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Home My WebLink About09142020 City Council LAYDOWN - HP Res 2020-04 - REZONE w minutes,S f Y ;I i Sponsored by: Historic Preservation Commission CITY OF SE►VARD, ALASKA HISTORIC PRESERVATION C01VIMISSION i RESOLUTION 20211-04 s# A RESOLUTION OF THE SEWARD HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONINIISS1ON OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALAS KA, SUPPORTING THE PRESERVATION OF LOTS 3, 4-5 AND N `/x OF LOT 6 BLOCK 16 ORIGINAL. TOWNSITE OF SE`VARD AS ML.ILTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R3) t WHEREAS, Applicant Ristine Cassagranda (Big Mama Love LLQ has applied with adjacent land owners Peter Cannava and Charles Buswcll to have Lots 3, 4-5 and N % of Lot 6 rezoned and Ristine Cassagranda listed the possibility of putting in a cell tower or other commercial uses in her application; and WHEREAS, The Planning & Zoning. Commission passed Resolution 2020-06 supporting this zoning change on duly 21, 2020; and s WHEREAS, the ordinance introducing this code change will be brought before the City Council at the August 24, 2020 city council mcetin and the public hearing and enactment of this '4 ordinance will occur at the September 14, 2020 city council meeting; and WHEREAS, the Seward. Historic Preservation Commission supports preserving Lots 3, 4-5 and N '/a of Lot 6 Block 16 as multi-family residential (R3) as part of Seward's downtown historic district; and WHEREAS, the commission supports the historic significance of this neighborhood, which contains the historic 1916 Swetmann House, one of the best examples of Stucco Johnson homes in Seward, and wants to preserve as much of the historic character of this neighborhood as possible; and a WHEREAS, The Central Business District allows commercial satellite dishes, towers, poles, and antennas up to 16 feet in diameter and 75 feet high. Despite best efforts to blend in, a new cell tower would entail replacing the historic landscaping with gravel and surrounding the property rkith a six-foot fence. Jhis is incompatible with this lovely, landscaped, neighborhood in the historic district and is opposed by several of the adjacent property owners and neighbors; 'f and r i WHEREAS, in addition to the applicant's desire fir a eornI1')Lu1ic.lti0rls tower, there are 47 other outright commercial uses allowed in commercial business (CB) zones vs 12 outright uses allowed in multi-tainfly residential (R3) .ones. C f'the parcels are rezoned. then any of these other uses would be allowed and many of these LISCS 111LIV Ilot l7L' III hdrI110I1V W It11 I11alllt£1111ing the historic character of the downtown historic district; and i r CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2020-04 WHEREAS, lot coverage is allowed to increase from 40% in multi-family residential zones to 100% in commercial business zones, which could affect the landscaping that makes this historic area so beautiful; and 11'HEREAS, Seward's goals as listed in the 2017 Historic Preservation Plan are to promote historic preservation as aii economic dcv cloprnent tool, and provide incentives to encourage economic development, community engagement in preservation, and community appreciation irrr Se�Nard's history. Economically, the preservation of downtown and historic areas increases foot traffic and tourism, which enhances the patronage of local businesses; and WHEREAS, Seward strives to promote preservation in key areas through designation and promotion of historic districts. Prescry ing traditions and landmarks and surrounding area creates a unique sense of place that encourages community building and allows all residents old, new, and seasonal—to engage locally and create a connection With their surrou11dings; and 10*11EREAS, the development of the original Historic Preservation Plan in 1996 was spurred by concern over progressive loss of local historical character, particularly within the downtown area. Physical preservation, maintaining traditions, and retalnhig an intangible "sense of place'" were identified as important to the citizens of Seward. Co1111T1 Lill itieS that prioritize historic preservation can create a linkage to the past that engages and inspires people in Scwarci's historic: prominence, cinique location, and accessibility make it one of the few Alaskan conln1 ur1 i t i cs with potential to achieve these goals. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1.The commission supports maintaining the current zoning of Lots 3,4-5 and N %z of Lot 6 Block 16 Original Townsite of Seward as Multi-Family Residential (R3) in an effort to preserve Seward's downtown historic district. Section 2. This resolution shall take place u11011 aclnptiort. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Scward f Cistoric 1'rescrvatior7 C'oimnissir�n of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 1 P day of August, 20?U. THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA Cheryl ee , Chair I i CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2020-04 ?a t AYES: Kurtz, Benoit, Libbrecht, Seese NOES: Furlong ABSFNT: Woelkers, Ward ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: ,e 4 E Jessica Stallard Deputy City Clerk (City Seal) OF SLMJV j� ,.�RpOiy r • ? la r SEAL Ioi 10 l 'fff �E OF P .'% z k 'u City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 13, 2020 Volume, Page Resolution 2020-04, Supporting the Preservation of Lots 3, 4-5 And N 1/2 Of Lot 6 Block 16 Original Townsite of Seward as Multi-Family Residential (R3). Motion (Benoit/Kurtz) Approve Resolution 2020-04 Benoit said some concerned citizens had approached her about the proposed rezoning of Lots 3,4-5,and N 1/2 of Lot 6 Block 16.Libbrecht was concerned about historical lots being rezoned from Multi-Family Residential to Commercial Business. Seese said Seward's small town historic character was what made it a wonderful place to live in and visit, and she was concerned rezoning these lots would compromise Seward's character. Kurtz wanted to offer alternate locations for a cell phone tower rather than simply opposing this rezone. Wilde said city code needed to be changed to address zoning in the Historic District, as well as cell phone towers, but it would take a little over a year to change city code. The Planning & Zoning Commission was holding a work session on August 18,2020 to discuss the cell phone tower code,and she encouraged the commissioners to attend this work session.In response to Seese,Wilde said there was a timeline associated with the rezoning of properties that protected the city and the applicant,and if the rezone was approved,then there was a 10 day period where it could be appealed. She strongly suggested that the Historic Preservation Commission begin working with the Planning & Zoning Commission on a historic overlay code. In response to Kurtz, Wilde said this project had not been brought before the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA)for approval.In response to Libbrecht,Wilde said the ordinance for this rezone would be introduced at the August 24,2020 council meeting and there would be a public hearing at the September 14, 2020 council meeting. Furlong was concerned that not allowing this rezone would hinder Seward's growth and she wondered what the point was of sending a resolution to council on this topic when it had already been approved by the Planning&Zoning Commission. In response to Furlong, Wilde said council had appointed the Historic Preservation Commission as an advisory commission to guide them in the direction the city should be moving, and she encouraged the commission to voice their opinions on this topic by council resolution.Wilde hoped to work collaboratively with the Historic Preservation Commission to create a zoning code that was workable and understandable for everyone.In response to Libbrecht,Wilde said it was uncommon for lots to revert back to their previous district after being rezoned. Motion Passed Yes: Kurtz,Benoit,Libbrecht, Seese No: Furlong