HomeMy WebLinkAbout02192008 Planning & Zoning MinutesCiry of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
February 19, 2008 Volume 6, Page 2 4 3
Call to Order
The February 19, 2008 Re-Scheduled Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning
Commission was called to order at 7:20 p.m. by Chair Marianna Keil.
Opening Ceremony
Commissioner Anderson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Roll Call
There were present:
Marianna Keil presiding, and
Kevin Clark Sue McClure
Margaret Anderson
comprising a quorum of the Commission; and
Bob Hicks, Community Development Director
Donna Glenz, Planning Assistant
Anne Bailey, Executive Liaison
Absent was: Sandie Roach'
City Administration Report
Community Development Director Bob Hicks updated the Commission of the following
business items:
• An individual expressed interest in building a yurt in Forest Acres. Hicks stated there was
opposition to a yurt but nothing prevented it if the building code was met. He stated
according to Title 15 there was nothing in the Code that would prevent someone from
building a yurt like structure. He asked if P & Z wanted to get involved in the matter of
aesthetics regulations in land use here in Seward and if they were interested they could
discuss this at a work session.
Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations -None.
Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items schednled for Public Hearing -
Jolund Luther, 2003 La Touche Circle, represented the Spring Creek Correctional Center
and asked for an extension of the Conditional Use Permit since the engineer plans for the 20 man
minimum facility had not been provided to the department. He asked for the Commissions
support.
City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
February 19, 2008 Volume 6, Page 2 4 4
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda -
Motion (Clark/McClure)
Approve the Agenda and the Consent
Agenda
By general consensus, Discussion of the Land Use Map versus the Zoning map was added to
the Agenda as New Business Item C.
Motion Passed as Amended
Unanimous Consent
The following items were approved under the Consent Agenda:
December 4, 200'1 Re-Scheduled Meeting Minutes
Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing -None
New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing
RESOLUTION 2008-01 RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL
OF AMENDING THE LAND USE PLAN AND REZONING OF LOTS 20, Zl
AND 22, CLEARVIEW SUBDIVISION NUMBER 6 FROM TWO FAMILY
RESH)ENTIAL (R2) TO AUTO COMMERCIAL (AC)
Hicks reviewed Resolution 2008-01 and the request to change lots from Two Family
Residential to Auto Commercial. He discussed what was on the zoning and land use maps and
stated letters of opposition were presented in the packet and as lay downs. He stated the Electric
Department found the current electrical systems inadequate and there was opposition from the
Public Works Department.
In response to Keil, Hicks explained in detail the current zoning map as what currently
existed and the land use map as the vision of the comprehensive plan. He gave the Commission
examples of what properties may be zoned in the future.
Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by Isw was noted and the
public hearing was opened.
David Kingsland, 11615 Bayview Place, spoke in opposition to the zoning change. He was
concerned about the impact of traffic on Phoenix Road and the land uses allowed on Auto
Commercial property.
Susan Ernst, 201 Marathon Drive, spoke in opposition to the zoning change. She
discussed the investments made in the neighborhood, her opposition against the encroachment of
Auto Commercial into the residential areas and the neighborhood quality of life.
City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
February 19, 2008 Volume 6, Page 2 9 5
Steve Leirer, 3640 Young Street Anchorage, AK 99508, spoke in favor of the rezone as the
~,., applicant. He listed the reasons the property should be rezoned, stated CIRI was interested in
purchasing the property and he addressed some of the citizen's concerns.
In response to Keil, Leirer discussed what lots were sold and his desire to rezone the azea.
Kenai Fjords Tours Director of Merida Operations Dan McDonald, 1702 Resurrection
Boulevard, discussed how Kenai Fjords Tours would use the property as a parking area and how
they considered the impact of the surrounding area.
No one else requested to be heard and the public hearing was closed.
Motion (Clark/Anderson) Approve Resolution 2008-O1
Keil expressed her concern that Auto Commercial had so many potential uses that were
allowed outright and discussed conditional use permits be required for uses that may not be
conducive near residential neighborhoods.
Clark referred to page 17 of the packet and discussed the utility easement and suggested
vacating the lot lines to create one lot.
In response to Anderson, Keil stated that you wuld not put a condition on the rezoning.
~,~, Keil took note of Carol Griswold's comments and stated that a parking lot was allowed outright in
auto commercial. She continued to discuss flood issues.
In response to Anderson, Keil stated that the horse corral was currently zoned Resource
Management and the Land Use Map had it as Auto Commercial.
Anderson stated there was a natural line for the proposed Auto Commercial zoning.
