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Home My WebLink About03042014 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes March 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 68 Ur Call to Order The March 4, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Cindy Ecklund. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Edgar led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Janet Coulter Christopher Edgar Wendy Shaffer comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician Excused was: Martha Fleming and Bixler McClure City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • Glenz welcomed the newest Commissioners, Janet Coulter and Christopher Edgar. • The Community Development Department office had been relocated to the City of Seward annex building. • Glenz suggested the Commission postpone the annual officer election that was on the agenda, due to the absence of other Commissioners. • The agenda statements in the meeting packet were not signed. Glenz apologized for the oversight. • Glenz thanked longtime Commissioner and Chair Sandie Roach' for her many years of service. She noted Roach' had submitted her resignation from the Commission and would be greatly missed. +►.� Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations—None Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items scheduled for Public Hearing—None City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes March 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 69 j Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Ecklund/Coulter) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Edgar/Coulter) Amend the Agenda and Consent Agenda, adding item 10 D under New Business to read "Motion of support for a Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area request for a mill tax rate increase." Motion Passed Unanimous Main Motion as amended Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: January 7,2014 Regular Meeting Minutes Special Items - Election of Chair and Vice Chair Glenz explained the procedure for the annual election and the terms. Glenz suggested that the election be postponed due to the absence of Commissioners. Motion (Edgar/Shaffer) Postpone annual election of Chair and Vice Chair to the April 1 regular meeting Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— Resolution 2014-02 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 and §15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed Table; Affecting storage containers and temporary structures Glenz explained the history of the work sessions related to the resolution. No public comments had been received regarding the proposed changes to the Seward City Code. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes March 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 70 lbw Bob Reisner, a resident outside the city, said he was speaking on behalf of a handful of residents of the city. There was an interest in painting murals on railroad cars placed near Airport Road and the Seward Highway, which could encourage owners of storage containers to make improvements. Reisner also said that the expense of a permanent structure might be too great for many property owners and business owners. Many shipping containers were outside of the city, but the appearance of the containers that were being used should be addressed, he said. Motion (Edgar/Coulter) Approve Resolution 2014-02 Edgar said he was not familiar with the history of the proposed Code change, but said he would be able to better understand issues in the future through his participation in work sessions and hearing public comment. Shaffer asked staff to explain the Land Uses Allowed Table and the proposed amendments. Glenz noted the zoning districts where the placement of storage containers was allowed, and the permitting required. She noted a Conditional Use Permit was an excessive requirement when a Building Permit was also required. imp Ecklund pointed out that the Land Uses Allowed Table was recently reviewed, but some issues remained with the use of containers for storage and the minimum setback required. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business—None New Business Items— Resolution 2014-03 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, amending Rule 22 of the December 16, 2008 Rules of Procedure for the Planning and Zoning Commission Glenz noted that the Rules of Procedure was a guiding document and the proposed change was consistent with a recent amendment made by the City Council. The change allowed three minutes of public comment per speaker, up to 36 total minutes. The Planning and Zoning Commission Rules of Procedure limited speaker comments, on items not scheduled for a public hearing,to two minutes. Motion (Edgar/Coulter) Approve Resolution 2014-03 ir.. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes March 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 71 Discuss and set work session dates for Mobile Vendor Code amendments Glenz noted the Council had requested the Commission review and provide recommendations for a new City Code section on Mobile Vendors. She stated the Council had requested the code change be completed for the 2014 summer season. She noted the timeline that had been provided was very aggressive and required a large commitment from the Commission over the coming months. Glenz asked the Commission to come to a consensus and set work session dates. Commissioners discussed their individual calendars and availability and set the Planning and Zoning work session dates of March 11 and March 18. Commissioners noted they would do their best to meet the aggressive schedule but noted it was a large task to accomplish in a short time. Motion of support for a Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area request for a mill tax rate increase Ecklund said the motion, as written, was to show support for the additional funding that the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area board intended to request. The flood service area board intended to seek an increase in the mill tax rate from .5 to 1.0, Ecklund said. Motion (Coulter/Edgar) Approve the motion of support for the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area request for a mill tax rate increase Edgar said he felt there was some missing information, including what was discussed in the joint work session with the flood board earlier in the evening. He did not feel he knew enough about the budget and budget trends to make a fully informed decision to support the motion, he said. Ecklund asked staff about the required timeline for the motion of support. In response, Glenz noted the recommendation was needed at the current meeting. Coulter said she perceived an extreme need for more flood mitigation and supported the motion. Motion Passed Yes: Shaffer,Coulter, Ecklund No: Edgar Informational Items and Reports (No action required) FEMA Region X Newsletter 2014 Planning& Zoning Meeting Schedule City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes March 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 72 \rr Commission Quarterly Report to City Council Reminder Commission Comments Coulter said she appreciated the support of staff and the other members of the Commission. Edgar said he enjoyed the work session that preceded the regular meeting and that it was a good opportunity to learn more about the Flood Board issues. Ecklund said she was pleased to have a six-member Commission, with new members, and added that there should be no hesitation to ask staff any questions. Citizens' Comments - None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p. 1. r D 'pyne A, woo.• Cindy Eck nd Pla ning echnician Vice thai (City Seal) :sj�iOta,,,,,, • ' • d w • ( SEAT of f i ® • OFAA- 110 a