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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05192009 Planning & Zoning MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Muv 19, 2009 Call to Order Planning Commission Minuses Volume 6, Page 3 3 6 The May 19, 2009 Special Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Roach'. Opening Ceremony Commissioner McClure led the Pledge of Allegiance to the t1ag. Roll Call There were present: Sandie Roach' presiding, and Sue McClure Cindy Ecklund Steven Heinrich ~[~ena Morgan comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Christy Terry, Community Development Director Donna Glenz, Assistant Planner Anne Bailey, Executive Liaison City Administration Report Christina Stauffer Community Development Director Christy Terry updated the Commission of the following business items: • Two appraisers from the Kenai Peninsula Borough were in town conducting a mass appraisal. This was a citywide review incorporating attributes into the property's values and changes to the property values would be provided to property owners in the next year and the owners would be able to appeal at that time. • City property had been vandalized near the tent area, the skate park, and playground. The police were investigating and the Hoben Park fountain opening would be delayed until after high school graduation. • The Commission's quarterly joint work session with the Flood Board was on June 1, 2009. The Commission would tour the Flood Board office at 6:30 p.m. and attend the Flood Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. • Northern Economics presented the Seward Marine Industrial Center Uplands Operational Analysis to the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) and Council on May 18, 2009. PACAB would evaluate the five possible courses of action for the area and recommend a course of action. • Community Development had received residential camping complaints and was encouraging compliance with the code requirements. On June 1, 2009, a citywide review C'rih <~/~.Sex~~rr~c1, ,4laska A4a1' !9, 2009 Planning Cornn7ission NUrtules Volunre f, Page 3 3 7 would be conducted on this issue and others. The Department would develop a database using the code compliance software. • Community Development had received requests from other departments for determinations on basic zoning questions and planning issues. Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations -None Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items scheduled for Public Hearing -None Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda - Motion (McClure/Ecklund) Approve the Agenda and the Consent Agenda Terry suggested the Commission take afive-minute recess after the public hearing item to review the posted maps. Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: April 21, 2009 Special Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing - Resolution 2009-14, Granting Jim Hoeffler a Variance from Seward City Code Chapter 15.25 F'loodplain Management to construct an aircraft hanger on Lot SA, Block 200 Seward Airport Terry reviewed Resolution 2009-14 and stated the findings and the allowances that would be made regarding this floodplain variance request. She stated that building up in the proposed hanger area would cause more problems by creating a velocity zone and the applicant was in the audience to answer questions. In response to McClure, Terry stated the hangers currently present in this area had received variances and some were built before the floodplain ordinance. In further response to McClure, Terry stated none of the hangers in this location were built above the base flood elevation and if they were the hanger would be rendered useless. In response to Heinrich, Terry stated the Commission would issue one variance, which encompassed three sections of the code. In response to Ecklund, Terry stated the applicant had been notified of the cost of flood insurance and is required to have it. City gJ~Sex>ard, Alasku Plan~~ing Commission Minutes May 19, 20Qq Voluir7e 6, Page 3 3 8 In response to Stauffer, Terry stated restrictions had not been placed on the containment of oils, fluids, and other items that could pollute the water. In response to Morgan, Terry stated the State of Alaska had specific stipulations on the maintenance of fluids on their lease sites. Glenz added the building permit process the applicant would go through addressed oil storage. She continued since it was State owned land he would have to go through the State building process. