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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04152014 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 15, 2014 Volume 7, Page 79 Call to Order The April 15, 2014 Special Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Edgar led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Bixler McClure Christopher Edgar Martha Fleming Janet Coulter(arrived at 7:05) comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • The City Public Works Department had recently reported that a flood mitigation project for the Dairy Hill area was fully funded. The contractor, Metco Inc., was scheduled to begin work between April 15 - 20, 2014, dependent upon weather. • The Public Works Department planned to begin construction of a new water storage tank by the end of the summer season. CRW Engineering was the contractor for the North Seward Water Storage Tank and Pumping Facility. Glenz noted the Conditional Use Permit was scheduled to come before the Commission soon. • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had recently inspected the Lowell Creek diversion tunnel and was preparing a report to provide details of any damage. • A downtown sidewalk improvement project was scheduled to begin within the next few weeks, dependent on weather. • The City of Seward planned to build a new restroom facility at the Seward Marine Industrial Center. The project was to be completed by June 1, 2014. • Glenz reported that the City Manager and Assistant City Manager had recently traveled to Washington, D. C. and Juneau on City business. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 15, 2014 Volume 7, Page 80 • The Community Development Department was to participate in the annual Permitting & Agency Information Day on April 17. The event was scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Seward Community Library& Museum. Commissioner Janet Coulter arrived at 7:05 p.m. to participate in the meeting. Ecklund asked if City staff would be able to answer public questions about mobile vendor permits during the upcoming Permitting& Agency Information Day. Glenz affirmed staff would be available to answer questions, based on the proposed City code changes. The required policies and procedures for mobile vendors had not yet been completed. 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 (Fleming/McClure) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: April 1,2014 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— Resolution 2014-06 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending City Council amend portions of Seward City Code §15.10.140. B Definitions, §15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed and §15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed Table; to allow Mobile Vendors and Roving Vendors to operate on City-owned property (as designated) and within public rights of way Glenz explained the history of the resolution and the direction that had been given by City Council. Several work sessions were held during the drafting of the proposed City code provisions. Glenz noted the City attorney had reviewed the Ordinance as presented. 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. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 15, 2014 Volume 7, Page 81 rr Motion (Fleming/McClure) Approve Resolution 2014-06 Fleming asked City Harbormaster Mack Funk and Parks and Recreation Department Director Karin Sturdy, who were present in the audience, if they would discuss the potential mobile vendor sites they might select in the marine and Waterfront Park areas. Funk directed the Commission and audience to a map, pointing out two locations that he had chosen in the Seward Marine Industrial Center area. Ecklund asked if the vendors were required to leave the assigned locations at the end of each day of operation. Funk said vendors were required to vacate the mobile vendor sites after hours. Sturdy pointed out the location of the various proposed sites, including two spaces near the South Harbor Uplands and three possible sites in the camping area adjacent to Ballaine Boulevard. Ecklund asked if the mobile vendor spaces in the South Harbor Uplands were parking spaces. Sturdy said the land in that area was used primarily as parking, so any spaces dedicated to mobile vending were dedicated as parking. Sturdy added that the South Harbor Uplands was not being considered for firewood vendors. Ecklund, with the consent of the Commission, relaxed the rules to allow members of the public to ask questions. Local business owner Elle Zemia asked if the spaces on the uplands included paid parking. Sturdy noted the South Harbor Uplands did include paid parking. She also explained that customers would be limited to occupying the area with a vehicle for a maximum of 30 minutes. The size of the vendor spaces were also still under discussion. Ecklund, with the consent of the Commission, reinstated the meeting rules. Sturdy provided more information regarding the potential location of mobile vendor spots in the area of Waterfront Park between Monroe Street and Jefferson Street. Ecklund asked if either Sturdy or Funk had done any work on a proposed mobile vendor site for Washington Street. Funk and Sturdy indicated they had not worked on a mobile vendor location for Washington Street. In response to Ecklund, Glenz said the City Clerk's office would help to develop the policy and procedures for mobile vendor operation, as well as issuing the permits. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 15, 2014 Volume 7, Page 82 Fleming asked how vendors would be regulated and inspected for permits. Glenz said competing vendors would probably contact the City if an operator violated the rules. Glenz said it was common for operators, citizens and other City staff to inform Community Development of compliance issues. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business—None New Business Items—None Informational Items and Reports (No action required) FEMA Region X Newsletter 2014 Planning& Zoning Meeting Schedule Permitting& Agency Information Day Flyer Commission Comments Coulter said she appreciated the hard work that was required to produce the proposed mobile vendor code amendments. Fleming said she provided the quarterly Planning and Zoning Commission report to City Council on April 14. Fleming said she was also optimistic that the proposed mobile vendor code would be successful. McClure thanked the members of the public who attended the meeting, as well as the staff who participated in the meeting. Ecklund said she was pleased with the mobile vendor code progress and hoped the same success would be realized if the Commission worked on revising the current camping code. Glenz said the proposed mobile vendor code was to be introduced at City Council on May 12th, for enactment on May 27th. Ecklund noted that the public could provide more comment on the proposed mobile vendor code amendments at the City Council public hearing. Citizens' Comments -None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 15, 1014 Volume 7, Page 83 F Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. I I 1 p , I , 1/_ imply e IP 1 / Dw:yne Atwood "'ndy .cklun• Pl. ing Technician Chair (City Seal) ''0......,,,,. ' OF SEili##4P G + vp•:• • --•-- • • SEA •) ' ! ;y y)%* ;YE 1:1,.••i,4.„ ,�•. ©77,.FrOFDPX. ,.ss F" F