilde updated the Commission on the following business items • Two new floodplain development permits were granted for Lowell Creek Tunnel ,; Mark Clemens • Council scheduled one meeting for month of November due to Municipal League Conference. The Council Meeting will take place on November 27, 2017. • Wilde attended the Seward-Bear Creek Flood Board meeting November 6,2017 they elected Randy Schaffer as Chair, and Mike Ganser as Vice Chair. City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes November 7, 2017 Volume 7,Page 254 • Wilde stated that the Commission will have full agenda with at least three public hearing items for December 5, 2017 meeting OTHER REPORTS,ANNOUNCEMENTS & PRESENTATIONS—None CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Cole Petersen,outside City limits,explained his plans to construct a 12 unit Micro apartment on land that he and his wife have purchased. Petersen had turned in a Conditional Use Permit Application,which was pulled by administration for not meeting the City Code Development Requirements prior to Commission being able to review. Petersen asked the criteria for what initiates consideration of a Conditional Use Permit.Mr.Petersen asked the Commission to review the Land Use Development Requirements,as he feels they are outdated. Jena Petersen,outside City limits,speaking in support above mentioned 12 unit Micro-apartment.Petersen distributed copies of their Conditional Use Permit application. Petersen stated that the City needs for more housing in Seward,as defined in several publicly held town hall meetings hosted by City Council. Petersen asked that the Commission review the Development Requirements at their next work session. Tom Tougas,inside City limits,discussed circumstances surrounding his past purchase of vacant land just south of the Third Avenue Tot Lot.Mr.Tougas also turned in a Conditional Use Permit application to build a Four-Plex,but discovered that his project also did not meet Development Requirements. Tougas stated that his property is zoned CBD,which would allow for a Commercial building to be constructed with zero lot lines,but asks why there is a minimum lot size required for Residential construction.Tougas also states that he supports the project described by Mr. &Mrs.Petersen. Carol Griswold, inside City, asks that the Commission make no changes to the Development Requirements without more public input. Ecklund stated that there would need to be two Public Hearings before changes were made to the Development Requirements Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Fleming/Anderson) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda The following item was approved on the Consent Agenda: August 29;2017 Meeting Minutes Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS ITEMS REQUIRING A PUBLIC HEARING — None City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes November 7, 2017 Volume 7, Page 255 NEW BUSINESS ITEMS REQUIRING A PUBLIC HEARING-None UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS ITEMS Review of City Code 15.10.220 Development Requirements Ecklund asked the Commissioners to refer to Table 15.10.220,included in agenda packet,and noted that there were changes made to the Development Requirements in 2008 and 2012.Ecklund did not recall discussing minimum buildable lot sizes in 2008 or 2012,and defers to City staff in addressing these questions from the public. Stefan Nilsson looked into minimum buildable lot size and does not think the requirement came from the building department.Nilsson discussed building department required setbacks required for safety. Ron Long stated that minimum buildable lot size is not a function of Building code; the policy comes from Development Requirements set forth in City Code.Long pointed out that just because a project meets building codes does not mean that it meets Development Requirements.Mr.Long then discussed criteria for issuing Conditional Use Permits(CUP), and stated that they are not meant to override City Code. CUPs allow other conditions to be added to a project to meet certain zoning requirements,but we cannot take away minimum requirements.Long discussed the process by which development code changes can be made. Fleming asked for clarification about why the CUP for the Petersen project never came to the Commission. Long explained the provisions of the code as they relate to a 12 unit residential complex.Ecklund reminded everyone that codes are not written in stone,and there are processes by which the public can propose changes. Ecklund continued discussion about the specifics of the Petersen's CUP application. Ambrosiani questioned Stefan Nilsson about building codes relating to small scale living spaces. Ecklund asked if all other conditions besides minimum buildable