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Home My WebLink About08022011 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 2, 2011 Volume 6, Page 4 4 6 CaII to Order The August 2, 2011 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Roach'. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Butts led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Sandie Roach' presiding, and Steven Heinrich Dale Butts Tena Morgan comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Michelle Weston, Assistant City Manager Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Assistant Excused was: Cindy Ecklund City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • Commissioner Cindy Ecklund was unavailable for meetings through the month of August. • Exit Glacier Road was closed at Mile 7.5 due to flooding. • A pre -bid meeting for the Seward Marine Industrial Center engineering analysis was scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, August 4. The proposed project was to support the relocation of the Coastal Villages Region Fund fleet from Seattle, Washington. • The Seward Community Library / Museum Project site was to be fenced later in the week, and work was slated to begin during the 2012 construction season. • The Scheffler Creek footbridge project was nearly complete, with only surface paving remaining. • The Forest Acres levee extension was complete and the ribbon cutting ceremony was slated for 4:30 p.m. Monday, August 8. 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 Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 2, 2011 Volume 6, Page 4 4 7 Motion (Heinrich/Morgan) Approve the Agenda and the Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: May 3, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2011 -09 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, Recommending City Council Amend Portions of Seward City Code 15.10.140 Definitions to Change, Update and Accommodate the Wishes of the Public Glenz described and noted the proposed changes to the Seward City Code (SSC) included in the City Council Ordinance attached to Resolution 2011 -09. Numerous work sessions were held during the previous 18 months in making the changes to SSC15.10.140, Definitions, Glenz noted. The proposed changes to the City Code had been submitted to the City Attorney for review. No members of the public had expressed concerns over any of the changes. Staff recommended approval. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. There were no requests to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Heinrich/Morgan) Approve Resolution 2011 -09 Morgan noted there had been considerable review and discussion during the past several months. Roach' agreed that additional discussion was not required. Motion Passed Unanimous New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2011 -10 of the Plannin g and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, Recommending the City Council Amend Various Sections of the Seward City Code to Include Portions of 15.10.220 Development City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 2, 2011 Volume 6, Page 4 4 8 ,.. Requirements Table; 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed; and 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed Table to Change, Update and Accommodate the Wishes of the Public Glenz described and noted the proposed changes to the Seward City Code (SSC) included in the City Council Ordinance attached to Resolution 2011 -10. Numerous work sessions were held during the previous 18 months in making the changes and updates, Glenz noted. Glenz specifically explained the addition to the Land Uses Allowed permitting chickens and rabbits on certain smaller residential lots. Roach' noted the intention of the code change was to accommodate residents who had expressed an interest in allowing chickens on smaller lots within the City. Commissioner Heinrich questioned whether the provision that chickens and rabbits not be allowed on lots with more than two dwelling units was written as intended. Morgan said the intention to allow chickens should not be allowed at apartment complexes. Glenz suggested that the Commission put the resolution on the table, then move to amend the specific citation to limit chickens and rabbits to parcels with only one dwelling unit. Glenz also irm pointed out that other fowl are covered in another portion of the code, not in the portion specifically allowing chickens and rabbits on some smaller residential lots. Morgan added the reason chickens and rabbits were added, specifically, was because of public requests and interest. The code change required pens and enclosures, which was not previously addressed, she stated. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. There were no requests to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Morgan/Butts) Approve Resolution 2011 -10 Heinrich said he brought up the restriction on the number of dwelling units per parcel to make sure the chicken allowance was written as intended. Roach' asked Administration if a parcel with a home and a mother -in -law apartment counted as a duplex under the current City Code. Glenz stated the mother -in -law apartment did not change the property use to a duplex, unless rent is charged. Once the unit becomes a rental, which has happened several times, the parcel was then two- family, or a duplex. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 2, 2011 Volume 6, Page 4 4 9 Motion (Heinrich/Butts) Amend Ordinance, Section 15.10.225.(e)7 Land uses allowed, Livestock to read, "Chickens or rabbits are not allowed on lots with more than one dwelling unit." Motion Passed Unanimous Roach' pointed out the Commission could then continue the discussion on any portion of Resolution 2011 -10 and the accompanying Ordinance. Heinrich said the amendment addressed his only concern. Main Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business – None New Business — None Informational Items and Reports (No action required) National Flood Insurance Program Newsletter, January /April National Flood Insurance Program Newsletter, May /June National Flood Insurance Program Newsletter, July /August Commissioner Seabury Resignation Letter Cabana Thank You Letter At the request of the Commission, Glenz explained the Thank You letter to the Cabana Family was sent as a courtesy from Community Development Department. The department attempts to thank all property owners who comply with requested code compliance complaints of the department and the public. In this case, the property owner had several derelict vehicles which were cleaned up. Several members of the public responded favorably to the cleanup effort, which involved the residential property near the corner of Third Avenue and Madison Street. Commission Comments Morgan said she was pleased with the passage of Resolution 2011 -09 and Resolution 2011- 10, which involved several months of work by the Commission and staff. Butts said the proposed changes to Title 15 should show the City Council and public that the Planning & Zoning Commission has been productive. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 2, 2011 Volume 6, Page 4 5 0 .. Heinrich said the allowance of chickens and rabbits should be somewhat limited, because it could be expanded if there are additional requests for changes. Roach' thanked Commissioners and Administration for recent efforts. Roach' also mentioned public concern about illegal bunkhouses. She requested staff to explain crew housing and how bunkhouses are approved. Glenz said bunkhouses are an issue every summer. Bunkhouses are intended for workers, such as cannery employees or construction laborers, where sanitary facilities are shared with several rooms and there are no individual cooking facilities. A conditional use permit is required for bunkhouses, and they are only allowed in the Auto Commercial, Industrial and Institutional zoning districts. Glenz explained the problem was the use of larger houses in residential zoning districts. When several workers were housed in residential homes as roommates, neighbors often complain about the number of parked vehicles and other issues. Roach' said the bunkhouse issue was brought to her attention recently because a member of the public complained about a property with excess trash. Glenz said the department would like to talk with anyone who has concerns or information about illegal bunkhouses. Citizens' Comments Weston said that the Alaska State House and Senate Joint Transportation Committee would be visiting Seward on September 7. A multi- agency emergency exercise was also scheduled for the second week in August, Weston said. Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments — None Adjournment Meeti t adjourned . 8:37 i i .40:11rri i As / Ar D . yne twoo a Sandie Roach' C I munity Development Assistant Chair (City Seal) e • oo ., " ,, •• '' , ,� ,rAe t • n 0 r . 9 . s P i ....P.... J N d • ti Q n OF ; 0 V . .blI3 Yg1S ‘