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Home My WebLink About11042014 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 103 Call to Order The November 4, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Swann led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Martha Fleming Janet Coulter Christopher Edgar Gary Seese Tom Swann Margaret Anderson 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: • Glenz welcomed returning Commissioner Margaret Anderson and thanked her for her decision to serve. • Glenz noted that the Commissioners all had been provided City email addresses. • Commissioners Seese and Swann, as well as Chair Ecklund, were provided with their travel reimbursement and registration information for a November 16 Planning Commissioner training in Anchorage. • The Planning and Zoning Commission quarterly reports to City Council were changed to semi-annual reports, due in March and September. • Community Development Director Ron Long and City Council member Christy Terry had recently been appointed to a Seward Airport working group to provide input for proposed maintenance and construction work. • City Council had approved the federal, state and municipal legislative funding priorities. The City Clerk's office had additional information about the priorities, Glenz said. irum • City Council was scheduled to hold one meeting during the month, on November 10. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 104 • The City of Seward Fire Department had issued a public service announcement to review appliance recall listings and change batteries in smoke detectors. • The Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board had changed meeting times to 6 p.m. Regular meetings were scheduled for the first Monday of each month, and work sessions on the third Monday of each month. • City offices were scheduled to be closed November 11, 2014 for Veteran's Day. Ecklund noted that the March semi-annual report to City Council will be provided during a work session, not regular, televised meeting. Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations—None Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items scheduled for Public Hearing— Seward resident Lisette Richmond commented on the lack of available housing and said she was interested in receiving information about development standards for a possible project. Richmond also asked about the possible usage of shipping containers for structural development. Richmond was provided a contact phone number for the Community Development Department and was encouraged to speak with the City Planner for detailed information. • Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Fleming/Edgar) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: October 7,2014 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— Resolution 2014-11 of the Planning and Zoning Commission ott ye City Seward, Alaska, Recommending City Council Adoption of the Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan,2014 Update „1 f .'1i .. i Glenz said the previous Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan had been adopted in 1995 noting that many changes had occurred over the years. She noted.the Plan was a living, document and continued to change as City owned parcels were developed, acquired and/or disposed of. The 2014 update reflects the changes. Glenz stated the Commission had held numerous public work sessions.over the past 18 months updating the plan. The Plan was noticed as a Public Hearing and thatfho;public concerns or comments had been received. She stated staff • City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 105 t... recommended approval of Resolution 2014-11 recommending Council approval of the 2014 update to the Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan. 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 (Swann/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2014-11 Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business—None New Business Items— Resolution 2014-12 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a six (6) month extension to height Variance 2014-01, allowing Shoreside Petroleum, Inc. to construct four (4) 40-foot-tall petroleum storage structures on Lot 2, Block 2, Leirer Industrial Subdivision, located between Alameda Street and Leirer Road,within the Industrial Zoning District Glenz noted the history of the height variance, which allowed four, 40-foot-tall bulk fuel storage tanks. Zoning variances and conditional use permits expire after six months, she said. A six month extension was allowed, provided the permitted project or activity had not changed. Shoreside Petroleum planned to begin construction during the 2015 construction season. Commissioner Anderson requested a ruling regarding any potential conflict of interest because of her family relationship with the owners of Shoreside Petroleum. Chair Ecklund, in questioning Anderson, noted there was no financial gain or benefit at stake. The Commission concluded there was no legal reason for Anderson to abstain from voting. Motion (Fleming/Swann) Approve Resolution 2014-12 Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2014-13 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a six (6) month extension to Conditional Use Permit 2014-01, issued to Shoreside Petroleum, Inc. to construct and operate a bulk fuel storage facility on Lot 2, Block 2, Leirer Industrial Subdivision, located between Alameda Street and Leirer Road,within the Industrial Zoning District City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 106 Glenz reiterated the information provided for the extension of the height variance for the bulk fuel storage project. Some site preparation had been undertaken, but a building permit had not been received. A second extension could be required in May, 2015. Ecklund asked Glenz to explain the conditional use permit requirement for the benefit of the newer members of the Commission. Glenz reviewed the permit process and requirements and noted that the various conditions of operation and development were listed in the original resolution, which was included in the meeting packet. Commissioner Anderson requested a ruling regarding any potential conflict of interest because of her family relationship with the owners of Shoreside Petroleum. Ecklund noted for the record that Anderson was an extended family member, but would not directly benefit from the measure and would be allowed to vote. Motion (Swann/Edgar) Approve Resolution 2014-13 Motion Passed Unanimous Approve the 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting schedule and public hearing cut-off dates Glenz pointed out the quarterly work sessions with the local flood board and noted that the regular Planning and Zoning meetings have not had to relocate for election nights, because voting no longer occurred at Council Chambers. She advised the Commission to check their personal calendars and discuss any necessary amendments. Motion (Swann/Edgar) Approve the 2015 Planning and Zoning meeting schedule and public hearing cut- off dates Commissioners discussed the possibility of holding only one meeting or work session during the month of July. Motion (Swann/Anderson) Amend the motion to approve the 2015 Planning and Zoning meeting schedule and public hearing cut-off dates, canceling the scheduled July 7, 2015 regular meeting and designating July 21,2015 as the regular meeting date Motion Passed Unanimous v.mil Commissioners discussed the possibility of holding only one meeting or work session during the month of December. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 107 L Motion (Swann/Fleming) Amend the motion to approve the 2015 Planning and Zoning meeting schedule and public hearing cut-off dates, canceling the scheduled December 15, 2015 work session Motion Passed Unanimous Fleming asked Administration if the calendar could be further amended during the year, as needed. Glenz said the calendar, as amended, would be posted for informational purposes but could be changed further, if necessary. Main Motion Passed, as Amended Unanimous Informational Items and Reports (No action required) Flood Board Quarterly Work Session Reminder Monthly Work Session Topic FEMA Region X Newsletters 2014 Planning& Zoning Meeting Schedule Commission Comments Anderson said she would like to see the Planning and Zoning Commission take proactive actions, such as seeking new locations for the local animal shelter and City Public Works Department shop. Anderson said she would also like the Commission to look more closely at the South Harbor Uplands and the development potential. Coulter thanked staff and the Commission for preparing the Municipal Lands Management Plan draft. Fleming also thanked staff for the work on the Municipal Lands Management Plan and reiterated the importance of having the public participate in work sessions. Ecklund said she was pleased with the Municipal Lands Management Plan draft and also thanked Anderson for her decision serve on the Commission. Citizens' Comments - None Lim Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes November 4, 2014 Volume 7, Page 108 Glenz said that members of the public could always come to the Community Development J Department to get help or information. Some land and development questions can be difficult to research online and staff is always willing to help the public, Glenz said. 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