HomeMy WebLinkAbout11032020 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
November 3, 2020 Volume 7,Page 426
CALL TO ORDER
The November 3, 2020 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at
7:04 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund.
OPENING CEREMONY
Commissioner Nathanial Charbonneau led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Cindy Ecklund presiding and
Nathanial Charbonneau Craig Ambrosiani
Gary Seese Kelli Hatfield
Tom Swann (telephonic)
comprising a quorum of the Board; and
Jessica Stallard, Deputy City Clerk
Eric Kozielski, Planner
Excused—None
Absent—None
Vacant—One
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING—None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Ambrosiani/Charbonneau) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The Planner read the following consent agenda items into the record:
Approval of October 6, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Administration Report. Planner Eric Kozielski said 43 building permits had been
approved this year. In 2019, there were 6 new homestarts and 6 new multi-family. In 2020, there
were 9 new homestarts. 102 new business license renewals had been reviewed this year. The
City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
November 3, 2020 Volume 7, Page 427
demolition of the Jesse Lee Home was underway but the timeline had been pushed back by some
time delays. Jackie Wilde said there had been a lot of requests asking to receive materials. On
October 26, 2020, the renaming of Rush Loop was approved and Former City Manager Scott
Meszaros was terminated at this meeting. On November 4, 2020, there will be a special council
meeting to discuss the hiring of a permanent city manager and conduct an executive session on the
Jesse Lee Home.
In response to Ecklund,City Planner Eric Kozielski said Community Development reviews
all new business licenses and renewals.
Other Reports,Announcements,and Presentations—None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolutions for Public Hearing and Enactment
Resolution 2020-12 Of The Seward Planning And Zoning Commission,Recommending That The
City Council Amend The Land Use Plan And Zoning Designation Of Lots 15a And 1 5b, Of Jesse
Lee Heights Subdivision Addition No 4 With The Physical Address Of 101& 105 Benson Drive
From Multi-Family Residential (R3)To Park(P)
Motion (Charbonneau/Ambrosiani) Enact Resolution 2020-012
Community Development Planner Eric Kozielski said at the July 13,2020 city council meeting,
the city council mentioned having the Jesse Lee Home turned into a park.Parks&Recreation had no
objection to the addition of this site.Administraion requested more public input prior to hearing this
case, as the restrictions for gatherings are still in effect the use of a survey was suggested for
gathering input. Staff recommended that the commission postpone this resolution and schedule a
work session on this topic for November 17, 2020.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened All comments were submitted in writing, unless otherwise noted
Sarah Walker said in person she was with an organization named HYPER. They did not
want the Jesse Lee Home land to be turned into a park. She wanted it to be turned into a daycare or
children museum. She encouraged the commission postponing this resolution.
Tanguy Libbrecht spoke in person in support of the Jesse Lee Home being rezoned to a
park.He thanked the commission for preserving some portions of the land and building.
Sharon Steven Ganser supported the rezoning of the Jesse Lee Home to park. This would
assure everyone how special this area is to the City of Seward and the State of Alaska.
Marianna Keil respectfully asked that a portion of the Jesse Lee Home be rezoned to park
and the rest of the property be subdivided for housing.
City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
November 3, 2020 Volume 7, Page 428
Rhonda Hubbard was in favor of a Jesse Lee Home Memorial Park. She encouraged the
commission to engage the Seward Historic Preservation Commission in the decision.
Tom Tougas said the lack of quality housing in Seward was a major issue.He asked that the
commission fail Resolution 2020-012.
No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed.
Craig Ambrosiani believed the commission did more zoning than planning.He believed the
Jesse Lee Home area would be a good spot for multi-family housing, a recreation center, or a
daycare. In response to Ambrosiani, Ecklund said planning had been done in public processes.
Kelli Hatfield was concerned about housing but she also liked the idea of the Jesse Lee
Home being turned into a park.
Motion to Postpone(Hatfield/Charbonneau) Postpone Resolution 2020-012 to the
December 2020 meeting.
Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous
UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None
NEW BUSINESS
Other New Business Items
Set work session topic for November 17,2020.
The work session topic for November 17, 2020 was set as"Discuss ideas for use of the Jesse Lee
Home property".
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Planning and Zoning Commissioner Newsletter.
FEMA Region X Newsletter.
2020 Planning&Zoning Meeting Schedule.
City Calendars.
COMMISSION COMMENTS
Charbonneau thanked staff and the public.
City of Seward, Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
November 3, 2020 Volume 7, Page 429
Ambrosiani thanked staff and the public.
Seese thanked staff and the public.
Ecklund thanked staff. She said she looked forward to the November 17,2020 work session.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Sarah Walker suggested some of the wood be used for a gazebo in the Jesse Lee Home
memorial.
Judy Andriana thanked the commission for postponing Resolution 2020-012.
COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Eric Kozielski said the demolition company was trying to preserve pieces of the Jesse Lee
Home for a memorial.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
Jessica Stallard, C Cindy Eck
Depoty City Clerk Chair
(City Seale..• 'Slof
T
• SEAL
. L
i ePJ,••.••+fie..