HomeMy WebLinkAbout02022021 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
February 2, 2021
CALL TO ORDER Volume 7, Page 440
The February 2, 2021 regular 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 VanessaVerhey
Nathanial Charbonneau Kelli Hatfield
Excused
Gary Seese Craig Ambrosiani
Comprising a quorum of the Board; and
Also Present
Jackie C. Wilde, Community Development Director
Andy Bacon, Planning Assistant
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
All public testimony was delivered either in writing or telephonically at this meeting
Bacon read written submissions into the record, summarized as follows:
Dolly Wiles, inside city, stated she was representing the Qutekcak Native Tribe and was writing
in support of the proposal for the City of Seward to sell land to Chugachmiut for the construction
of a health clinic. Wiles outlined many benefits such a project would bring to Seward, including
professional jobs, increased quality services for QNT members, and an increase in local business
and sales tax revenue.
Angela Vanderpool, outside city, stated she was representing Chugachmiut, and was writing in
support of their request for the City to sell a portion of land at Fort Raymond for the construction
of a new North Star Health Clinic. Vanderpool outlined the numerous services offered by the
clinic,and stated that the construction of a new facility would bring benefits to Seward such as 24
new jobs,an increase in itinerant support staff utilizing local hotels and restaurants,and expanded
services. Vanderpool stated that Chugachmiut has been working with the City for 10-11 months
on exploring site options for the new facility,and is asking the City for a firm commitment so that
they can commence an intensive study of the preferred parcel.
City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
February 2, 2021 Volume 7, Page 441
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Swann/Charbonneau) Approve the agenda and consent agenda
Motion Passed AYES: Charbonneau, Swann, Verhey,
Hatfield,Ecklund
NOES: none
December 1, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved on the consent agenda
December 15,2020 Special Meeting Minutes were approved on the consent agenda
SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Administration Report
Jackie Wilde discussed the February 1, 2021 Council work session going over possible uses of
Lot 7A Fort Raymond,including possible sale of a portion to Chugachmiut for a new health clinic.
Wilde referred to some example maps hanging in council chambers.At the end of the work session,
Council referred the item to Planning and Zoning for an additional work session and gathering of
public comment.Wilde also discussed the upcoming Planning Conference.In response to Ecklund,
Wilde read over the proposed use of Lot 7A from the 2104 municipal land management plan.
Other Reports,Announcements, and Presentations - None
New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing
Resolution 2021-01 Recommending City Council And Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval
Of The City Owned: Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center,
Polar Seafood Lease Lots; A Replat Of Lots 1A And 1B Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision,
Seward Marine Industrial Center Polar Seafoods Replat;Located Within The Industrial (I)
Zoning District
Chair Ecklund opened public hearing on this item. Hearing no one wishing to speak, Chair
Ecklund closed public hearing and asked for the staff report.
Bacon provided an overview of the proposed platting action, stating the purpose was to create a
new lease parcel to support operations at the Polar Seafoods fish processing plant, and to create a
parcel to support operations for the US Coast Guard fast response cutter. Bacon stated that the
entire area was in the Industrial Zoning District, and described the surrounding development of
the area. Bacon stated that city staff had reviewed the preliminary plat and no objections were
reported, and that all public noticing requirements of city code were followed.
City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
February 2, 2021 Volume 7, Page 442
Motion (Charbonneau/Swann) Approve resolution 2021-01
Recommending City Council And Kenai
Peninsula Borough Approval Of The City
Owned: Fourth Of July Creek
Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial
Center,Polar Seafood Lease Lots;A Replat
Of Lots 1A And 1B Fourth Of July Creek
Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial
Center Polar Seafoods Replat; Located
Within The Industrial(I)Zoning District
Charbonneau and Swann had no comments on the plat. Ecklund asked how the name "polar
seafoods lease lots" was chosen. Wilde stated that surveyor Stacy Wessel was on the phone and
could answer.Wessel stated the subdivision name was the project name that was chosen,and stated
the replat title could be whatever they wanted, providing the portion describing the name of the
subdivision remain. Ecklund asked about the location of utility easements. Bacon stated that all
easements were carried forward from the parent plat. Wessel discussed the easements in greater
depth with the Commission.Wilde confirmed that there were utilities located within the described
easements. In response to Ecklund,Wessel stated that the location of large boulders was shown on
the preliminary plat to give the City a reference point to proposed new lot lines. Wessel stated that
other features noted on the preliminary plat were for the City to use for information, and would
not appear on the final plat going before the Borough.
