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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12012020 Planning & Zoning Minutes City ofSeward,Alaska December 1, 2020 Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes Volume 7, Page 430 CALL TO ORDER The December 1, 2020 meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. OPENING CEREMONY Commissioner Charbonneau led the pledge of allegiance to the flag ROLL CALL There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding,and Tom Swann Gary Seese Kelli Hatfield Craig Ambrosiani Nathanial Charbonneau 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 (Swann/Hatfield) Approve the agenda and consent agenda Chair Ecklund pulled the November 3,2020 minutes off the consent agenda Motion Passed AYES: Charbonneau Swann, Ambrosiani, Seese,Hatfield, Ecklund NOES: none SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Administration Report Jackie Wilde thanked the MIS department for their assistance in migrating public meetings over to the Zoom platform. Wilde stated that Planner Kozielski's last day at work was approaching,and that he will be missed. Other Reports,Announcements,and Presentations - None City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 1, 2020 Volume 7, Page 431 Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing 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 15B, 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) Wilde stated that she has written citizen comments to read into the record, and has presented a laydown of the public comments received in the recent survey so that those may be retained in the record. This item is being brought back for public hearing from the November 3, 2020 meeting after the Commission requested more public input on the zoning change. A work session was held on December 1,and an online survey was distributed receiving approximately 160 comments. Chair Ecklund opened public hearing on this item. Christy Audette Bagula, inside city, discussed the historic use of the property as an orphanage and stated that it would be a shame to see the area developed with apartment buildings, and supported a plan to convert the area to a memorial and a park. Sharyl Seese, inside city, stated that she supports the resolution as written. Seese stated that she supported construction of a gazebo with interpretive panels telling the story of the Jesse Lee Home. Sara Walker, outside city, stated that she is with the HYPER group, and that she I not in support of a park because she has two young kids and they need a place to play indoors. Walker stated that her dream is to build a childcare facility,a daycare,and a museum.Walker was in support of doing something for the kids,but not an outdoor park. Nicole Lawrence,outside city,stated that she has heard a lot of great ideas of how the land should be used, and that it should honor the JLH and the children who lived there. Stated that this area was a high-density housing area and that it would be nice to have a green space for the area residents to use. Lawrence pointed out that contrary to what many were saying, if a portion of the land were to be designated for housing development,that it would not necessarily become section 8 multi-family housing. Lawrence emphasized the importance of honoring the history of the site, and stated that it would be beneficial to the City to sell some of the land for the purpose of building more housing. Liz DeMoss,inside city,stated that it seemed that most people wanted this to remain a green space, but noted that there were still housing issues with quality single family homes being available in Seward. DeMoss noted that the City may have other lands available to sell for housing development,and stated that she supports the resolution as written. Tanguy Libbrecht, outside city, stated that he supports the park designation, and looks forward to hearing further conversation on how the land gets developed. Libbrecht thanked the Commission for their work. City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 1, 2020 Volume 7, Page 432 Chair Ecklund closed public hearing. Motion (Charhonneau/Ambrosiani) Approve 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 15b, 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) Charhonneau asked if a zoning change to Park would affect any of the development ideas heard, such as museum or child care center, to which Wilde replied that if a development proposal was brought forward that did not fit with the Park designation a section of the property could always be rezoned to fit the proposal. Ecklund and Ambrosiani asked if a community center or child care center were already allowed in Park. Ecklund relaxed the rules to ask questions of Sara Walker. In response to Ecklund, Walker stated that her group was not interested in purchasing the land, but was more interested in leasing it or partnering with the City to develop the child care center and museum. Walker stated that her group was launching a website in January and was planning a family needs survey. Walker stated that a 2020 survey conducted by her group found that a large number of respondents weren't satisfied with the child care options in Seward. Ecklund went back on the rules Wilde provided the Commission with land uses allowed in Park zoning. Hatfield stated that she has concerns with rezoning the entirety of the land as a park,and predicted that given the economic situation the lot would likely be empty for years to come. Hatfield noted that the housing market already contained many newly developed multifamily and