HomeMy WebLinkAbout08112021 Planning & Zoning Work Session Packet Planning and Zoning Commission
Joint Work Session with Flood Board and
PACAB
Photo by Murray Lundberg
August 11, 2021
6:00 P.M. Library Community Room, 239 Sixth Ave
Sponsored by: Applicant
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 2021-014
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, RECOMMENDING KENAI
PENINSULA BOROUGH APPROVAL OF THE PRELIMINARY RIGHT
OF WAY(ROW)ACQUISITION PLAT FOR THE SEWARD AIRPORT ON
VARIOUS LEGALS LOCATED IN SEC 2 & 3, T1S, R1W AND SEC 34 &
35,TIN,R1W,SEWARD MERIDIAN SW,THAT POINT KNOWN AS THE
SEWARD AIRPORT, PHYSICAL LOCATION,2310 AIRPORT ROAD.
WHEREAS, The Seward Airport has submitted a preliminary plat to the City of Seward
for review and recommendation to the Kenai Peninsula Borough; and
WHEREAS, this platting action will acquire Parcel 1, owned by Civil Air Patrol, Parcel
4, owned by Leirer Family Limited Partnership, and Parcel 5, owned by the City of Seward, in Sec
2 & 3, T1S, R1W and Sec 34& 35, TIN, R1W, Seward Meridian SW, That Point Known As The
Seward Airport to create a new ROW for Runway 16/34, which will be shifted, lengthened, and
raised above the 100-year flood level; and
WHEREAS,the parcels located at 2310 Airport Road is zoned Industrial (I); and
WHEREAS, the parcels for acquisition are not developed and are part of the
Tidelands; and
WHEREAS, the ROW parcels will not be developed, but are required for airspace
clearance requirements; and
WHEREAS,City staff have stated that a subdivision installation agreement is not required
for this replat; and
WHEREAS, all conditions required by Seward City Code §16.01.015, Conditions to plat
approval, were met; the property owners and leaseholders within 300 feet of the requested replat
were notified of the proposed subdivision, and the property was posted with public notice signage;
and
WHEREAS, it is the Planning and Zoning Commission's responsibility to act in an
advisory capacity to the Seward City Council and the Kenai Peninsula Borough regarding
ROW acquisition plat proposals.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning
Commission that:
4
Seward Planning and Zoning Commission
Resolution No. 2021-014
Page 2 of 2
Section 1. The Commission hereby recommends that, in accordance with Seward City Code
Section 16.01.015 (B), the City Council approve the submittal of the replat of Sec 2 & 3, T1S,
R1W and Sec 34 & 35, TIN, R1W, Seward Meridian SW, That Point Known As The Seward
Airport to acquire Parcel 1, owned by Civil Air Patrol, Parcel 4, owned by Leirer Family Limited
Partnership, and Parcel 5, owned by the City of Seward, to create a new ROW for Runway 16/34,
which will be shifted, lengthened, and raised above the 100-year flood level.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission this 6th
day of July 2021.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
Cindy L. Ecklund, Chair
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
Brenda Ballou, MMC
City Clerk
(City Seal)
5
P&Z Agenda Statement
01
004—
Meeting Date: July 6, 2021
Through: Jackie C. Wilde, Community Development Director
From: Courtney L Bringhurst, Planner
Agenda Item: Recommending City Council And Kenai Peninsula Borough
Approval Of ROW Acquisition Plat For The Seward Airport
Improvements On Various Legals Located In Sec 2 & 3, T1S,
R1W and Sec 34 & 35, TIN, R1W, Seward Meridian SW, That
Point Known As The Seward Airport. (Physical location 2310
Airport Road)
BACKGROUND &JUSTIFICATION:
Attached for the Commission's review and recommendation to the Kenai Peninsula Borough
Planning Commission is a preliminary plat submitted by Alaska DOT and PF. This platting action
acquires Parcel 1, owned by Civil Air Patrol,Parcel 4, owned by Leirer Family Limited Partnership,
and Parcel 5, owned by the City of Seward, in Sec 2 & 3, T1S, R1W and Sec 34 & 35, TIN, R1W,
Seward Meridian SW, That Point Known As The Seward Airport to create a new ROW for Runway
16/34, which will be shifted, lengthened, and raised above the 100-year flood level.
The Seward Airport has needed to make improvements for some time now that will substantially
reduce the damage the airport is experiencing from recurrent flooding, and to meet FAA design
standards based on current aircraft utilizing the airport and forecasted aviation needs.
