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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10062020 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes October 6, 2020 Volume 7, Page 420 CALL TO ORDER The October 6,2020 regular meeting of the Seward Planning&Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. OPENING CEREMONY Commissioner Demoss led the pledge of allegiance to the flag ROLL CALL There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding,and Tom Swann via phone Liz DeMoss Gary Seese Kelli Hatfield Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Also Present Jackie C. Wilde, Community Development Director Eric Kozielski, Planner All public testimony was delivered either in writing or telephonically at this meeting CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING-None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Hatfield/Demoss) Approve the agenda and consent agenda Motion Unanimous Consent SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Administration Report Jackie Wilde stated that the first of hopefully many work sessions with Historic Preservation will be held on November 3, 2020. Wilde reported that planner Kozielski would be leaving his position. Other Reports, Announcements, and Presentations Chair Ecklund gave KPB reported that KPB Mayor approved that Seward keep their seat on the planning commission. Ecklund gave a report about the borough's changes to Title 20 subdivision. City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes October 6, 2020 Volume 7, Page 421 Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing: Resolution 2020-08 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a conditional use permit to John Wisel II to construct and operate two or more apartment units within a commercial building located at 213 Fifth Avenue in the Central Business district(CB) Wilde gave general review of the CUP application and listed the conditions as listed in resolution. Kozielski stated that all requests from the previous postponement had been meant. The conditions recommending are from staff and requirements made by the CUP. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. John Wisel, inside city, stated that he owns property. Wisel looks forward to working with the City during the project and he the fully supports this project. Full discussion is available on line. Kozielski read email from Mark Kulstad into record. I would like to respectfully request a Postponement to Unfinished Business Item A. 1 Resolution 2020-08 scheduled to be heard October 6, 2020, and also request a work session be schedule prior to the rescheduling of this item. This development could be precedence setting for other development in the City of Seward. Concerns about; 1)does this use reflect the intent ofSeward's Comprehensive Plan, 2)negatively affect adjacent properties, 3) meet expectations of the community, visually in relation to Architecture and beautification, 4) should buffering, landscaping, or art be required to be incorporated into the design, 5) has the Uniform Fire Code approved wall systems that incorporate Glass into firewall requirements, and 6)how the use of the existing foundation poured in the 1940's, made with pit run aggregate, a concrete mix and rebar insufficient to meet today's codes, can be engineered to safely accommodate the proposed structure. These are only a few reasons that predicate my request for postponement, and a work session schedule allowing Members of City Council, the Mayor, Members of the Historic Preservation Commission, Members of the Downtown Business District, adjacent property owners, as well as other concerned citizens of Seward, to participate in needful conversation with the developer and the Commission prior to any approval. - Thank you, Mark Kulstad Kozielski read email from Kevin Lane into record. This letter is in reference to the CUP application for 213 5th Ave by John Wisel. As the next door neighbor to this dilapidated building for the past 5+years, I really would love to see a new and improved building in that spot!I do have a few concerns though. Parking- During the summer season especially, parking is a challenge to say the least. New businesses and/or residential space, while welcomed, will add to that challenge. In Mr. Wisel's application and the P and ZAgenda Statement, it states a "building with 3 studio apartments"but the drawing shows 2 apartments. Which is it? 2 or 3? City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes October 6, 2020 Volume 7, Page 422 In addition, in the drawing, the retail and office spaces state "see sheet A2.3 if this unit is to be laid out as residential/uni".... Is the intention to turn these spaces into residential/nightly rentals? Obviously that would change parking requirements. Another concern is access to the parking area. The alleyway is quite busy throughout the summer with deliveries, waste pickup and residential traffic. I worry about increased traffic through our parking lot between the two buildings. Cookery future property use- 1 suppose this is as much a question as it is a concern. Would Mr. Wisel's plans adversely affect any future potential for our property. I believe he is on a zero-lot line and the drawing has windows on the South side. Would I be able to build to my North lot line in the future? We are looking to expand our building and one of the options would be to build up to the North lot line. Would I be able to build a three story building in the future? Obviously, this would be a concern for future plans and possibly affect resale potential of the property. I do hope to see improvements in that space, but I also hope the Mr. Wisel respects the community and businesses that already exists.Thank you for your time. Kevin LaneChef/OwnerThe Cookery LLC Kozielski read email from Mary Kulstad into record. As a multiple property owner that will be negatively affected by this resolution, I am opposed to granting the conditional use permit for mixed use CUP with 3 Apartments. Respectfully Council, I appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing this matter and reaching a decision in the best interest of the Seward Community. In your review please consider these concerns: Mr. Wisel proposed plan is a concept that opens questions and concerns for the future look of Downtown Historic District. His plan is predicated on building on the existing 30 x 65 foundation that is built on the south property line. Which will need to be qualified structural as we know. We are already aware that Zoning does not allow windows in a building built on a lot line or in the setback Yet his plan shows windows in the south wall which is built on the lot line and the proposal does not provide the required information for acceptance of this exception. I would ask that the information was provided for review before acceptance of the proposal. This conceptual design is in direct violation of codes and appears flawed Another consideration is the CUP proposal