studio dwelling units,and discussed the need for more single-family homes. Hatfield discussed selling a portion of he land for housing development as a means to raise money for developing the park and memorial. Swann stated that from a public point of view it is more difficult to change back from Park to another residential use later in time. Swann stated that what is not known is the amount of leftover grant funds from demolition,and how those may be used to fund the development of the park and memorial. Swann stated that knowing how much funding was leftover would better inform the Commission of how they should plan future use of the land. Motion (Swann/Hatfield) Postpone Resolution 2020-12 until demolition of the Jesse Lee home is completed. Ecklund asked administration about the demolition timeline. Wilde stated that because the City was delayed in demolishing the building, they were up against a tight deadline to spend funds by June 30, 2021. Wilde stated that by code, a memorial had to be built in the Park zoning district. Ecklund asked if the state could not be petitioned to move the deadline forward due to the delay caused by the Title dispute,to which Wilde replied that the City had already asked and that if the City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 1,2020 Volume 7,Page 433 funds are not spent then they would return to the States general fund. Swann stated that he would like to rescind his motion, and Hatfield agreed. Ambrosiani asked what permanent structures could be placed on the property,which may inhibit future development for other purposes,and the commission discussed possible land uses. Ecklund discussed leaving the platted lots as they are, rezoning Lot 15B to park, and leaving Lot 15A available for housing development, and asked the commission for their thoughts on that. Hatfield concurred with that,but noting the public concerns with density in the area, recommended rezoning Lot 15A to Rl for lower density development. Commissioners discussed using the Lot 15A for various types of housing. Swann stated that if the land were developed with a pavilion,or other public use amenities,it would be better to have more land as a buffer between the adjoining dwellings in the area. Ambrosiani noted that this area was the highest density housing area in town, and that the neighborhood needed recreation spaces for kids, discussing such items as a recreation center or a pool, being attractive for bringing new families to town.Wilde stated that these uses would be allowed by CUP in the Park zoning district. Ecklund moved to amend the resolution to rezone .66 acres of the subject property to Park, and rezone the remaining 2 acres to R2. Wilde called a point of order, stating that the proposed amendment would need to be re-noticed to the public, specifying that the proposed amendment would be too significant a change to the resolution that went out for public notice. Ecklund's motion failed for lack of a second. Swann stated that he originally would have been in favor of dividing the property to allow for more housing, but upon hearing discussion is now in favor of turning the whole parcel into a park for the purpose of creating a public space. Swann stared that he is in favor of passing the resolution as written. Hatfield asked what might happen if the land were to remain zoned R3, specifically if the Council could move ahead and sell the property. Ecklund stated that the municipal land management plane recommended dividing the property and selling it to a party with a sound development plan. Main Motion Passed AYES: Hatfield, Swann, Seese, Charbonneau,Ambrosiani NOES: Ecklund Set Work Session Topic for December 15,2020 Commission set a one-hour work session to discuss Dwelling definitions on December 15,2020 Commission scheduled a special meeting for December 15, 2020 Approval of the November 3,2020 meeting minutes Ecklund stated that she recalled that Commission discussed conducting a survey on the Jesse Lee Home, but there was no mention in the minutes of the Commission directing staff to conduct the survey,which she felt would give more credence to the survey.Wilde stated that the minutes would be amended and brought back at the special meeting. City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 1, 2020 Volume 7, Page 434 Commission Comments: Ambrosiani-Thanked staff for their work on the survey Charbonneau- thanked staff for their work on the survey, and wished Eric well in his future endeavors Swann-thanked the staff for setting up the meeting on Zoom Ecklund-thanked the MIS and Community Development department for holding the meeting on Zoom Citizens' Comments: Christy Audette Bagula, thanked the commission for being thoughtful and considerate of the citizens comments,and thanked the staff who transcribed the all comments Cheryl Seese,thanked the Commissioners and staff for their work on the Jesse Lee Home topic Tanguy Libbrecht thanked staff and commission on the thoughtful process, and for listening to - the thoughts from the public. Libbrecht stated that there is a difficult balance that mist be achieved. Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments Wilde stated that City staff were working on holding all subsequent public meetings on Zoom Ecklund appreciated being able to conduct public business on Zoom ADJOURNMENT (Charbonneau) The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM d6t)C10642 Jac C. Wilde Cindy L c lun Community Development Director Chair OF Sei :''e, (City S ••�'40.WP°R.Z;,•'P4•,. --•-- G 's _ • SEAL = • E •• e•••,rF OF Ask •.••' �0Nessss•.'