Currently, the runway lighting is old and needs replacement. Much of the pavement needs
rehabilitation or replacement. Testing has revealed a weakened embankment under the pavement
of Runway 13/31, necessitating a restriction of allowable aircraft weights to those under 12,500
pounds. Improvement of aging and deteriorating airport facilities is another major goal of this
proj ect.
The river delta adjacent to the airport has been rising relative to airport elevations, increasing the
frequency and severity of overtopping floods. The main runway is now too low and in the direct
path of the river, which has been repeatedly damaging it during high water events. Overtopping
events were initially limited to the fall but have been occurring June through November in recent
years, making maintaining the runway increasingly difficult. In response to multiple flood events
during of the summer of 2013, DOT&PF constructed an emergency dike that is providing some
temporary relief.
6 6
The most recent revision of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood
Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) has now established a regulatory floodway across the existing main
runway (RW 13/31) of the airport. By federal regulation, allowable construction is extremely
limited in a regulatory floodway. DOT&PF completed a hydrologic study to help identify and
evaluate feasible alternatives.
RW 13/31 is adjacent to the Resurrection River which has flooded it and Taxiway A repeatedly in
recent years, periodically closing the runway and causing ongoing repair expenses. To address this
problem,this project will shift, lengthen, and raise the current crosswind runway(RW 16/34) above
the 100-year flood level. Some taxiways will be raised to meet the new runway elevation while
others will be removed in accordance with current FAA guidance. New runway and taxiway lighting
will be installed. The river side of the raised runway will receive rip rap armoring to protect it during
flood events. The aprons will be repaved, and new navigation aids will be installed. RW 13/31 and
Taxiway A will be closed, but the runway embankment will be left in place as additional protection
against future flood events.
Three alternatives were evaluated during the scoping and environmental process. The current
project scope corresponds to Alternative 2.2 in the approved Environmental Assessment.
Alternative 2.2 had the most advantages and least number of disadvantages.
In accordance with Borough requirements, the City must review and comment on a plat before
submittal to the Borough for approval.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW:
Zoning: The property is zoned Industrial (I).
Size: The amount of land to be acquired is, 38.224 acres from Parcel 1, 1.986 acres from parcel 4,
and 25.395 acres from parcel 5.
Utilities: There are no utilities on these parcels.
Existing Use: The three parcels do not have any development, and are part of the Seward Tidelands.
Access: These parcels will not have vehicular access, but will only provide an extended Right of
Way for the airport to have appropriate airspace clearance to shift, lengthen, and raise Runway
16/34.
Flood Zone: The lots are within an AE Flood Zone.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A
Comprehensive Plan (2030, approved by Council 2017):
Vol 1 Ch 2.2.12.5 - Air Traffic
• "Support the State's airport improvement plan"
1. Vol 1 Ch 3.1.1.2 - Update and expand infrastructure for commercial X
and industrial properties that are currently underdeveloped
• "Support and improve airport."
7 7
Vol 1 Ch 3.4.3 - Improve the usability of the state-owned airport
• "Encourage the State to:
o Complete and implement a flood mitigation project to
protect the runways from flooding"
Strategic Plan (1999):
Improve the state Airport
2 • "Develop a flood mitigation project to protect the runway from X
flooding" (page 16).
Staff Comments:
Department Comments No N/A
Comment
Building Department X
Fire Department X
Public Works I'm concerned about the hazard
Department easement/ clear zone off of the
Dieckgraeff Road may conflict
with the Ci 's Snow Dump site
Harbor Department X
Police Department X
Electric Department X
Telecommunications X
Public Comment:
Property owners within three hundred (300) feet of the proposed platting action were notified of
this public hearing. Public notice signs were posted on the property and all other public
hearing requirements of Seward City Code §15.01.040 were complied with.
At the time of this publication the Community Development Department has received no public
inquiries. If any correspondence is received after publication of this agenda statement, it will be
presented as a lay down item at the Commission meeting.
RECOMMENDATION: Commission approve Resolution 2021-014, recommending that, in
accordance with Seward City Code Section 16.01.015 (B), the City Council approve the
ROW acquisition plat for the Seward Airport improvements on various Legals located in Sec 2 &
3, T1S, R1W and Sec 34 & 35, TIN, R1W, Seward Meridian SW, that point known as the Seward
Airport.
