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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08042009 Planning & Zoning MinutesCity oj:Sewurd, Alaska Augusl 04, 2009 Call to Order PlanniiW Commission A4inutes Volume 6, Pn,Qe 3 4 8 The August 4, 2009 Regular 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 Christina Stauffer Steven Heinrich Cindy Ecklund Sue McClure comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Christy Terry, Community Development Director Donna Glenz, Associate Planner Suzi Towsley, Executive Liaison Excused: Tena Morgan City Administration Report Community Development Director Christy Terry updated the Commission of the following business items: • The upper stretches of Fourth of July Creek had shifted east within its banks, preventing flooding of the area during the high-water event July 29, 2009. The main item of concern was the bridge to Lowell Point and it was inspected by PND Engineering on Friday July 31 and Sunday August 2, 2009 and was certified as safe. PND Engineering Inc. is the same firm that was repairing damage to the bridge sustained during the 2006 flooding. Those repairs are scheduled for completion in fall 2009 so damage from the July 2009 flood should fall into the scope of that timeline. • A meeting of the Seward Bear Creek Flood service area had taken place on Monday August 3, 2009 and KPB personnel gave a report of flooding. An EOC had been activated for outside city limits with a good pictorial record of the event. • The Kenai River Center was expected to set a meeting/permitting day in approximately 2 weeks. • Christy Terry welcomed new Executive Liaison, Suzi Towsley and introduced her to the commission. • Alaska Homeland Security representatives will be here on Friday to work with Terry and Kirsten Vessel on grant applications for Dairy Hill drainage system. A representative for the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Board will meet with HLS as well to discuss flood mitigation City of',Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 04, 2009 Volume 6, Page 3 4 9 and grant opportunities. An eventual floodplain mitigation plan for future development would be of interest to this commission. �.. • Asphalt was being laid at the Long Term Care Facility. Dr. Bill Thomas, founder of the Greenhouse Concept, will be in Seward for a reception August 24"i, 2009 and Commission will be invited. Grand opening will be September 19`". Commissioners will receive "Save the Date" for that event. • Library/Museum Requests for Proposal will be going out in September for management and 35% design completion of the project. This project will be unique for the City in that it will have a specifically chosen project manager from the architectural firm, instead of having the department head serve in that capacity. This would not go out on construction bid until the October advisory vote had taken place. Funding had only been spent from the `Friends of Library' organization and no City money had been spent on this project. • Thank you notes were sent out by the department to businesses and individuals who had done serious aesthetic improvements or landscaped their property, including the Marina Restaurant in the harbor, which was now in compliance. • Representatives for the ADECs, Air Quality Monitoring office were to be in Seward on Friday and meet with Christy and Phillip to discuss that program and plan for placement of the Federal Reference Air monitors. There will be an upcoming informational public meeting. • Compliance report- the new owners of Reds had started the process of bringing it into compliance. In response to question from Ecklund, Terry said that she had sent the Fair Market Value report to the commission via email. In response to question from Ecklund, Terry stated that the commissioners will be invited to any public meeting held by ADF,C. In response to question from Stauffer, Terry clarified that ADEC was an acronym for Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. In response to question from Chair Roach', Thank Yous had been sent to The Breeze Inn and Restaurant, Alaska Shop, Harbor Enterprises, Liberty Theater, Seward Merchants Association, Sarah Nann, US Air Force Rec Camp, Willard and Bev Dunham, Wells Fargo, First National Bank of Alaska and recently Marina Harbor Restaurant. Terry asked for specific direction from the commission on other deserving business owners or individuals for future Thank You cards. 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/Heinrich) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous Consent City ofSeward, Alaska Planning ("Onnnission Minutes August 04, 2009 Volume 6, Page 3 5 0 The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: July 7, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — Resolution 2009-20 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, Recommending City Council Approval of the Rezoning of Lots 25 and 26A, Block 12, Original Townsite of Seward From Single Family Residential (RI) to Urban Residential (UR) Located on the West Side of Brownell Street and North of Washington Street at 208 and 210 Brownell Street Terry reviewed Resolution 2009-20 and explained the applicant had requested the rezone in order to develop the land to match surrounding land uses in the district. This re -zone would bring the lots into conformance with the City Land Use Plan and this action would then move on to the Seward City Council for adoption. The land is contiguous to the Urban Residential district. In response to McClure, Associate Planner Glenz explained the existing 30 X 40 foot portion of right—of—way located on the West property line of Lot 25 had not been included in the First Avenue right-of-way vacation years ago by choice of the property owner. She continued to explain that portion of right-of-way would remain open until such time as the property owner replated and requested the right-of-way vacation. In response to Heinrich, Terry explained that both owners were aware of the re -zone to match the Land Use Plan but the original application was made by one land owner. Terry stated there were two lots, with two owners being considered. She noted that no negative response had been received. In response to Heinrich, Terry stated that due to the existing right-of-way, there will be a smaller amount of usable land on Lot 25; however City Development Requirements would still apply, limiting development of the lot to 40%. Heinrich voiced concern that the application for rezone had not been made by both lot owners. In response to McClure, Terry stated that if the two owners want to join these lots and or build a single family structure or other structure that they would be more than welcome to work with the City Building Department. In response to Chair Roach', Terry stated that regardless of type of development, the maximum land use is 40%. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. City gfSeward, Alaska Auzust 04, 2009 No one requested to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (McClure/Ecklund) Planning Commission Minules Volume 6, Page 3 51 Approve Resolution 2009-20 Stauffer expressed her concern about the width of Brownell Street and the access to the area being limited for emergency responders. She said she would support the rezone but wanted the limited access noted. She was concerned about high density housing on a single lane street. Terry thanked Stauffer for the comment and stated that she is not aware of any plans to widen the access. In response to Stauffer, Glenz stated that Brownell is a 20 foot wide alley that had been used as a street and there were no city plans to widen it. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business- None New Business Set Work Session Topic for August 18, 2009 Terry stated that administration was requesting the Commission set "Updates to Title 15 Seward City Code" as the work session topic for August 18 2009. Commissioners unanimously concurred and set date and topic for the work session. Informational Items and Reports (No action required) — National Flood Insurance Program/Community Rating System Newsletter June 2009 Edition- reviewed. Draft Federal Executive Order to Curb Floodplain Development Informational article attached- reviewed. Commission Comments - Stauffer repeated her concern about the width of Brownell Street and emergency vehicle access. She praised all responders to the July 29, 2009 high-water event and their hard work and dedication. The community pulled together and should be proud of it's self. Ecklund thanked all the commissioners for attending and expressed that she was happy that the Commission was moving forward with Code 15 revisions. City gf.Sevrarel, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 04, 2009 Volume 6, Paxe 3 5 2 Heinrich stated that he was happy to be home from his travels and was ready to carry on and move forward. McClure thanked responders to the July flood, and was amused at how Borough officials have mixed up Homer and Seward more than once. She remarked how nice the new Long "Perm Facility looked, and asked about public meeting signs that were still up in the Harbor area and requested they be taken down. Chair Roach' thanked all the responders to the high-water event and voiced how much she appreciated the hard work done by both Terry and Glenz. Terry thanked Glenz for training Towsley and explained to the Commission that Towsley and Glenz would both be at the August 18 work session and Glenz would serve as the parliamentarian at the September meeting. Towsley would serve in that capacity afterward. Citizens' Comments — None Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments —None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. A "I-owsley Executive Liaison (City Seal) Sandie Roach' Chair