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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes1993-001 Sponsored by Tones CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 93-001 A RESOLUTION OF THE SEWARD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, RECOMMENDING THE SEWARD SMALL BOAT HARBOR MASTER PLAN TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION WHEREAS, the City of Seward completed and adopted a Comprehensive Plan in 1985 and updated the Plan in 1990; and WHEREAS, a recommendation of the Comprehensive Plan includes completing a Small Boat Harbor Master Plan to guide the management of Seward's harbor area; and WHEREAS, the demand for increased commercial development, parking and boat moorage makes it imperative that the City adopt a Small Boat Harbor Master Plan; and WHEREAS, during the months of December 1992 and January 1993 numerous meetings involving in excess of 100 individuals were held to discuss and develop a Small Boat Harbor Master Plan; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission that: Section 1. The Seward Small Boat Harbor Master Plan, attached and incorporated herein by reference, is recommended for approval by the City Council. Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission this 3rd day of February, 1993. THE CITY OF SEWARI?, ALASKA SMALL BOAT HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN SEWARD, ALASKA ~ Of: Sf2Js;; ~'9<il' ~ ,:~~'O " '~'>"-"~ -~ ~~~ Prepared by: The City of Seward Staff Prepared For and Adopted by: Seward Planning and zoning commission _, 1993 city Council of the city of Seward -' 1993 .....T..U.. .~.. ,; ~.- !r' ....\ \or .~~-,..... ,/~..bt.-. "'{ \.i~'*:~ ~ :r J~':,f.P J.4:, j' ,./) v.; , ,I ~ ~ ,. ~ " ......, <~?)~ :. ~-c.>-I" '" ii ) ~( ( "'" ~ Ii 'f:) J '.~ .1KtlICIl ' '; i ,~ \'",-( INTRODUCTION The Small Boat Harbor Management Plan is a direct outgrowth of the comprehensive plan's purpose of enhancing the quality-of-life in Seward through a series of large and small actions implemented by the public and private sectors. This plan provides the city as harbor managers and upland owner, the State as the inner harbor facility owner, and the harbor users representing the general public an action guide for management and development of the Seward Small Boat Harbor. Implementation of this plan is meant to bring about an even more vibrant and successful Seward Small Boat Harbor known for: ** ITS WELL MAINTAINED AND SAFE INNER HARBOR FACILITIES ** ITS HEALTHY DIVERSITY EVIDENCED BY AN COMPLIMENTARY MIX OF RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL VESSELS ** THOUGHTFULLY PLANNED LAND DEVELOPMENT MAINTAINING A BALANCE BETWEEN MARINE ORIENTED PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL ORIENTED TOWARD BOTH USERS AND VISITORS ** A HIGH LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS ** ITS FULL RANGE OF MODERN PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES ** ITS HARBOR MANAGEMENT TEAM THAT OPERATES EFFICIENTLY AND IS RESPONSIVE TO THE DESIRES OF ITS CUSTOMERS AND USERS ** ITS HIGH STANDARDS OF APPEARANCE, LANDSCAPING AND CLEANL:INESS Whereas the comprehensive plan contains both advisory and bindinq elements, the small boat harbor management plan has only advisory elements composed of goals, issues and actions. The binding element of the comprehensive plan is the land use plan which is a legal document that must be adhered to and revised only by ordinance. Although there are land use issues discussed within the small boat harbor management plan, they are all within the established Harbor commercial District described in the Land Use Plan. As part of the development of this plan, city staff held a number of meetings in Seward and Anchorage with various public boards and commissions, the Seward Chamber of commerce and yacht clubs representing the harbor vessel owners. The meetings were held from December 1992 thru February 1993, involved hundreds of participants. The issues raised and recommendations made by the individuals and organizations involved in these meetings are reflected in this document. 1 HARBOR DEVELOl)MENT GOAL Strengthen and diversify the economy of Seward through the development and expansion of the Small Boat Harbor as Seward's maritime-related business district Manaaement 1. The harbor is manaqed based on state and local codes and a state/City Boat Harbor Manaqement Aqreement a. AdministrativelY review and recommend update of the city code as needed relating to management of the harbor b. The expiring Management Agreement with state of Alaska needs review and renegotiation c. Evaluate further separation of small boat harbor accounting from the syncrolift accounting 2. Vessel mooraqe slips are not turninq over for assiqnment as quickly as expected by the public a. strengthen the city code with regard to vessels moored within the harbor being required, at the Harbormaster's discretion, to be able to move under their own power/ and with the exception of non- motorized sailing vessels, without the aid of auxiliary outboard motors b. Be more forceful in demanding compliance with existing state and city code relating to the removal of abandoned and/or derelict vessels within the harbor c. In order to maintain a true picture of harbor slip demand, continue charging a fee to persons wanting their name on the moorage stall list 3 e. Provide encouragement for groups to assist in upgrading facilities such as the safety ladders on the floats 7. There is a desire on the part of the public for additional harbormaster services a. Recognizing the operational constraints created by the