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Jim Hoeffler, outside City limits, stated he was an AMP mechanic and had inspection authorization. He noted the State and FAA required building permits in addition to the City of Seward and if a drain facility were in the hanger an oil/water separator would have to be installed. He said he had submitted the building permit application, the State suggested getting the City of Seward permit first due to the floodplain situation, and the FAA would not approve any elevation increase at the airport. He concluded he would do light maintenance in the hanger and would mainly be used for the use of his own airplanes. In response to Ecklund, Hoeffler discussed the stipulations on the height of the mechanical equipment and scuppers. In response to Morgan, Hoeffler stated he would receive a building license for his services. In response to Heinrich, the property was leased from the State and the term of the lease was based on the investment amount you put on the property. No one else requested to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Heinrich/McClure) Approve Resolution 2009-14 McClure voiced her initial concern with this since it seemed to counter what the floodplain task force was trying to accomplish and would approve it. Heinrich stated he was in favor of this. Motion Passed Unanimous The Commission recessed from 7:58 p.m. to 8:02 p.m. New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing -None Unfinished Business- City ~?~~.Sex>ard, ,glaska Muv 19, 2009 Plunning Commission MirnNes Y'olume 6, Pn.~e 3 3 9 Resolution 2009-12, Supporting Council Recommendation that the State of Alaska Revoke Its March 20, 2006 navigability Determination as to Salmon Creek, fourth of July Creek and Sawmill Creek, All Located in the Vicinity of Seward, Alaska Terry reviewed Resolution 2009-12 stating this had been discussed at the May 7, 2009 meeting and more information had been included for the Commission's review. She showed the Commissioner's the location of the Creek's on the maps and what was located around them. She discussed the straight stream access law and the vacation of public easements and access along these streams. Roach' excused herself from the meeting at 8:08 p.m. and returned at 8:10 p.m. In response to Ecklund, Terry further discussed the access to the river and confirmed that whether the stream was navigable or non-navigable you could float on it. Terry reintroduced the Resolution and why this had been brought before the Commission. Heinrich recapped the May 7, 2009 discussion on this issue emphasizing the royalty fees, protecting the public rights associated with navigability, and thought this was the wrong way about proceeding on this issue. Morgan explained the Commissions decision moved forward to the State as a recommendation. Stauffer clarified the Commissions recommendation would go to the Borough assembly and then to the State. She said the goal was to show that different agencies within the Seward community supported the idea; she discussed the navigability determinations, and noted she was in favor of this resolution. McClure stated this issue arose from the Floodplain Task Force to make an attempt to have something occur with the floodplain issues. She thought it was important to show support on this issue. In response to Ecklund, Terry confirmed this resolution would allow gravel to be extracted without a fee but any gravel extraction would still be required to go through the permitting process protecting the habitat. Roach' appreciated the discussion on the navigability and the rights of citizens. Stauffer voiced concern with the public accessing the stream and the effect on the stream bank owners. Motion Passed Unanimous New Business - Cily of ~.Sex~nrcf Alaska Plannivrg Co~nrnission Mim~tes May 19, 2009 _ L'nlt~me 6, Page 3 4 0 Schedule Title 15 Revision Work Sessions Terry stated the code revision process would involve the Commission and the public. She reviewed the two suggested schedules; (1) Postpone updates until August or September. (2) Hold Work Sessions in May and June, allow staff to make suggested changes, hold two public work shops in August and September, and bring the final product to the Commission for recommendation and Council for approval. She noted the .Lune 2, 2009 regular Planning and Coning meeting had been cancelled. The Commission discussed their schedules and agreed to hold the work sessions in May and June. The Commission decided on the following schedule May 28`x', .lane 9`"; June 16`"; June 17`" (noon); and .lane 23, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Terry stated she would provide the Commission an electronic version of the schedule and the Title 15 code updates. Informational Items and Reports (No action required) -None Commission Comments - Stauffer stated she was glad that Resolution 2009-12 was approved and would like to see the State make a decision on the gravel fee. Heinrich commented he might miss some of the work sessions in June due to his work schedule. Ecklund said she attended the Business and Economic Forum and asked the minutes be emailed to the Commission and taken into consideration during the code updates. Roach' suggested Heinrich put any code comments in writing for the Board to consider during the review and complimented Administration on their hard work. Citizens' Comments -None Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments -None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m. ~ ~a~, Anne Bailey ~~'~ .~_ _ ~ a Sar~iie Roach' Executive Liaison ~~ ,~~, ~C~-a;r (City Seal) ~-~-~• ,< H / G/ t .~,'Y~„ 'S . ^~ne" r r ~ `may/ ygBameerea~®e