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Seward Aiport ROW Replat Property Map
N Drawn By: Courtney Bringhurst
Due to different data sources property lines and aerial o goo 1,400 2,800 Feet
imagery do not overlay correctly. Map is to be used for #
orientation and reference purposes only. Mapping Assistance by Alaska Map Company,LLC
9 9
°F r,, THE STATE p Department of Transportation and
of�T ASKA
Public Facilities
- .L,,
_= = DESIGN &ENGINEEERING SERVICES
- - - GO-V ERNOR MICI-UEL.J.DUNLEAVY Right of Way Engineering
Off, p. PO Box 196900
LAGI Anchorage,AK 99519-6900
Phone Number: 907 269 0700
Toil Free: 800 770 5263
TDD: 907 269 0473
TTY: 800 770 8973
Fax Number:907 269 0489
Web Site: dot.alaska.gov
March 31, 2021
Jackie C. Wilde, Community Development Director
City of Seward Alaska
238 Fifth Avenue
Seward, Alaska 99664
In Re: Preliminary ROW Acquisition Plat for the Seward Airport Improvements 1 Z548570000
Dear Ms. Wilde
Find attached a submittal for Preliminary Right-of-Way Acquisition Plat approval. One full-size
and seven half-size Right-of-Way plans for the project are included. A check in the amount of
$75.00 to cover the plat processing fee is also included. Plat application has also been made to
the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
The project website can be accessed at:
http://www.dot.alaska.gov/creg/sewardairport/index.shtml
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call me at (907)269-0713 or toll free at 1-800-
770-5263.
Respectfully,
, 4/c,Z-I>
P. Louise Hooyer, P S, CFedS, SR/WA
ROW Engineering Supervisor �Z� Of Seward
Central Region Right-of-Way
Attachments: 1 Full-size Right-of-Way plan set APR 12 2021
7 Half-size Right-of-Way plans
Check for Plat submittal Community Development
cc: Joy Vaughn,PE,Project Manager
James Sowerwine,Project Coordination Supervisor
Randy Vanderwood,PE,Right-of-Way Chief, Central Region Right-of-Way
W:1Projects\AirportslActive Airport Projects1S154857-SewardAirportlAdminlPlattinglPreliminary Plat Approval Request to
City of Seward.doc
I�ccE�:�Icrskcr alr7�iug ihrough service and ittfia.etrw,imv
10 10
�r�r E Nr,ys
t�lw•
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oR o 144 N.Binkley Street,Soldotna,Alaska 99669 • (907)714-2200 (907)714-2378 Fax
PRELIMINARY PLAT SUBMITTAL FORM
QPRELIMINARYPLAT ❑REVISED PRELIMINARY PLAT(no fee required)
PHASED PRELIMINARY PLAT❑PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR PRIVATE STREETS/GATED SUBDIVISION
—all requirements of chapter 20,excluding 20.30.210 and 20.50 apply and must be met.
SUBDIVISION PLATNAME:must be a unique name,contact staff for assistance if needed.
Right of way Acquisition-P-laffQr Seward Airport Improvements
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
legal description various legals located with portions of:
Section,Township,Range Sec 2&3, Tl S, R1 W and Sec 24 &35,Tl N, Rl W,SM
General area description Seward Airport
City(if applicable) Seward Total Acreage
SURVEYOR
Company: AK DOT&PF Contact Person: LoLilse Ho0 er,
Mailing Address: 4111 Aviation Ave City,State,zip Anchorage,AK 99502
Phone: 907-269-0713 e-mail: louise.hooyerAalaska.gov
PROPOSED WASTEWATER AND WATER SUPPLY
WASTEWATERQonsiteE CityOcommunity WATERan site Erity❑eommunity
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
A preliminary plat application will be scheduled for the next available ptat committee meeting
after a complete application has been received.
❑1—full size paper copy
a 7—reduced sized drawing(11 x 17)
❑preliminary plat NON-REFUNDABLE submittal fee 400
n City Planning Commission minutes when located within city limits or Bridge Creek Watershed District
o certificate to plat for ALL parcels included in the subdivision
❑documentation showing proof of signatory authority(partnerships,corporations,estates,trusts,etc.)
❑ALL requirements of KPB 20.25.070(see page 2 for checklist)and KPB 20.25.080
EXCEPTIONS REQUESTED TO PLATTING CODE:A letter,to be presented to the commission,with
substantial evidence justifying the requested exception and fully stating the grounds for the
exception request,and the facts relied upon,MUST be attached to this submittal.
1. 2. 3.
APPLICANT: SIGNATURES OF ALL LEGAL PROPERTY OWNERS ARE REQUIRED.Additional signature
sheets can be attached.When signing on behalf of another individual,estate,corporation,LLC,
partnership,etc.,documentation is required to show authority of the individual(s)signing.
Contact KPB staff for clarification if needed.
