HomeMy WebLinkAbout08112021 Planning & Zoning LAYDOWN - Draft Res 21-014210811 WS LAYDOWN - Draft Res 21-014
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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 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 §7.05125, 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
day of Septemer 2021.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
Brenda Ballou, MMC
City Clerk
(City Seal)
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Cindy L. Ecklund, Chair
67
P&Z Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: September , 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.
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 the parcels owned by the City of
Seward and Steve Leirer 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. "
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
Comment
N/A
Building Department
X
Fire Department
X
Public Works
Department
I'm concerned about the hazard
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
The three parcels being requested for acquisition do not interfere with the City's Snow
Dump site off of Dieckgraeff Road.
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 7.05.125, 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.