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they are outdated.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.
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