OWNER(s)
Name(printed): Signature: (
Phone: e-mail:
Name(printed): Signature: 00
Phone: email: Q.1� e7,
Name(printed): Signature: �91
Phone: e-mail:
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
RECEIVED BY DATE SUBMITTED KPB FILE ii
11 11
Hooyer, Patricia (DOT)
From: Andy Bacon <a bacon @cityofsewa rd.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 11:59 AM
To: Hooyer, Patricia (DOT);Jackie Wilde
Subject: RE: Seward Airport Right of Way Acquisition Preliminary Plat approval
Hi Louise,
The City charges a $75 plat review fee. Please use the Borough application form to accompany your preliminary plat
submittal: https://www.kpb.us/images/KPB/PLN/Plan Comm/Forms/application_prelimina(y plat.pdf
Please let one of us know if you have any other questions, and we look forward to receiving the application
Andy Bacon
Planning Assistant
From: Hooyer, Patricia (DOT) <louise.hooyer@alaska.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 11:49 AM
To:Jackie Wilde<jwilde@cityofseward.net>
Cc:Andy Bacon<abacon@cityofseward.net>
Subject:Seward Airport Right of Way Acquisition Preliminary Plat approval
External Email:This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize
the sender and know the content is safe.
Jackie:
DOT will be submitting a preliminary plat, for the Seward Airport, to the City in a few weeks before we submit to the
Kenai Peninsula Borough. I am wondering if there are any platting fees attached to that submittal?
Thank you for your response.
Louise Hooyer, PLS, CFedS, SR/WA
SOA CR DOT&PF Right of Way Engineering Supervisor
907-269-0713
4111 Aviation Ave
Anchorage,AK 99502
`.` Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
City of Seward
APR 12 2021
Cnmmuri ty Development
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Seward Airport
Improvements
ADOT&PF Project Number: Z548570000
AIP No. 3-02-0259-XXX-20XX
Project Need • Install new airfield edge lighting and
The Main Runway (13/31) at Seward electrical enclosure building;
Airport is frequently overtopped by the ' Install new airport beacon, segmented
circle, and wind cones;
Resurrection River, often several times a
� year, forcing repeated closure and repair of Repave the existing aprons and taxilane;
M the Main Runway. Recurrent flooding has • Improve airport drainage;
4=0 resulted in a weakened runway • Purchase property for airspace.
;No embankment, prompting the department to Funding
Q reduce the loading on the runway to service
only light aircraft. The Alaska Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) and the
The frequency and severity of flooding has Federal Aviation Administration(FAA)will
been steadily increasing. The river is provide funding for the project
directly adjacent to the Main Runway for (approximately 6% and 94%respectively).
over half the runway length. Floodwaters
flow over the runway and threaten to cut Schedule
through the runway embankment during Expected Milestones:
4* high water. Airport Layout Plan—Summer 2021
Pavement on aprons and taxiways is old . Property acquisition— Summer/Fall
with evident ponding and cracking. The 2021
4"0 airfield lighting system is beyond its useful . Final design— Fall 2021
.,.� life and needs to be replaced. • Construction— Summer 2022
q) Project Description Questions?
O~ The purpose of this project is make
�..� P rP P J To learn more, submit questions or
-..0 •wO improvements that protect the airport from comments, or sign up for the project email
;Nofurther flood damage while upgrading the list,please visit the project website at:
V airport to current FAA standards. htt2://dot.alaska.gov/creg/sewardaip2ort/ind
Improvements include: ex.shtml
Shift and lengthen Runway 16/34 to 75' Public Involvement Coordinator:
x 3,300'; Robin Reich
Raise Runway 16/34 above the design Solstice Alaska Consulting, Inc.
flood elevation and provide armor Phone: (907) 929-5960
►,�I protection; Email: solsticeak@solsticeak.com
Close Runway 13/31; ADOT Project Manager:
Reconstruct taxiways to meet the new
runway elevation and eliminate Joy Vaughn, P.E.
