HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd2022-014 Rezone Exit Glacier Guides Property Sponsored by: Bower
Introduction: September 12, 2022
Public Hearing: September 26, 2022
Enactment: September 26, 2022
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2022-014
AN ORDINANCE OF THE SEWARD CITY COUNCIL, AMENDING THE
LAND USE PLAN AND REZONING LOTS 21-23, BLOCK 10 OF
ORIGINAL TOWNSITE OF SEWARD LAUBNER ADDITION,WITH THE
PHYSICAL ADDRESS OF 1104 & 1100 SECOND AVE, FROM URBAN
RESIDENTIAL(UR)ZONING DISTRICT TO AUTO COMMERCIAL(AC)
ZONING DISTRICT
WHEREAS, on August 2, 2022 the Planning and Zoning Commission approved
Resolution 2022-017 recommending City Council approval of the Land Use Amendment to rezone
Lots 21-23, Block 10, Original Townsite of Seward Laubner Addition, from Urban Residential
(UR)to Auto Commercial (AC); and
WHEREAS, the physical location of these two lots are 1104 & 1100 Second Ave; and
WHEREAS, the current use of the property as a parking lot is not required by City Code
for the operation of the business owned by Exit Glacier Guides Inc. located at 1013 Third Ave;
and
WHEREAS, the applicant intends to stop the current use of 1104 & 1100 Second Ave as
a parking lot regardless of the determination of this public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the current zoning for Lots 21-23 is Urban Residential (UR), which is
restrictive to primarily residential development and does not allow for more diverse economic
development; and
WHEREAS, the proposed rezone to Auto Commercial (AC) would allow more options
for economic development as well as housing development; and
WHEREAS, the size of the land being rezoned is approximately one-fifth of an acre; and
WHEREAS, Seward City Code 15.01.035(b)(3) allows the rezone of land less than one
acre when the land is contiguous to the requested zoning district; and
WHEREAS, the properties adjacent to the east of the proposed rezone are zoned Auto
Commercial (AC) and have been designated as such since 1985; and
WHEREAS,the public notification process was complied with and the appropriate public
hearing as required by Seward City Code § 15.01.040.
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2022-014
NOW, THEREFORE,THE CITY OF SEWARD ORDAINS that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby authorizes the amendment of the official
Zoning Map of the City of Seward by amending the zoning designation of Lots 21-23, Block 10
of Original Townsite of Seward Laubner Addition, with the Physical Address of 1104 & 1100
Second Ave, from Urban Residential (UR) Zoning District to Auto Commercial (AC) Zoning
District.
Section 2.The Seward City Council further amends the official Land Use Map of the City
of Seward by changing the land use designation of Lots 21-23, Block 10 of Original Townsite of
Seward Laubner Addition, with the Physical Address of 1104 & 1100 Second Ave, from Urban
Residential (UR)Zoning District to Auto Commercial (AC) Zoning District.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect ten(10) days following its enactment.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
this 26th day of September, 2022.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
Sue McClure,Vice Mayor
AYES: Calhoon, Wells, Casagranda, DeMoss, Osenga, McClure
NOES: None
ABSENT: Terry
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Kris Peck
Acting City Clerk
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City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: September 12, 2022
To: City Council
Through: Janette Bower, City Manager
From: Jason Bickling, Community Development Director
Agenda Item: Ordinance 2022-014: Amending the Land Use Plan and Rezoning Lots 21-23,
Block 10 of Original Townsite of Seward Laubner Addition, with the Physical
Address of 1104 & 1100 Second Ave, from Urban Residential (UR) Zoning
District to Auto Commercial (AC) Zoning District
Background and justification:
The Seward Planning and Zoning Commission approved Resolution 2022-017 on August 2, 2022,
recommending City Council approval to amend the Land Use Plan and Rezone Original Townsite of
Seward Laubner Addition, Lots 21-23, Block 10 from an Urban Residential (UR) Zoning District to an
Auto Commercial (AC) Zoning District. These lots are located at 1104 & 1100 Second Ave.
Exit Glacier Guides Inc. own these two properties,which currently are vacant and used as a parking
lot. Exit Glacier Guides Inc. received Conditional Use Permit 2019-04 to use the land as a parking lot
for their business located at 1013 Third Ave. Providing a parking lot was not required for them to
operate their business, but Exit Glacier Guides Inc. wanted to do their part to ease the traffic
situation on the streets surrounding their business.
During the past three years, Exit Glacier Guides Inc. has discovered that the majority of their clients
do not drive to their business to go on activities, and those that do can easily park across the street
in City paid parking. They have also discovered that their parking lot is being primarily used by
individuals exploring the harbor, eating at Firebrand, or eating at Red's.
Since these vacant parcels are not serving their intended use, the applicant plans to stop using the
parcels as a parking lot and to develop them, regardless of the determination of this public hearing.
In order to provide the most economic benefit to the City of Seward, the applicant hopes to rezone
Lots 21-23 to a Zoning District that would be more conducive to business, but also not limit the
potential for housing.
According to the Seward Land Uses Allowed Table §15.10.226, the Urban Residential Zoning District
does not allow any type of physical, on site business retail sales, service or office space. Auto
Commercial allows a wide variety of business development.
The development of housing is also broader in the Auto Commercial Zoning District. All the same
type of housing allowed in the Urban Residential Zoning District is allowed in the Auto Commercial
Zoning District except a group home. However,Auto Commercial allows additional dwelling options
such as apartments in a commercial building, studio apartments, and a bunkhouse.
Seward City Code §15.01.035(b)(3) allows the rezone of land less than one acre when the land is
contiguous to the requested zoning district. The proposed rezone sits adjacent to an Auto
Commercial Zoning District to the east.
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Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Plan: Vol 1, Chapter 2.2.11 — "Promote infill development by encouraging and
promoting construction on vacant sites in areas of the City which are already
established."
Vol 1, Chapter 3.2.1 —"Promote residential and commercial development within
the City of Seward and its vicinity in accordance with community values."
Vol 1, Chapter 3.1.1.4 — "Support private sector business, employment, and
programs."
• "Support and encourage the growth of business."
Strategic Plan: "Adjust local development regulations, where appropriate, to encourage
development that is consistent with our economic base vision"(Page 5).
Other:
Certification of Funds
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ 0
This legislation (✓):
Creates revenue in the amount of: $
Creates expenditure in amount of: $
Creates a savings in the amount of: $
✓ Has no fiscal impact
Funds are (✓):
Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
✓ Not applicable
Finance Signature: �rtv
Attorney Review
✓ Yes Attorney Signature:
Not applicable Comments:
Administration Recommendation
e✓ Adopt Ordinance
Other:
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