travelift operation, evaluate staffing availability and services desired. b. within budget constraints explore the possibilities of expanding harbor personnel coverage to 24 hours to provide radio coverage and vessel monitoring and dock security Inner Harbor ImDrovements 1. since the construction of the harbor in the mid to late 60'S, many of the inner harbor facilities have deteriorated to the point of being unsafe a. Continue working with the state of Alaska to establish a funding program to upgrade and replace aging harbors, statewide b. continue to identify, upgrade and/or replace aging facilities such as electrical and water utility systems, floatation, pilings, etc. and give priority attention to those that might create life threatening hazards c. continue to collect the capital projects fee as part of the annual moorage fee with funds to be used for inner harbor projects, upgrades and repairs 2. A number of accidents have occurred on the float access ramps a. In conjunction with the new handicap accessible ramp under construction on D float evaluate repairing or replacing ramp grating on other floats b. Because of the number of day cruise and charter passengers using the ramps, work with them to have their staff at the ramp during embarking and disembarking times to advise people of the proper way to use the ramps 3. There is a need for an in and out loading wharf within the harbor to reduce wear and tear on the float system a. Evaluate the development of a sheet pile wharf and additional ground at the northwest corner of the harbor, complete with water, electricity and crane facilities. 5 New harbor develoDment and excansion 1. Mooraqe waitinq list, raftinq of vessels, and increase in day cruise/charter operations are all indicators that there is a demand for additional boat mooraqe in Seward a. Establish as mutual priorities the better utilization of the existing harbor, expanding the existing harbor and constructing the a new harbor at Nash Road b. continue working all issues simultaneously so as not to exclude one opportunity from the other 2. The qreatlY changed size and types of vessels using the harbor since it was built is taxing the design capacity of the facilities a. Evaluate ways to gain maximum utilization of inner harbor space such as repositioning of floats, sheet pile and capping of rubble mound breakwaters to provide additional useable basin area as well as possible dock space, etc. b. Work to repair and/or replace all deteriorated float, piling, utility systems c. Consider removing the floatplane dock on D float and replacing it with additional boat stalls 3. The Corps of Engineers has determined the southward harbor expansion as not feasible and has recommended the eastward harbor expansion project move to the feasibility study level a. Continue to support the evaluation of the feasibility of expanding and maximizing the potential of the existing Small Boat Harbor b. During the studies and development stages consider the effect of coal dust from the adjacent coal loading facility on boats that will be moored in the proposed eastward expansion area 4. A private developer continues to be interested in constructing the Nash Road small Boat Harbor as a private project a. Continue to work with local developer to construct Nash Road Harbor as a privately constructed and operated harbor based on market needs b. Continue to pursue obtaining a Corps of Engineer permit for construction of the Nash Road Harbor 7 b. Do not allow any additional buildings to be constructed unless they meet adopted building and fire codes c. Considering its upcoming 1995 lease expiration, as quickly as possible, determine if there is a higher and better public use for the site now occupied by Alaska Treks N Voyages before negotiating any lease renewal or extension 3. A proper balance between business development, availability and parking needs is required of limited upland in order to ensure an efficient harbor operation land area a. As a first priority, ensure that existing lease sites are fully developed before making any additional public lands available for commercial lease development b. Under no circumstances should commercial development of existing parking areas be allowed without at least providing spaces required under the zoning code and replacement of lost parking spaces c. For the time being maintain tidelands for public uses until existing upland lease sites become fully developed and adequate parking availability and management has been achieved d. In the future, thoroughly evaluate the pros and cons of tideland development with regard to further commercial development; aesthetics from both the land and the water; intertidal wildlife activity; shore erosion control; piling development versus steel or PVC sheet piling which might provide shoreline expansion and deeper shoreline harbor draft; navigation; moorage etc. e. Keeping aesthetics and land use maximization in mind, review the city zoning development requirements with regard to building setbacks in relation to streets, fire lanes, waterfront, and adjacent buildings; maximum lot coverage; and building heights f. continue to maintain a separation between commercial recreational uses and the industrial type uses found at the north end of the harbor area public and Institutional Land Use 1. Limited harbor land continues to be tied up with long term boat storage as well as storage of abandoned, derelict and seized vessels a. continue to maintain monthly fees for dry storage of boats at a level that will encourage development of private boat storage areas b. Increase boat storage fees