Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07062021 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission SpebieJ-Meeting Minutes July 6, 2021 Volume 7, Page 472 p CALL TO ORDER The July 6, 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 Vanessa Verhey led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding,and Clare Sullivan Gary Seese Vanessa Verhey Tom Swann Craig Ambrosiani Excused—Nathaniel Charbonneau Absent—None Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Jackie C. Wilde, Community Development Director Courtney Bringhurst, City Planner CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Citizen Carol Griswold asked the commission to consider postponing the Municipal Land Use Plan to have another work session. She also asked that the commission postpone the Title 15 Definitions for housing. Griswold thanked the commission for being in attendance on this holiday, but asked them to consider taking a break during the summer months,it might help the Community Development department catch up, and allow for more public participation. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Swann/Sullivan) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Swann recommend postponing Resolution 2021-016 to the September 7, 2021 regular meeting. Motion Passed AYES: Swann, Verhey, Seese, Sullivan, Ecklund NOES: none May 4,2021 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved on the consent agenda May 20,2021 Special Meeting Minutes were approved on the consent agenda City of Sewar4 Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Speeiwlifeeting Minutes July 6, 2021 Volume 7, Page 473 SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Administration Report Community Development Director Jackie Wilde introduced the new City Manager, Janette Bower. Wilde asked the Commission to bear with the Community Development department as they are always working with two different hats and have many projects on their plates. She also brought up the point that the work session packets and meeting packets for the Commission are very large, and that the Community Development department wants to move away from printed copies. Community Development will make a Facebook page for the community so that they can have more access to what is going on. Other Reports, Announcements, and Presentations—None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing: Resolution 2021-014 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,T1N,R1W,Seward Meridian SW,that point known as the Seward Airport, Physical Location,2310 Airport Road Chair Ecklund opened public hearing on this item. Applicant Comments: Brian from PDC engineers presented the Airport ROW Acquisition Plat project. The project and acquisitions of parcel are meant to make the airport safer and prevent further damage from weather and flooding. Janel Brickman from the DOT didn't have anything to add about the project. Stephanie Pressley from the flood board didn't have anything to add. Bob Keiner from the DOT didn't have anything to add. Comments from the public: Leif Olsen said that he has property next to the airport and expressed that he was concerned about City ofSewarca Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission£pecia-Meeting Minutes July 6, 2021 Volume 7, Page 474 trees being cut down and a pond being filled in. Carol Griswold said that the Resolution should be postponed because she felt like she had not received enough notice. She also expressed concerns that the changes to the airport would create harmful effects to the surrounding wildlife and vegetation. She also expressed that the change would prevent further adequate use of the airport. She did not support this Resolution. Bob Lindville just heard about the Airport Replat today. He expressed to the Commission that this Airport ROW Acquisition Plat would negatively affect Seward by limiting the types of aircraft that can come into Seward. Lindville also brought up that the airport is one of the best bird habitats in the area, and that it would cause the river to fill up on this side of the bay. Lindville said that what the residents of Seward had wanted was to build up the existing runway. Lindville urged the Commission to postponed the Resolution and have the City discuss again the possibility of taking over the airport. He stated that if the Commission lets this go through that it will have a huge negative effect economically and environmentally on Seward. Response from applicant: Brian from PDC mentioned that they had missed the first citizen's comments. Chair Ecklund restated the questions that Leif Olsen had asked. Brian responded to the concerns, stating that the pond would not be filled in, and that the Airport project has been in process since 2014. They have been trying to involve the public as much as they can. They only had to submit the project details of the ROW Acquisition Plat to the City of Seward because one of the parcels that they wish to acquire is owned by the City of Seward. Normally, the DOT would just go to the separate land owners and get the needed permitting. An environmental study had been done on the property and no significant impact was discovered.The DOT has information on their website for the public, and there are opportunities for the public to ask questions. Motion (Ambrosiani/Swann) Resolution 2021-014 Recommending City Council and 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, T1N, R1W, Seward Meridian SW, that point known as the Seward Airport, Physical Location, 2310 Airport Road Chair Ecklund closed public hearing and asked for the staff report. Wilde stated that the preliminary plat was submitted by the DOT. The plats that are being acquired are Parcel 1, 4, and 5. Wilde read the description of the project from the Agenda Statement for City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission - tut-Meeting Minutes July 6, 2021 Volume 7, Page 475 Resolution 2021-014. Wilde stated that letters had been sent to all property owners and a sign was111 posted on the property. Ambrosiani wanted to verify if Runway 16/34 would be extended and asked what would happen to Runway 