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Home My WebLink About04212009 Planning & Zoning Minutes('iry nfScx~ard. Alaskn Plcmning_ Contmrssion A9inules lpril ?1, ?009 6'nhune G. Page 327 Call to Order The April 21, 2009 Special Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Roach'. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Heinrich led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Sandie Roach' presiding, and Sue McClure Cindy Lcklund Christina Stauffer Steven Heinrich Tena Morgan comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, Associate Planner Anne Bailey, Executive Liaison City Administration Report Associate Manner Donna Glenz updated the Commission of the following business items: • The Seward Highway would have a full road closure Friday, April 24. 2009 at 10:00 p.m. through Monday. April 27, 2009 at 5:00 a.m. There would be further restrictions to commercial vehicles weighing over 30,000 pounds feom May through September. Contact Christy Terry for more information. • A Flood Plain Development Permit had been applied for the Sheffler G~eelJDairy Hill culvert replacement and the fish ditch improvements. The City had work with the Kenai Peninsula Watershed Forum on the project. • The Port and Commerce Advisory Board reviewed and postponed a resolution in support of the Polar Consult Fourth of July Creek hydro-project. The Board requested rnore inlonnation from the company. • The Seward Community was invited to assist with the Pavilion Project. Volunteers were needed from May 18-27, 2009. If interested call 224-4049. • Still need one Plvuling and Zoning Commissioner and the City had not received any applications. • The Forest Service would hold an open house on May 13, 2009 at the Loussac Library in Anchorage and one on May 14, 2009 in Girdwood to discuss the Whistle Stop Project. Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations -None Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items scheduled for Public Hearing -None -- Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda - City of Sex=card, .11r~ska Anr~i! 21, 2009 Motion (Ecklund/McClure) Motion Passed Plunnln,~ Cornmi.rrion Minuses Volume 6, Pa,Qe 32 8 Approve the Agenda and the Consent Agenda Unanimous Consent The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: April 7, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing -None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing - RESOLUTION 2009-09 Granting a Sign Ordinance Variance to Vanta Shafer, DBA Cover to Cover Bookstore, for a Non-Illuminated Projecting Sign without a Marquee, Approximately 7.5 Square Feet (30 inches by 35 inches), at Lot 12A, Block 10, Original Townsite of Seward, 215 Fourth Avenue, Central Business District ~cnB> Glenn reviewed Resolution 2009-09 and discussed the Seward Cily Sign Code. She stated the Building Department was concerned about the extreme winds and the sign design meeting the wind loads. She stated staff recommended approval of Resolution 2009-09 if the conditions were met. McClure noted she volunteered at the book store but received no compensation. Roach' determined McClure did not have a conflict in interest. Morgan slated she would work for the book store this summer. Roach' determined Morgan did not have a contict in interest. In response to Staufler, Glenn stated the signs hanging under marquees were allowed by code and were not considered projecting signs. In response to Ecklund, Glenn stated there were projecting signs over marquees in the downtown area, she explained hanging sign requirements, and discussed the signs in the public right-of-way. In response to Heinrich, Glenn explained how the sign would be projected, there was not an official process requiring an engineered sign, and the ultimate responsibility of the sign design was the owner. Heinrich voiced concern about the sign Tailing and possibly hurting someone in the public right-of-way. Cih- uJ.4e~+~ur~1 ~~1lcteka Plnnnn~g Cont»iission lLlrnulrs ,drn•il Z1. 2009 Volaune (, Puge 329 C~lenz fiiri'her explained the public right-ot=way. In response to Morgan, Glenz stated there were nol any illegal signs or variances regarding prgjecting signs downtown and explained there was a section of the code that addressed non- cunCorming issues. She explained the Seward A)ehouse sign was a legal non-conforming sign of which could not increased in any way. Ecklund clarified the hanging signs were allowed by code in the public right-of way and discussed liability if someone was injured. In response to Ecklund, Ulenz stated the hanging signs were allowed and a variance was not needed. The Commission suspended the rules to allow Vanta Shafer to speak. Shaler discussed the size of the Cover to Cover sign. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Vanta Shafer, inside City limits, appreciated the Commission's time on reviewing the variance. She stated she was concerned with the wind and a company was creating and anchoring ._ the sign. She noted that if the sign hurt someone she would ultimately he held liable but the City should be concen~ed with sidewalk snow removal She discussed the code and the importance of a business being noticeable. No one else requested to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Heinrich/Ecklund) Approve Resolution 2009-09 Heinrich confirmed the sign would he installed by a professional. Stauffer supported Resolution 2009-09, stated the City needed a bookstore, and the sign would be attractive on the building. McClure thought lire City needed to encourage business, stated this was a well thought out plan, and supported the Resolution. Morgan stated she did not want to see condemned buildings downtown and wanted to encourage husiness. Roach' read Seward City Code section 15.36 granting variances into the record and she thought there was no reason to deny this variance request. Ciw nlSex~ard, Alaska Agri! ? 1, 2009 Pkuai~ing Canmzrssion ,ti~1in~~les L'nlniueli, Paxe330 Glenn pointed uut Roach' had read the Zoning and Land Use Variance Procedures and the Sign Variance Procedures were written in Resolution 2009-09. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business- None New Business - Nonc Informational items and Reports (No action required) -None Commission Comments - Stauffer stated she liked the nice, focused, and short meeting. Heiurich thought this was a way to bring people into compliance. Roach' commented it was nice to have Shafer follow the proper sign variance procedures. Citizens' Comments - Vanta Shafer thanked the Commission and discussed the $250 1'ee to apply for a variance. Shc recommended the fees he looked at. Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments - Roach' discussed the lee and said she understood Shafer's concern. Glenn said the fees were set by Council. it had been suggested the fees he increased.. the fees went to the general fund, and it paid for the mai I outs and other expenses. Stauffer discussed reorganising the code. fee. I?cklund stated she was confused with the fees and understood there should be a nominal Roach' agreed she did not want to make a hardship on businesses and thought it could be addressed in the code. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m. °,1~pwe~aMoe ,n ilnne Bailey .°.t, .+t,,~~, • Executive Liaison e° C ~ (City Seal) : ~ • _. __~ u ._. :, is ~•,.. •%lrJ, ~'.`ff~d:i.. ~ fig s..' ~ ,~~ ~T~ d~ A~'~~ a~~ ~ C Sandie Roach' Chair