after May 15th to encourage removal of stored boats in favor of summer vehicle parking 9 T~TATION FACILITIES GOAL Sufficient safe, . cle~m, convenient vehicle access and parking to satisfy the needs of harbor users and visitors parkina 1. Based on zoning code parking requirements and current demands, the total number of existing public and private parking spaces is significantly less than required of existing businesses and the marina a. Determine the amount of parking necessary to serve the businesses and the harbor boat owners and visitors b. Review and revise zoning code parking requirements related to future harbor expansion and commercial development c. Specifically review parking requirement as relates to the needs of day cruise operators 2. Parking of vehicles and trailers along Third Avenue provides additional public harbor area parking a. Monitor pedestrian and traffic safety assoclated with parking along Third Ave b. Restrict parking within 100 feet of each intersection c. Post appropriate highway signs to denote what is and what is not allowed along Third Avenue between Van Buren Street and Port Avenue 3. Boat owners and those who work in the harbor feel the public has forgotten that the harbor, the boats and the workers make the harbor business district possible a. Invite representatives from the boating community to be involved in establishing parking management guidelines b. Consider issuing a parking permit as part of the annual boat moorage fee that would be good on a space available basis for the time limits posted, without having to pay parking fees 11 streets 1. There are limited vehicle access points to the harbor area a. Continue to maintain the Fourth Avenue extension to Port Avenue to allow industrial area employees and visitors to have access to harbor shops and services and to lessen the traffic burden at the Seward Highway - Port Avenue intersection. b. As demand presents itself, encourage parking and shuttle service outside the harbor area Pedestrians 1. Intermittent sidewalks force pedestrians on and off the street a. Continue sidewalk development along North and South Harbor Streets between 3rd and 4th Avenues b. Continue sidewalk along 4th Avenue to the railroad passenger depot c. Consider crosswalks across 3rd Avenue to tie the lagoon boardwalk with sidewalks on North and South Harbor Streets 2. Al though The Boardwalk Along the Harbor Shore Line is an Attractive Pedestrian Way it is Not Complete a. City complete the boardwalk system between F float and the Yacht Club. b. Extension of boardwalk should continue to be a condition attached to any future shoreline development Rail and Buses 2. Transportation systems such as rail, buses and trolleys can greatly reduce the traffic and parking impact on the harbor area. a. Work with the Alaska Railroad to provide expanded passenger service to reduce the number of vehicles using the harbor b. Provide bus and trolley loading zones at strategic points along 4th Avenue to encourage their use, lessen interference with street traffic, and reduce harbor parking pressures i.e. in front of park service visitors center and railroad depot c. Work with Chamber of Commerce and businesses to continue operation of the trolley to move visitors from the military camps, downtown and campgrounds to the harbor and back 13 4. with the number of out of town and state fishinq vessels, carqo ships and cruise ships there has often been discussed the need for a seaman center for vessel crew members a. continue to explore the need for such a center possibly through established organizations or churches 5. street and parking lot lighting is inadequate a. Continue street lighting along Fourth Avenue and in the parking lot areas for safety b. In addition to street lights, install ornamental street lighting similar to those proposed downtown to add warmth to the harbor business area c. Consider installing 4 or 5 high mast lights around the harbor basin to provide broad lighting of the harbor basin public Safetv 1. The harbor activities by nature create potential safety hazards a Identify safety hazards in the harbor such as fuel spills, electrical, facility failures, etc. b. The harbormaster, local fire chief, Coast Guard, and others should work in concert to development an emergency response plan for the harbor. c. Evaluate alternatives for relocating fish cleaning stations off the access ramps to avoid slippery decks created by fish slime 2. Because of its size, power and moorage location deep inside the harbor there is concern that the Coast Guard cutter MUSTANG is unable to respond to emergencies as quickly as they would like to a. The Coast Guard are good neighbors and their mere presence in the harbor provides additional harbor security b. In cooperation with the Coast Guard, evaluate the adequacy of the MUSTANG's present moorage location and associated shore support facility against a location at either X Float, or possibly the proposed B Street Dock b. Should a relocation be of benefit, work with Coast Guard in regard to use of existing facility and construction of relocated shore support facility c. Evaluate the existing facility for possible public or commercial uses 15 3. The drainage system between the lagoon and the bay is inadequate during extreme storm and high tide conditions a. Consider deepening the drainage ditch and cleaning out culverts to allow greater flow of water b. Evaluate installing smaller parallel culverts under 3rd and 4th Avenues to accommodate extreme high water conditions 4. The New pish Waste Barge has helped reduced Odors from Public Cleaning and Disposal of