13/31. Brian from the PDC explained that the shorter runway would be lengthened to 3300ft,and Runway 13/31 would be closed. Ambrosiani asked if there would be opportunities to expand the airport in the future. Brian explained that there was an option in the future to extend the runway. Ambrosiani asked if it would impact the current MediEvac planes that are currently coming in,and how much runway a King Air needs to land. Brian said that they had contacted all of the MediEvac flight companies that use the Seward Airport, and all of them said they would be able to use the proposed runway. Brian also clarified that a King Air does not need length to land, it would be to take off, but that they can take off within the length that would be provided. Swann and Seese had no comment. Sullivan asked DOT about the different companies that may want to provide flight service into Seward, such as Kenai Air.Brian said that he had not been approached by any companies as of right now that were interested in starting flight service to or from Seward. Verhey asked Brian of the DOT what the website was where citizens could find out more information. Janelle Brickman from the DOT provided the website address for everyone in attendance. Ecklund mentioned that the Port and Commerce board had been involved with the Airport project in the past, and asked Wilde if they had been notified of this ROW Acquisition Plat. Wilde responded that since this was a preliminary replat, that it did not involve the Port and Commerce, and that they were currently in a hiatus. Ecklund asked the project team if there was a rush to approve the Preliminary Replat. Brian responded that they would need all the approvals at least 4 months before they want to begin construction, which would be the summer of 2022. Ecklund asked Wilde when the Port and Commerce board would come off of their hiatus because she would prefer that they could be more involved in this Resolution before the Commission decided one way or the other. She also expressed confusion as to why the DOT could bring in a bunch of rocks and adjust Runway 16/34, but could not do that for Runway 13/31. Swann commented that this Airport project has been a 10-year project, and that they have taken into consideration the needs of Seward and the funding available to create the best possible solution. Swann expressed that he feels like the DOT and other engineers on the project have really put a lot of thought and work into this project, and that they have gone through the process of involving the public. Swann was in favor of approving the resolution. Ecklund expressed that she would still be in favor of postponing the item and waiting for the Port and Commerce Board to reconvene so that they could be involved in the process. Swann asked if there was a way to move this Resolution forward,but still allow for public Comments and Port of Commerce involvement when the Resolution went before the City Council. Brian clarified that in order to move forward with the ROW for the Airport project, they would need the City's approval much sooner than September, which was what was currently being discussed by the Commission. He stated that if the Commission postponed the resolution tonight,that it would delay the project. Motion (Ecklund/Sullivan) Postpone Resolution 2021-014 to the September 7,2021 regular meeting Swann mentioned that the Port and Commerce board is mainly meant to provide feedback for the City Council,and that the main purpose of the Planning and Zoning Commission was to decide if City of Seward Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission,SpeeialMeeting Minutes July 6,2021 Volume 7, Page 476 the City owned parcel was appropriate to allow the ROW,not whether the entire project was viable. Ambrosiani expressed that he did not feel like he had enough information to decide at this time. Motion Passed AYES: Seese, Sullivan,Ambrosiani Verhey, Ecklund NOES: Swann Resolution 2021-015 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, Granting a conditional Use Permit to Jarad Groom to Operate a Boat Repair and Boat and RV Storage Business on Lot AT, Forest Acres Subdivision, Located at 2607 Dimond Blvd; within a Rural Residential Zoning District. Chair Ecklund opened public hearing on this item. Carol Griswold stated that the need for housing is more important than for a location to store and repair boats. She said that the lot is zoned as RR and that it should be reserved for single family homes. 111 Motion (Swann/Verhey) Resolution 2021-015 Granting a conditional Use Permit to Jarad Groom to Operate a Boat Repair and Boat and RV Storage Business on Lot AT, Forest Acres Subdivision, Located at 2607 Dimond Blvd; within a Rural Residential Zoning District. Chair Ecklund closed public hearing and asked for the staff report. Wilde read the description of this CUP from the P&Z Agenda Statement and Resolution. Swann stated that he felt like we had enough information about the property off of Dieckgraff road currently zoned at Resource Management to rezone them as Auto Commercial, and that this property is right next to that property. He also stated that he felt like the property values to the south would be affected. He also stated that the current houses in the neighborhood with large garages were very different from a full-on boat yard storage. Sullivan said that she didn't feel like there would be any issues with allowing this CUP. Seese stated that the lot was small enough that it would naturally limit how many boats could be put on the property. Seese stated that it was close enough to another property doing running a similar business that he didn't see that there would be any issues with approving the CUP.Ambrosiani asked why the Planning and Zoning Commission was looking at this CUP if the Land Use Table didn't even list a CUP as an option for this Zoning District. Wilde said that the applicant could apply for a rezone, but that would create spot zoning, so the CUP would maintain the nature of the current zoning. Plus,as the Commission is scheduled to review the Land Use Table, it shows them a situation where a change to the Land Use Table