Motion (Ecklund/Swann)Motion Passed
Amend the title of the replat to "coastal
lots"
AYES: Hatfield, Swann, Charbonneau,
Verhey, Ecklund
NOES:
Main Motion Passed AYES: Swann, Charbonneau, Verhey,
Hatfield, Ecklund
NOES:
New Business
1. Discuss planning and Zoning Priorities from April 2021 to April 2022
Wilde discussed upcoming joint work session dates with Council. Commission discussed this
year's priorities based on the 2020-2021 annual priorities resolution, and advised Staff of desired
additions,and specified those priorities which should be moved to"short term"versus"ongoing"
City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
February 2, 2021 Volume 7, Page 443
at the conclusion of the discussion the Commission asked staff to bring forward a resolution
specifying the April 2021 to April 2022 priorities.
2. Approve 2021 Planning and Zoning meeting calendar
Commission discussed the proposed meeting calendar and moved to delete the second work
session in December, which would take place on December 21. Commission approved the 2021
meeting calendar.
3. Set February 16 Work session Topic as: Discuss possible code changes regarding
Dwellings, Housing,and Short-Term Rentals
The Commission discussed possible dates for a work session to discuss the disposition of a
portion of Lot 7A fort Raymond, as well as proposed uses for public purposes and leasing
options.The Commission set the date of Thursday February 11 from 3:00-5:00 PM to discuss
the Fort Raymond property in order to better inform the Council prior to their meeting of
February 22.
Commission set the February 16 Work session Topic as: Discuss possible code changes
regarding Dwellings, Housing, and Short-Term Rentals
4. Discuss scheduling a work session to review the Municipal Lands Management Plan
The Commission set their April 20, 2021 work session topic to discuss and review the Municipal
Lands Management Plan.
5. 2021 Planning Conference Notice
Wilde described the dates and format of the 2021 Planning Conference and encouraged
Commissioners to attend the"Planning Commissioner Training"on February 21, 2021.
Commission Comments:
Hatfield- Stated that she enjoyed her time on the Commission and had learned a lot. Hatfield
thanked the Commission.
Charbonneau-Thanked staff for the presented information,IT for facilitating our virtual meeting,
and Hatfield for her service on Commission. In response to Ecklund, stated that he would be
applying for another term on the Commission
Swann-Stated the Commission would miss Hatfield,and thanked her. Swann noted that there was
not a City of Seward residency requirement on the Historic Preservation Commission
Ecklund- Reminded Commissioners to complete their APOC paperwork, thanked staff for
preparing two packets this evening, and thanked the Commission for scheduling an extra work
session this month.
Citizens' Comments:
Tony Baclaan, inside city, thanked Kelli Hatfield for her service on the Commission and
welcomed Vanessa Verhey to the Commission. Baclaan discussed the Fort Raymond property and
that what Council is looking for is input on whether it would be in the best interest of the citizens
to either lease or sell these lands. Baclaan stated that he did not want the process rushed. Baclaan
stated that one positive aspect of having an interested party with a defined project is that the City
doesn't run the risk of leasing or selling land only to have it continue to sit vacant. Baclaan
City ofSewarca Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes
February 2, 2021 Volume 7, Page 444
discussed the Historic Preservation Commission, and asked who on the City's staff assisted that
commission with drafting resolutions and agenda statements.
Erik Fredeen,outside city, thanked the Commission for scheduling a work session to discuss the
sale Fort Raymond property to Chugachmiut. Fredeen stated that he was a third-party project
manager representing Chugachmiut and expressed concern that Chugachmiut's preferred site was
not reflected on the map of proposed configuration for Lot 7 A Fort Raymond. Fredeen stated that
the location the City was currently proposing was not brought to Chugachmiut for consultation,
and that it was located in a flood zone.
Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments
Wilde stated, in response to Mr. Fredeen's comments, that the proposed maps of Lot 7A fort
Raymond were meant to address a variety of potential land uses, including public uses for the City
of Seward, and these different proposal maps came about by direction of City Council
Bacon stated that he pulled up the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service area map of Lot 7A and it is
located entirely outside the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Ecklund relaxed the rules and allowed Mr. Fredeen to speak again
Erik Fredeen stated that the property is located in a flood zone if you look at the Kenai Peninsula
Borough flood map instead of the FEMA flood map,and that he would prefer using the Borough's
flood map because he believes it to be more accurate.
ADJOURNMENT (Swann)
The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 PM
Jackie C. Wilde Cindy L. c fund
Community Development Director Chair
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