also does not take into consideration of landscaping, beautification or design that would add to the Seward downtown appeal, it saturates the property and detracts from the historic small-town appeal. In review of the new design it requests approval for 3 apartments but the proposal adds a 4th apartment. It states 2 apartments are planned on the 3rd floor and the second floor is proposed to be 2 more apartments or retail. Which now indicates the intent is to have 4 apartments not just 3. Mr. Wise!proposal states his intended use for this building(once it is built to get a conditional use permit to as Daily rentals.) It raises the question if there is a possibility of converting the other 2 retail spaces to Daily rentals, as they are designed with a similar layout. He has provided 3 parking spaces for the apartments, not 4. Giving concern to the parking design. In review of the parking design the ingress and egress from the alley is limiting, City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes October 6, 2020 Volume 7, Page 423 consideration of snow removal and ice conditions needs to be considered for acceptance of this proposal for 3 spaces. On page 12, his listed remarks are below: Use of property A) retail 1st floor, nightly stay/or retail 2ndfloor, nightly stay 3rdfloor, 4 parking spaces provided in the rear From his written answers he has stated his intend use is nightly rentals and not as monthly Apartments rentals as the code exception allows. He also now states there are 4 parking spaces -when the design has only 3, the additional space is listed for delivery and trash. I would ask for more clarification on this issue. Next he List impacts and property values affects: He states more foot traffic, money spent and business to business trade. Win/Win Building improvement for safety and appearance. The concept of foot traffic/businesses to business trade is when you bring something new to the business area. In this proposal at least 2/3 of property are to be in the same industry. This is a fundamental concern. B) He does not acknowledge that his proposal will have some negative impact on the adjoining properties and although development of the property would be ideal, this proposal does not support most of the adjoining property's needs and is in conflict with them. C) This proposal saturates the use of the land with the highest occupancy use for parking, causing for reservation of this CUP approval. It should be necessary and reasonable to consider that each apartment may have 2 cars per dwelling and will need long term parking for all of their guest as well. Approval for this type of use in this saturated business area will strain the already limited parking. D) There will be a negative impact to some of our returning Tourist expectations and new guest as a three-story building will affect their enjoyment and views and will affect the hotels property negatively. The CB code states, "mutually beneficial", there is No additional benefit for more Daily Rentals in an area saturated with Daily Rentals as 5th Ave and the adjacent area are. The downtown Historic area needs additional businesses that offer Services to the Visitors of Seward. The biggest need for our Tourist and draws we need are activities, bakery's, and specialty store etc.! Currently as a Community we need to consider if adding more of same type businesses in a saturated area is the correct interpretation of the Strategic and Comprehensive plan. Cities can disapprove of proposals that do reflect the long-term needs of the community to fill the gaps that a small community has or limit similar business in an area due to negative effects. - Time expired with 4 paragraphs left- Hearing no one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. Motion (Hatfield/ DeMoss) Amend the title of resolution from 2 or more apartments too read 3 apartments Motion Passed as Amended AYES: Seese, Hatfield, DeMoss, Swann, Ecklund NOES: none City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes October 6, 2020 Volume 7, Page 424 l I Motion (Hatfield/DeMoss) General discussion given between commission Motion Approve Resolution 2020-08 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a Conditional Use Permit to John Wisel II to construct and operate a mixed-use commercial building with 3 studio apartment units located at 213 Fifth Avenue in the Central Business district (CB) AYES: Hatfield, DeMoss, Seese, Swann, Ecklund NOES: none New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2020-11 of The Planning and Zoning Commission Of The City Of Seward,Alaska, Recommending City Council Approve The Renaming Of The North/South Right Of Way Currently Known As Rush Loop To Dunham Drive Located Within The Gateway Subdivision Wilde gave general report. Wilde stated that majority owners of the gateway subdivision were in favor of changing the name to Dunham Drive Chair Ecklund opened public hearing on this item. Wilde read email from Sharon and Mark Ganser into record. As property owners of 2002 Rush Loop, we fully support the name change of Rush Loop to Dunham Drive. Thank you,Sharon Stevens-Ganser and Mark Ganser Chair Ecklund closed public hearing. Motion (DeMoss, Hatfield) Approve Resolution 2020-11 of The Planning And Zoning Commission Of The City Of Seward, Alaska, Recommending City Council Approve The Renaming Of The North/South Right Of Way Currently Known As Rush Loop To Dunham Drive Located Within The Gateway Subdivision DeMoss stated she liked this change Ecklund wanted to make sure it meant the requirements of the definitions of drive City ofSeward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes October 6,2020 Volume 7, Page 425 Motion Passed AYES: DeMoss, Swann, Hatfield, Seese, Ecklund NOES: none NEW BUSINESS Set Joint Work Session with Historic Preservation Commission for November 3, 2020 from 6:00- 7:00 PM and set topic as"City Code and the Amendment process". Set work session topic for October 20, 2020"Discuss Title 15 Definitions pertaining to Dwelling, Lodging, and Housing". Commission Comments: Swann- apologized for missing the last work session he was busy welcoming his grandson into the world. Ecklund-reported that KPB planning commission had approved various areas in the borough for cell phone towers. She stated that they approved one to be located by Bear Creek Fire Station. Citizens' Comments: Tony Baclaan stated that it was a very interesting meeting. Baclaan spoke about how does Seward envision density he was really happy to hear that Dunham drive was accepted. He would also like to see a work session on parking. He thanked everyone for their work and dedication. Commission and Administration Response to Citizens'Comments commission and staff spoke about parking with Baclaan ADJOURNMENT (Hatfield) The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM Jackie C. Wilde Cindy L lund Community Development Director Chair e•;4 OF..?Ej,4' •••••. .��•.. •.i (City FE I 111 • � •e is':?:***; w•' 4 q •••,1 OF Rip';•°` •..x..xcxa.x�x