City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission9peeird Meeting Minutes July 6, 2021 Volume 7, Page 477 might be necessary to address these discrepancies. Ecklund brought up the point that the Commission would be discussing the Land Use Table and making changes in the next few work sessions, and that they could specifically look at this request during those changes. Swann stated that he felt like as the parcel was currently zoned,he did not feel like the Commission could move forward with the Resolution, but that if the Commission could discuss the option for rezone and then review the CUP again. Ambrosiani stated that there are boats being parked in town because there are not enough places for boat storage, so there is a definite need for specific areas where boats can be stored. Swann made a motion to postpone Resolution 2021-015 to an uncertain date. Commissioner Ambrosiani seconded the motion. Motion (Swann/Ambrosiani) Postpone Resolution 2021-015 to a date uncertain. Swann stated that this would give the commission the ability to review and update the Land Uses Allowed Table. Wilde stated that they would work with applicant regarding the code change process Motion Passed AYES: Sullivan, Swann, Ambrosiani, Verhey, Ecklund NOES: Seese UNFINISHED BUSINESS-None NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2021-012 of the Planning And Zoning Commission of the City of Seward,Alaska, Recommending the City Council amend portions of Sward City code 15.10.140 Definitions and 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed to change, update, and accommodate the wishes of the public. Motion (Ambrosiani/Sullivan) Resolution 2021-012 Recommending the City Council amend portions of Sward City code 15.10.140 Definitions and 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed to change, update, and accommodate the wishes of the public. Motion (Swann/Sullivan) Amend Resolution 2021-012 to read as follows City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Special Meeting Minutes July 6, 2021 Volume 7, Page 478 Swann made a motion to amend Resolution 2021-012 through "Wordy Amendments" as follows: Add to 44 under housing unit---substance abuse treatment facility A facility for the purposes of temporary or long-term inpatient treatment of victims of alcohol or drug use or addiction. Page 9 "Hosted Lodging unit" An owner occupied single-family residential dwelling where the owner resides sleeps at the dwelling unit while it is being rented. A room or group of rooms in which sleeping accommodations are furnished for compensation and-meals or other services may be furnished by the owner or operator to any individual not a family member. A hosted lodging is limited to a home occupation within an owner-occupied dwelling which is the owner's principal place of residence and to the rental of not more than 50 percent of the bedrooms to a maximum of five. Page 10 add back (4) Within single and two-family residential districts, lodging is limited to a home occupation within an owner-occupied dwelling which is the owner's principal place of residence and to the rental of not more than 50 percent of the bedrooms to a maximum of five. Page 11 #7 remove A Motion Passed AYES: Sullivan, Seese, Swann,Ambrosinai, Verhey, Ecklund NOES: Main Motion Passed AYES: Sullivan, Seese, Swann,Ambrosiani, Verhey, Ecklund NOES: NEW BUSINESS Discuss Developer Reimbursement Program in relation to Philip Zimmerman and Larry Harmon's application Community Development is seeking the Planning and Zoning Commission's approval for the City Manager to move forward with Developer Reimbursement for developers to construct utility infrastructure for future housing developments in Seward. Chair Ecklund confirmed with Wilde that the specific development projects had already been approved by Planning and Zoning. Wilde confirmed that they had. Motion (Sullivan/Seese) Approval of sending a memo to the City Manager that the Developer Reimbursement applications for Phil Zimmerman and Larry Harmon are viable projects. Sullivan asked what the Developer Reimbursement program entails. Wilde explained that the developer would pay for the construction costs to put in utilities, and the City would reimburse City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission SPeeial Meeting Minutes July 6, 2021 Volume 7, Page 479 them for 50%of those costs. Motion Passed AYES: Sullivan, Seese, Swann,Ambrosiani, Verhey, Ecklund NOES: Commission set the July 20,2021 work session at 5:30 pm with topics of: "Continue review of the 2021 Municipal Land Use Plan DRAFT""Start review of the Land Use Table and Definitions. In conjunction with the uses of Light and Heavy Manufacturing" COMMISSION COMMENTS Verhey said that she felt like they had accomplished a lot in the meeting,and that she was appreciative of the work that Community Development does. Sullivan agreed. Seese thanked staff Swann had no comment Ambrosiani had no comment. Ecklund thanked Community Development for their assistance and support. She also thanked the public for their participation. CITIZEN COMMENTS Bob Linville thanked the Planning and Zoning Commission for their work. He said that it was hard as a member of the public to sit in the crowd and not be able to make comments while the meeting was in progress. He clarified some points about the Airport project, stating that it was not just extending the small runway, but putting in a whole new runway. Linville stated that there were flight companies in Kenai that wanted to fly to Seward,but would not because the runway was not long enough. He stated that the use of the Airport is growing, and that the DOT should consider making the airport more capable for the expanded growth. COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS— Commissioner's thanked Bob Linville for his comments. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m. City of Seward, Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Sp Gal Meeting Minutes July 6, 2021 Volume 7, Page 480 L.• ___ _ ) ______i - c. ct d Jackie . ilde Cindy L. EC and Community Development Director Chair (City• ,sfi'; .z,, a : • t SEAL 1 0 i. i 1. S..,F ,OF A '..•' ...........