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Home My WebLink About06052018 Planning & Zoning Minutes1 1 City of Seward, Alaska June 5, 2018 CALL TO ORDER Seward Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Volume 7, Page 283 The June 5, 2018 regular meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. OPENING CEREMONY Commissioner Seese led the pledge of allegiance to the flag ROLL CALL There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Martha Fleming Gary Seese Craig Ambrosiani Tom Swann Kelli Hatfield Excused: Nathanial Charbonneau Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Also Present Jackie C. Wilde, Planner Andy Bacon, Planning Assistant SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Administration Report Jackie Wilde updated the Commission on the following business items • The Planning staff is working on updating the sign code and continuing with work on the lodging audit • City staff is collaborating on making updates to business licenses and lodging permits • Planner Wilde attended national planners training and going to be testing for APA accreditation next month Other Reports, Announcements, and Presentations- None CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING — None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Fleming /Swann) Motion Passed Unanimous The following item was approved on the Consent Agenda: Approval of March 6, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Seward Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes June 5, 2018 Volume 7, Page 284 New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2018-006 of the Planning 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 15.10.140 Definitions; 15.10.215 Parking; 15.10.220 Development Requirements; 15.10.220 Development Requirements Table and 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table to Change Update and Accommodate the Wishes of the Public Planner Jackie Wilde stated that The Planning and Zoning Commission has held multiple work sessions on this proposed ordinance over the last five months. The request to review Development Requirements was originally brought forward by a citizen who felt the current code was too restrictive. It was also discussed during Planning and Zoning work sessions that the Notes section of the Development Requirements Table was not clearly codified, so language was added to this amendment to that effect. This public hearing item was properly noticed to the public, and the Community Development office received one written comment from a citizen regarding suggested changes. Planning staff responded to the suggestions with the explanatioN . that the suggestions referenced building code and not zoning code. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Cole Petersen, outside city, stated that he owns property at 535 Third Avenue. Petersen thanked the Commission for their encouragement, and their work in taking time to review Development Requirements. Petersen stated that he hoped we could move forward in a better direction for the City. Keith Danzl, outside city, stated that he owns the property next door to 535 Third Avenue and has concerns about parking. Danzl stated that the change in parking requirement to one parking space per unit will create congestion in the neighborhood, and suggested that if a 12-unit dwelling were to be constructed then there is a likelihood of more than 12 cars associated with that building. Danzl stated that that alley between Third and Second is infrequently maintained in the winter, and expressed his concern over emergency vehicle access, and potential impediments to emergency evacuation. Danzl stated that a multifamily dwelling unit of this proportion will create a parking nightmare for the neighborhood. Ecklund thanked Mr. Danzl for his comment and stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission would have a discussion when there is a motion to put this item on the floor. Hearing no one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. Motion (Fleming/Swann) Approve Resolution 2018-006 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska Seward Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes June 5, 2018 Volume 7, Page 285 City of Seward, Alaska, Recommending the City Council Amend Various Sections of the Seward City Code to Include Portions of 15.10.140 Definitions; 15.10.215 Parking; 15.10.220 Development Requirements; 15.10.220 Development Requirements Table and 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table to Change Update and Accommodate the Wishes of the Public Fleming stated that parking was discussed quite a bit during work sessions. Fleming stated that one could look at the best scenario and the worst scenario with regard to parking, and cited the need for additional housing in Seward. Fleming stated that she hopes the type of person that seeks to live in a studio apartment would have only one vehicle, and that extra parking needs brought about by studio apartments could be absorbed by street parking. Ecklund stated that multifamily