pish at In the Small Boat Harbor Basin a. Explore the possibility of installing additional public fish cleaning facilities to reduce the concentration of fish waste b. Evaluate developing fish cleaning stations with waste barges along the tidelands rather than directly on the float access ramps c. Dump fish waste barges often enough keep odors down d. Encourage the use of fish waste by the private sector or daily removal of waste to decrease odor problems 5. Odors Generated by the pish By Products Plant Continue to be Offensive to Users and visitors in the Harbor Area. a. Continue to encourage the fish by products plant operator to minimize offensive odors, to the greatest degree possible Waste Kanaaement 1. There is no where in Resurrection Bay that a vessel can be 3 miles from shore to legally dump on board toilets a. Although it would be technically difficult because of local tide conditions explore the feasibility of installing a vessel pump out station in the harbor and whether or not vessels can or are capable of using such a facility 2. Dumpster size, location and pickup schedules are of concern in maintaining a clean harbor a. Rather than installing fewer larger containers, work with local sanitation company to either place additional dumpsters throughout the harbor or pick up the existing ones more often b. Locate containers just off fire lanes, and paint or screen dumpsters to improve appearance c. In order to reduce trash scattered by birds and wind, install lids on dumpsters, but make them light enough to be easily lifted by people 17 APPEARANCE GOAL Improve the appearance of the harbor area through landscaping, beautification and litter control efforts as well as development of public amenities LandscaDina and Beautification 1. More and More Asphalt and Concrete Being Installed to Accommodate Pedestrian and Vehicular Traffic Detracts From the Natural Beauty of the Area a. Balance this with beautification of the area through increased landscaping required in conjunction with development projects and through the landscaping of public areas to the greatest degree possible without blocking harbor views b. Work with the business owners in the area to consider locating trees in containers that can be removed from the area during the off-season c. Encourage business owners to consider hanging flower baskets in front of their establishments d. Work with business owners and the Downtown Merchants to extend the street light banners on through the harbor area 2. Areas of High Litter Found In The Small Boat Harbor a. Work to encourage business owners to sweep walks on a regular basis -- if volunteer effort does not ~ork, the city will consider requirement by City ordinance b. In cooperation with local organization/group sponsors, encourage business owners to participate in the Spring and additional Fall clean-up days c. Develop and implement a more aggressive street sweeping schedule 3. Inadequate Numbers of Trash Receptacles Provided by Merchants for Pedestrian and customer Use a. Work with local sanitation company and merchants to provide trash receptacles along sidewalks and boardwalks b. Possibly the merchants could work with the spring Creek Correctional Center to develop creative container covers 19 PL~ IMPLEMENTATION For the city of Seward to realize the benefits of the Small Boat Harbor Master Plant and, thereby, ensure sound growth and development, aggressive actions must be taken by not only the city of Seward, but by many other actors within the community, Borough and state of Alaska. Following is presented several specific actions which are necessary to ensure the successful implementation of this plan. Adootion of the Plan The city council should adopt the Plan upon completion and recommendation for such adoption by the zoning and planning commission. Following the city council's adoption of the plan, the city will forward a copy to the Borough and appropriate state agencies. use of the Plan The Plan will be used by the city of Seward as a guide for the sound, quality growth and development of the harbor. The plan -- as a guide __ will remain flexible. While it is anticipated that all actions presented in this plan will be implemented, it is recognized that changing conditions within the future may necessitate modifications to planned actions or the introduction of additional actions to satisfy local needs. The Plan and caoital BUdaetinq The plan will be used as a guide for the capital budgeting process of the city of Seward. The city recognizes the critical role of plans as key program documents of the capital budgeting process. Uodate of the plan Normally, the city revisits its comprehensive plan annually with an overall update every five years. For at least two reasons, it is strongly urged that the harbor plan be reviewed annually and if there are significant changes, to update it within three years. The main reason is that this is the first ever harbor plan with no track record of issues and projects. An annual review will help track accomplishments, changes and inadvertent omissions. Second, the strong possibility of a new harbor at Nash Road and or the road access to Whittier may significantlY alter the demand on the harbor. 21 Seward Planning and Zoning Commission Resolution No. 93-001 AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Bardarson, Carpenter, Castellina, Shaw & Sutherland None Kowalski None ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Perkins Coie, Attorneys for the City of Seward, Alaska Vl~~ ..~. .~(.N~ tJUinda S. Murphy, CMC/AAE City Clerk ~ 1lI~ Fred B. Arvidson City Attorney (City Seal)