lot size were met in the Petersen CUP application. Long responded that the minimum parking space requirements were not met. Ecklund asked why Mr. Tougas' project was not approved. Long responded that Mr. Tougas' project proposed to build a 2000 sf structure on a 6000 sf lot but required a 9000 sf minimum lot size. Fleming clarified that the aforementioned work sessions were not P&Z Work Sessions but in fact Town Hall Meetings. Selection of a Commissioner to present the quarterly report at the November 27,2017 Council Meeting Fleming volunteered to present the quarterly report art the November 27, 2017 City Council Meeting. Ecklund offered to help write a report. Community Development staff will assist with providing information. City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes November 7, 2017 Volume 7,Page 256 Newly appointed Commissioner training for Commissioner Charbonneau,November 12,2017 Ecklund spoke in support of this training opportunity. Ambrosiani mentioned that he had not had the opportunity to attend this training, Wilde stated that she would try to get him enrolled. Approve the 2018 Planning and Zoning Meeting Schedule Motion (Ecklund/Seese) Approve the 2018 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting schedule,amended to remove the 12/18 work session • Motion Passed Unanimous Schedule and Set Topic of November 21,2017 Work Session Ecklund asked if there were any pending items up for discussion. Wilde stated that the camping code is up for review, but is still being worked on. Commissioners discussed moving the Work Session to November 28,2017 and placing discussion of Development Requirements on the agenda. Ecklund called for a Roll Call Vote. Motion (Fleming/Charbonneau) AYES: Ambrosiani, Seese, Fleming, Anderson,Charbonneau,Ecklund NOES: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required) Flood Board Quarterly Joint Work Session Reminder Ron Long: The Kenai Watershed Forum is looking to repair culverts leading into lagoon. 2018 Planning&Zoning Meeting Schedule Calendar City Manager's report September 29,2017 thru October 13,2017 FEMA Newsletters Commission Comments— Charbonneau: None Ambrosiani: Welcomed new staff and Commissioner, thanked City staff for attending, thanked public for attending Seese: Thanked to public for attending,welcomed new staff and Commissioner Anderson: Happy to see SMIC breakwater near completion, welcomed new Commissioner Fleming: Thanked the public for speaking at meeting, reminded the public that the process of amending code can move slowly. Ecklund: Welcomed new staff and Commissioner,thanked City staff for attending,and thanked the public for attending. Ecklund stated that she is in favor of affordable housing. Ecklund stated that she is looking forward to lagoon power lines being routed under the lagoon. Long: updated everyone on progress with the lagoon powerline project. City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes November 7, 2017 Volume 7, Page 257 Citizens' Comments Cole Petersen, thanked the Commission for listening. Petersen spoke about his commitment to Seward, commitment to transparency in this process. Discusses alternative projects that he could pursue instead of apartments,but would like to support affordable housing. Tom Tougas, stated that he is interested in volunteering to take part in a working group with City staff to go over Development Requirements. Tougas stated that there is a land shortage in Seward and would like to see amendments made to the Development Requirements. Jena Petersen,discussed alternative projects that she and her husband could pursue,but they would prefer to construct new housing to meet Seward's needs. Petersen stated that micro housing is becoming increasingly popular in Anchorage. Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments Andersen would like to amend District Regulations for Parking. Ecklund stated that prior to reviewing Code, Commission will request that Community Development staff provide Code examples from other cities to inform the review process. Long reminded everyone that making changes to the code will not be fast or easy,nor should it be. Long stated that the public process moves slowly to ensure adequate opportunity for public participation. Seese discussed the land shortage in Seward and the need to change code to accommodate population growth Stefan Nilsson told the Commission that the new ladder truck is stationed at SMIC, and is too far from town to respond to fires,making increases to the maximum building height impossible at this time. ADJOURNMENT (Ecklund/Fleming) The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 PM. LL.L3tsaup _ ear Ja. Wilde Cin• klund Planner Cha o (City Seal)• • i SEAL .'._ ® 0), •`2iHE 1,1`x;••'�Q'.' € OF PA"' •'��acr�asss.�S,s