The Commission suspended the rules to allow the public to speak.
In response to Anderson, Leirer stated that plans had not been made for the horse corral
area but it could be used as auto commercial, a park or another use.
The Commission further discussed the rezone.
Clark proposed a motion to postpone, but the motion died due to lack of a second.
In response to Keil, Hicks stated that the applicant could apply for a replat vacating the
interior lot lines.
Glenn clarified that a vacation would be required before a commercial structure could be
built over an interior lot line.
Ciry of Seward Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
February 19, 2008 Volume 6, Page 2 4 6
The Commission continued discussing the issue of rezoning.
Motion Passed
Yes: Anderson, Clark, McClure
No: Keil
RESOLUTION 2008-03 GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO
KENAI FJORDS LODGING, LLC., DBA AS THE HOTEL SEWARD TO
OPERATE A DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT/LOUNGE WITHIN THE
HOTEL SEWARD AT 217 FIFTH AVENUE, LOT 12A, BLOCK 9,
ORIGINAL TOWNSITE OF SEWARD, IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS
DISTRICT
Hicks stated that alounge/drinking establishment was allowed in the Central
Business District with a Conditional Use Permit. He reported on the status of the liquor
license, no letters of opposition were received and staff recommended granting the
Conditional Use Permit.
In response to Anderson, Hicks clarified that the Commission would consider the
use of the hotel not the liquor license.
Notice of public bearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the
public hearing was opened.
Mary Kulstad, 221 5~' Avenue, thanked Planning and Zoning and Glenz. She stated that
the liquor license would be transferred and it was approved by the liquor board and they postponed
the bar opening because they had not had time to get the permits. She explained the layout of the
bar.
Susan Ernst, 201 Marathon Drive, stated she operated a business next to the Hotel Seward
and felt it was an appropriate venue for this and had no opposition to the bar.
No one else requested to be heard and the public hearing was closed.
Motiou (Clark /McClure)
Approve Resolution 2008-03
Clark disclosed that he owned and stayed in the building behind the Hotel Seward and had
no objections at this time.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Unfinished Business -None
New Business -
City of Seward Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
February 19, 2008 Volume 6, Page 2 47
RESOLUTION 2008-02 GRANTING AN EXTENSION TO CONDITIONAL
,,,,~ USE PERMIT 2007-04 ISSUED TO SPRING CREEK CORRECTIONAL
CENTER (SCCC) TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE AN ADDITIONAL 20-
BED MINIMUM SECURITY HOUSING UNIT ON THE CURRENT SCCC
MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON SITE, WITHIN THE INSTITUTIONAL
ZONING DISTRICT
Hicks explained that a Conditional Use Permit lapsed after six months if a building
permit had not been procured or the allowed use had not been initiated. He stated due to some
technical difficulties in the process Spring Creek Correctional Center had asked for an extension.
In response to Keil, Hicks clarified that this was for the 20-bed housing unit.
Motion (Anderson /Clark) Approve Resolution 2008-02
Keil stated the Commission had already granted the conditional use permit and hoped the
state would move forward with this.
The Commission suspended the rules to allow the public to speak.
In response to Clark, Luther stated that this was for the 20-bed minimum facility; which
was separate from the 144 medium security facility.
In response to Anderson, Luther stated that Spring Creek needed to get engineered plans
for the project and a building permit by June.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Land Use Map Versus Zoning Map Discussion
The Commission discussed the difference between the Land Use Map and the Zoning Map.
Informational Items -
On the River: A Guide to Owning and Managing Waterfront Property on the lienai
Peninsula presented by the Kenai River center and the Kenai Watershed Forum
Commission Comments -
In response to Anderson, Hicks stated that one Planning and Zoning Commissioner
application had been submitted.
Clark discussed the APOC form and said he was not sure he would fill it out. He stated
„r that March may be his last meeting unless Council could opt Sewazd out of the APOC
requirement.
City of Seward Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
February 19, 2008 Volume 6, Page 2 4 8
McClure concurred with Clark. She stated people should not be exposed as volunteers and
asked staff to look into this.
The Commission discussed the APOC form in Beat detail.
Citizens` Comments -
Jolund Luther, 2003 La Touche Circle, stated the Historic Preservation Commission had
discussed a historic district. He asked if the two Commissions would like to have a joint work
session to discuss the historic district.
Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments -None
The Commission discussed the historic district and were in favor of having a joint work
session with the Historic Preservation Commission.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:44p.m.
Ann Bailey,
Executive Liaison
-,
M anna Keil
Chair
(City Seal)
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