studio apartment dwellings would require a conditional use permit, so there would be additional public hearings for this type of development where the public can review individual apartment building designs. Ecklund stated that during work session meetings, one of the reasons that the Planning and Zoning commission recommended one parking space per unit is because these are about the size of hotel rooms, which only require one space per hotel room. Ecklund specified that the project we are referring to in this discussion is one, but these code changes would apply to anybody trying to build studio apartments within the City limits. Wilde stated to everyone that during the Conditional Use Permit process, Planning and Zoning commissioners may add extra requirements to individual developments, such as parking lot configuration. Hatfield asked if there has been any discussion about how many people would be allowed to live in one studio apartment. Wilde stated that this is addressed in the building code. Ecklund stated that a lot of the concerns that people brought forward would be addressed by building code requirements. Motion Passed UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None 0 11", 131110R1 -*i AYES: Hatfield, Swann, Seese, Ambrosiani, Fleming, Ecklund NOES: none Resolution 2018-007 Of The Seward Planning And Zoning Commission Of The City Of Seward, Alaska, Recommending City Council Approval Of The Planning And Zoning Commission Priorities From April 2018 To April 2019 Wilde stated that the priorities listed in this resolution came out of the Planning and Zoning and City of Seward, Alaska Seward Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes June S, 2018 Volume 7, Page 286 City Council joint work session on March 27, 2018. Wilde asked the Commission to consider placing a higher priority on pursuing funding for a local code enforcement officer. Motion (Swann/Ambrosiani) Approve Resolution 2018-007 Of The Seward Planning And Zoning Commission Of The City Of Seward, Alaska, Recommending City Council Approval Of The Planning And Zoning Commission Priorities From April 2018 To April 2019 Swann opened discussion to the floor. Fleming stated that she was glad to see review of the Sign Code listed as a priority. Fleming stated that she would like to see review of the SPRD Plan moved to lower priority. Discussion followed about past efforts to review and update the plan. Wilde in response to Ecklund stated that priority number four, pursue possible localized Code Enforcement Officer options, was an addition from the staff, and was recommended by two Council members at the joint work session. Ecklund asked to change the job title to Code Compliance Officer. Ambrosiani asked if there were enforcement mechanisms written into City Code. Wilde responded that the City Code specified a $300/day fine. Discussion followed about the recent challenges Community Development has faced in achieving code compliance through voluntary means. Motion (Fleming/Ecklund) Amend Resolution 2018-007 to move priority number two to number six and renumber Motion passed Unanimous Main motion passed as amended Unanimous Resolution 2018-008 of The Planning and Zoning Commission of The City of Seward, Alaska, Rescinding Resolution 2017-11 and Approving the Preliminary Replat Of Lots 4-7, Block 3, Seward Original Townsite, Seasalt Replat, located at the Northwest Corner of Fourth and Railway Intersection with amendments Wilde stated that is was brought to our attention by KPB platting staff that recommendation number five of Resolution 2017-11 specified the designation of a utility easement that intersected an existing structure. Resolution 2018-008 changes recommendation number five to specify a utility easement only along the vacant lots that are part of this replat. Rescinding Resolution 2017-11 will simplify future legislative research. Motion (Fleming/Swann) Approve Resolution 2018-008 of The Planning and Zoning Commission of The City of Seward, Alaska, Rescinding Resolution 2017-11 and Approving the City of Seward, Alaska June S, 2018 Motion passed Commission Comments Hatfield- No comment Seese- No comment Seward Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Volume 7, Page 287 Preliminary Replat Of Lots 4-7, Block 3, Seward Original Townsite, Seasalt Replat, located at the Northwest Corner of Fourth and Railway Intersection with amendments Unanimous Ambrosiani- Thanked Community Development staff Swann- Updated everyone on upcoming meeting availability Fleming- Thanked staff for their work on Hazard Mitigation Plan update Ecklund- Inquired about the July 3 regular meeting, and polled Commissioners for availability. After brief discussion it was determined that there would not be a quorum and the Commission cancelled the meeting by consensus. Citizens' Comments - None Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments - None ADJOURNMENT (Fleming / Ambrosiani) The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. Jackie t. Wilde Planner •,� •'N.■■■■4%r, of sE s (City Seal)` 01t4O` SEAL ` •• I i Rr,