taxiways within the center 1/3 of the Phone: (907) 269-0812
�j runway,per FAA guidance; Email:joy.vaughn@alaska.gov
February 2021
7-771—
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Equipment TIW\C
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t,
LegendR - s u r r - c i ,
a
Runway Safety � �
Area(RSA) "
Pavement Limits
-- Fill Limits "a"„
Clearing and State of Alaska
Grubbing Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Clearing Only 0 750 1,500 Central Region
Selective Clearing Feet N
® Taxiway/Runway Seward Airport Improvements
Removal Seward,Alaska --
Seward Airport
LAYOUT PLAN
Boundary Date: 2/12/2021 Figure: 1
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Legend State of Alaska
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
® Regulatory Floodway 0 375 750 1,500 Central Region
2016 Effective FIRM SFHAs Feet
CZone AE Seward Airport Improvements
C Zone VE Seward,Alaska Environmental Assessment
Floodplain Map Existing Seward Airport Boundary Date: 12/11/2018 Figure: 8
� � e
Impacts Mitigation
•The proposed project would result in a Base Flood Elevation Increase •Runway 13-31 will be allowed to overtop and eventually breach.This will
between 0.01 and 0.41 feet.The majority of increase is less than 0.10 feet restore part of the original floodplain.Riprap will be installed to protect the
(1.2 inches).The project does not propose development within the new runway.
regulatory floodway.
Bruce Jaffa PO Box 107 Moose Pass,Alaska 99631
907-288-3175
9 0 7-2 4 0-0 3 6 2 Bruce@JaffaConstruction.com
Seward Airport
I received a call several weeks ago from Joselyn Biloon Area Planner with DOT regarding the renovation/
reconstruction of the Seward Airport. She and I are working on issues in Moose Pass and she asked if I
could suggest a path of communication to respond to the recent P&Z meeting that saw a DOT requested
resolution tabled. Her concern was that the suggested action would postpone action until fall for PACAB
to offer input. I told Joselyn that I would ask around and see what I could learn. I made it clear that in
this and all other discussions I was not speaking for the City of Seward.
I spoke at a Council meeting shortly after this call regarding my personal believe that a delay until fall
was not in the City's interest and the need to bring this resolution back for consideration as soon as
possible. I had follow-up calls with Carol Griswold, Bob Linville and Leif Olson, Steve Leirer, Walter
Corrigan, Duke Marolf, Denny Hamilton, Cindy Elkland, Stephanie Presley and Janette Bower. From this I
got a pretty good updating on what is the current news and views of the project.
I asked for and received from the Clerk information that had been generated by the Airport Advisory
Group. This is likely information that P&Z could have reviewed and found helpful for their meeting. I
have forwarded this to the P&Z Chair.
On Thursday 7-22 following my response to Joselyn, I received a call from DOT Airport planners Joy
Vaughn and Jenelle Brinkman to discuss this issue. I clearly stated I could only speak as a citizen with
some knowledge of the process and issues. We had a frank and cordial discussion about the project and
DOT's understanding of the steps required for the"replat". I am not now nor wish to be an expert on
platting issues.
I did suggest that DOT's effort was not fully explained at the P&Z meeting and allowed mis
interpretation of the intent, plan, schedule, and sequence of events. I do believe some presentation in
the resolution was less than clear or inaccurate. Further the project had not been locally discussed since
the fall of 2019 in any public forum. I did remind DOT that the local advisory group, the general aviation
community, business' and the general population were almost united in opposition to the DOT planned
Alternate 2.2 and supported a different Alternate.
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Take a-ways from phone conversations
DOT planners stated several items during our conversation on July 22nd of interest to me.
1 the existing long runway will be left in place with only the asphalt removed.
2. No float pond is in the current plan
3. Utility extension is considered a part of this project
4.They had made no direct contact with property owners but understood that letters had been sent
5. Following an approval of a preliminary plat by Seward P&Z, negotiation with parties would begin, a
final replat developed then submitted to P&Z,the CC,the KPB as defined in law.
6.A delay until fall would set the project back possibly a year
I can only summarize my conversations with local residents as sort of reopening a wound. None of us
like the DOT plan and a delay without a path forward could certainly cause a cancelation of the project.
Some suggest that maybe that is okay. I do understand that logic but I feel we have lost that battle and
need to move on. We can get a new improved runway now and work toward our larger goal of a long
runway and flood mitigation later. The project is not what many in Seward hoped for but with a firm
commitment to leave the "long runway' structure in place the opportunity to repair it remains.
This is not an easy goal due to flood plan rules, money, and the obstinacy of DOT.
With the benefit of all these conversations I am even more convinced that the City should accept its role
in this project, move forward in the affirmative and allow a preliminary replat to proceed. Ample
opportunity for further public comment and even an effort to stifle the project is available.There is a
fixed period of response. DOT is already invested in this project and may choose to proceed without the
Cities input. In my opinion that would look bad and shirk responsibility.
I believe that this issue needs to return to P&Z for action with testimony, if needed, along with the
stakeholders and planners in attendance.
Respectfully,
Bruce Jaffa
907-240-0362
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