HomeMy WebLinkAbout03062018 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
March 6, 2018 Volume 7, Page 269
CALL TO ORDER
The March 6, 2018 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
Martha Fleming Nathanial Charbonneau Gary Seese
Comprising a quorum of the Board; and
Also Present
Jackie C. Wilde, Planner
Andy Bacon, Planning Assistant
Excused: Craig Ambrosiani
Absent: Tom Swann
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Administration Report
Jackie Wilde updated the Commission on the following business items
• A one-year extension was issued for a Floodplain Development Permit on the repair of
fenders at the Alaska Railroad cruise ship dock
• The Seward Harbormaster would like to invite the Commission to the Seward Marine
Industrial Center relaunch on April 20-21, 2018
• Community Development has been fulfilling directives from City Council in responding to
community needs and desires
• Community Development has been working on updating all forms and applications on the
City webpage and has added an interactive GIS Zoning map to the City webpage
• Planning staff will continue to review of Camping Code and Development Requirements
• The audit of lodging permits from 2014 through 2017 is ongoing
• Seward permitting and agency information day is April 24th
City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
March 6, 2018 Volume 7, Page 270
Other Reports, Announcements, and Presentations
1. Proclamation honoring Margaret Anderson
PROCLAMATION OF APPRECIATION TO MARGARET
ANDERSON FOR HER SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF
SEWARD ALASKA
MARCH 6,2018
WHEREAS, the most lasting thing a person can give to their community is their time
and commitment; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Anderson has served her community as an elected and appointed
representative for over 35 years; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Anderson was elected to serve as a City Council member in 1993
and was elected Vice-Mayor in 1995 until serving out her term in 1997; and
WHEREAS, Margaret was appointed to serve on City Council in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Margaret served as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner from 2006 to
2009 and again from 2014 to 2018; and
WHEREAS, Margaret has been involved in many boards, commissions and community
organizations including the Hospital Board, the Historic Railroad Depot Commission, and
Seward Rotary Club; and
WHEREAS, Margaret has been an active member of the Seward business community as
past owner of Resurrection Bay Seafoods and Marathon Fuel;
WHEREAS, throughout her many years of service, Margaret has served the people of
this City with fairness and dedication, further, she has earned the respect and admiration of the
City of Seward for her knowledge, efficiency, and humor:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED, I, Cindy Ecklund, Chair of the Seward
Planning and Zoning Commission, do hereby acknowledge Margaret Anderson's exemplary
years of service and especially for her positive contributions to the City of Seward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Planning and Zoning commission takes great
pleasure in recognizing Margaret Anderson's achievements and herewith expresses its sincere
gratitude for the invaluable contributions she has made to the City of Seward and its citizens.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this statement of appreciation be appropriately
inscribed and conveyed to Margaret Anderson with a copy to be included in the official minutes
of the March 16, 2018, meeting of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission.
City of Sewarc4 Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
March 6, 2018 Volume 7, Page 271
111 CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING—
Cole Petersen,outside city,thanked the Commission for all the time and effort they have put in to
discussing land use requirements. Petersen stated that he did not support the creation of long term
camping areas for the seasonal employees of businesses in Seward.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Fleming/Charbonneau) Amend the Agenda to add Item 9 E
under New Business to calendar and
set topic for a Work Session.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Motion (Fleming/ Charbonneau) Approval of Agenda as amended
and Consent Agenda
The following item was approved on the Consent Agenda:
Approval of January 16, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion Passed Unanimous
Public Hearings
A. Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing - None
B. New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing
2018-002 Resolution of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward,
Alaska, recommending City Council approval of the Rezoning of Lot B1 Forest Acres Levee
Replat, from Resource Management(RM)to Auto Commercial (AC), and vacation of interior
utility easement
Wilde stated that the applicant put forward this Zoning amendment to bring their property into
conformance with the Future Land Use Plan. Wilde further stated that the request to vacate the
interior utility easement was due to a replat of Lot B1 that increased the Lot size and enveloped the
easement. When the replat of Lot B1 was finalized,utility easements were platted around the west
and north lot lines.The utility easement in question was permitted to GCI.GCI and City of Seward
utility staff were given notice of the request to vacate this utility easement and Planning staff
received no objection. GCI staff specifically stated in an email that they were not opposed to the
vacation of this utility easement.
Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the
public hearing was opened.
City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
March 6, 2018 Volume 7,Page 272
Ecklund asked about a portion of a plat of Lot B1 that was included in the meeting packet, and
noted that an incomplete plat would not be accepted by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Platting
Commission. Wilde replied that a rezone application did not require a full plat and that this
portion of the plat was included for reference only.
Hearing no one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Motion (Fleming/Seese) 2018-002 Resolution Of The Seward
Planning And Zoning Commission Of The
City Of Seward, Alaska, Recommending
City Council Approval Of The Rezoning Of
Lot B1 Forest Acres Levee Replat, From
Resource Management (RM) To Auto
Commercial (AC), And Vacation Of
Interior Utility Easement
Motion Passed Unanimous
2018-003 Resolution of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward,
Alaska,recommending City Council approval of the Cliff Addition Thomas Replat Number
Two,a re-subdivision of Lot 15A Block 6 Cliff Addition Thomas Replat, creating two Lots
known as Lot 15B and 16B
Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the
public hearing was opened.
Charbonneau asked for clarification on the location of the shed in the alley Right of Way.
Fleming asked for clarification that this platting action only requests the division of one Lot into
two,and asked about the location of a trash receptacle shed located in front of the property.
Wilde stated that this platting action will result in the subdivision of one Lot into two Lots that will
be similar in size to the originally platted Lots. Lot 15A is currently improved with a single-family
home,and the newly created Lot 15B will be slightly larger in order to meet setback requirements for
the single-family home.The preliminary plat shows two encroachments from the proposed Lot 15B
into the undeveloped alley right of way.The surveyor stated that the property owner could have the
temporary shed moved prior to final plat approval. The chain link fence that encroaches
approximately one foot into the same alleyway was constructed without a building permit,as Code
does not require building permits for fences less than seven feet.The encroachment will be allowed
to remain,but not improved upon or reconstructed once it is past its useable life.The proposed Lot
16B is undeveloped,except for a gravel driveway along its north Lot line. The creation of Lot 16B
will not result in any new encroachments or expand any nonconformity. To date, Community
Development has received no public comment on this platting action. City Staff have reviewed the
preliminary plat and have no objection,but have stated that they recommend that the property owner
install additional protection around the electric pedestal that is located near the proposed Lot line that
will separate Lots 15B and 16B.
City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
March 6, 2018 Volume 7, Page 273
Fleming requested that submitted platting applications be included in future meeting packets.
Ecklund requested that the staff comment section of the agenda statement include greater detail
about staff comments,by including this information in a table.
Wilde replied that planning staff will include this information in future meeting packets.
Motion (Charbonneau/Fleming) Amend The Title Of The Resolution To
Delete The Words "Replat Number Two"
And Replace With "2018 Addition"
Motion Passed Unanimous
Motion (Fleming/Seese) 2018-003 Resolution Of The Seward
Planning And Zoning Commission Of The
City Of Seward, Alaska, Recommending
City Council Approval Of The Cliff
Addition Thomas Replat 2018 Addition,A
Re-Subdivision Of Lot 15A Block 6 Cliff
Addition Thomas Replat, Creating Two
Lots Known As Lot 15B And 16B
Motion Passed AYES: Charbonneau, Seese, Fleming,
Ecklund
NOES: none
UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None
NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion of April 2018—October 2019 Priorities
Wilde notified the Commission that there is an upcoming meeting to discuss updating
Planning and Zoning Commission priorities, and that the 2017 priorities were included in
this meeting packet for reference.
C. Approve March 20,2018 Work Session Topic "Joint Flood Board Meeting"
Wilde notified the Commission that the Hazard Mitigation Plan will be the topic of
discussion.
Ecklund polled Commissioners to confirm that there will be a quorum.
Wilde stated that Staff will send out a meeting reminder email.
E. Calendar and set topic for a Work Session
Commissioners discussed scheduling a Work Session for April 3rd at 5:30 PM to review draft
Ordinances for Development Requirements and Camping Code.
Wilde asked Commissioners if,in instances where a Work Session is scheduled to take place
prior to a Regular Meeting,they would like her to advertise to the public that a Work Session
may be resumed immediately following the Regular Meeting.Commissioners approved that
by consensus.
City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
March 6, 2018 Volume 7, Page 274
Informational Items and Reports
A. Planning and Zoning "Did You Know"
Wilde told everyone that the Community Development office had recently been made aware of a few
address numbering discrepancies between the City, Borough and local businesses, resulting from
property owners obtaining or providing inaccurate information.Wilde stated that she was working to
correct these with all interested parties,and meant for this informational bulletin to remind everyone
that the most important reason for accurate address numbering is to aid emergency responders.
Commission Comments
Charbonneau thanked Staff for the information packets provided to the Commission.
Seese seconded Commissioner Charbonneau's comment
Fleming stated that she would encourage everyone to thank Margaret Anderson when they see her.
Fleming also thanked Staff for continuing their work on analysis of nightly lodging and housing
needs in Seward.
Ecklund stated that she appreciates the information that Staff provides,and thanks the Community
Development Department for the work they are taking on,but also cautions Staff against taking on
too much.
Citizens' Comments
Brad Snowden,inside city,suggested that the Commission consider raising the maximum building
height, at least in the Central Business District,in response to the City of Seward's acquisition of a
ladder fire truck.
Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments
Ecklund reminded everyone that at this time the ladder truck is on the other side of the bay,and until
the ladder truck can be housed on this side of the bay the Commission will not be considering a
change to maximum building height. Ecklund further stated to follow up on her previous comment;
she is not concerned with Staff analysis of nightly lodging in Seward, since that is something the
Commission has requested in the past. Ecklund was specifically concerned with the Community
Development Forum and the potential for Staff to spend time putting something together that may
receive little public participation.
Wilde responded that this Forum may come in the form of an online resource for the public.
ADJOURNMENT (Charbonneau/Seese)
The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
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