HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES2023-013 Amending City Code Sponsored by: Staff
Public Hearing: May 9,2023
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2023-013
' A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SEWARD, RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL
AMEND PORTIONS OF SEWARD CITY CODE; 15.10.140(b)
DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO BUNKHOUSE, LOT, AND LONG-
TERM RENTAL; 15.10.222 DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS TABLE,
UPDATING THE MINIMUM BUILDABLE LOT SIZE FOR SINGLE-AND
TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS, AND ADDING
TABLE NOTES FOR LOT FRONTAGE; AND 15.10.226 LAND USES
ALLOWED TABLE ADDING LONG-TERM RENTAL, AND CHANGING
THE OUTRIGHT USE OF DORMITORIES IN THE OFFICE
RESIDENTIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ZONING DISTRICT TO
REQUIRE CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2023 the City Council approved the Planning and Zoning
Commission's priorities which included,"Make recommended updates to Title 15"; and
WHEREAS, according to Seward City Code 15.01.035, the Planning and Zoning
Commission by its own motion may recommend amendments to Title 15 to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, recent development within Seward has highlighted areas of Title 15 that
require additional clarification and/or regulations; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the community to periodically review and update
the City zoning code to reflect community changes and needs; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission held work session on November 14
and December 20, 2022 and April 18, 2023 to discuss these proposed changes to Title 15.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning
Commission that:
Section 1.The Commission recommends Ordinance 2023-XXX attached and incorporated
herein by reference, be forwarded to City Council for approval.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
Seward Planning and Zoning Commission
Resolution No. 2023-013
Page 2 of 2
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PASSED AND APPROVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission this 9th
day of May,2023.
THE CI F SEWARD,ALASKA
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AYES: Charbonneau,Ulman,Hornseth,Monaco,Verhey, Sullivan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Staggs
ABSTAIN: None
VACANT: None
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
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Planning and Zoning Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: May 9, 2023
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
Through: Jason Bickling, Community Development Director
From: Courtney Bringhurst, Planner
Agenda Item: Resolution 2023-013: Recommending the City Council Amend Portions of
Seward City Code; 15.10.140(b) Definitions, Pertaining to Bunkhouse, Lot,
and Long-term Rental; 15.10.222 Development Requirements Table,
Updating the Minimum Buildable Lot Size for Single- and Two-Family
Residential Zoning Districts, and Adding Table Notes for Lot Frontage; and
15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table, Adding Long-term Rental, and
Changing the Outright Use of Dormitories in the Office Residential and
Institutional Zoning District to Require Conditional Use Permits
Background and justification:
According to §15.01.035, the Planning and Zoning Commission by its own motion may recommend
amendments to Title 15 to the City Council.
Additionally, on February 27, 2023, the City Council approved the Planning and Zoning
Commission's 2023 priorities, which included "make recommended updates to Title 15."
Recent discussions regarding short-term rentals brought up the need to define long-term rental and
add that use to the Land Uses Allowed Table.
On November 15, 2022 the Commission held a work session to discuss the wording for a definition
of long-term rentals.
Developments over the past year within Seward have also highlighted various portions of the
development requirements within Seward City Code that lack necessary specifications and/or
regulations.
On December 20, 2022 the Commission held a work session to discuss terminology and
requirements regarding lot frontages and lot widths. An additional work session was held on April
18, 2023 to discuss proposed amendments to Title 15, and to discuss the definition and
requirements for bunkhouses and dormitories.
In summary, the effect of this legislation is as follows:
• Removes language from the definition of bunkhouse that restricts its use to a certain type of
employee
• Adds a definition for flag lot and lot frontage.
• Specifies how lot frontage will be measured.
• Specifies how lot width will be measured for cul-de-sac lots and flag lots.
• Adds a definition for a long-term rental dwelling.
• Corrects the Development Requirements Table to reflect the minimum lot size allowed in R1
and R2 that has been stated in the Table Notes for some time.
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• Clarifies language describing lot size and lot frontage requirements for the south and north
portion of the city. No requirements were changed.
• Adds lot size and lot frontage requirements for cul-de-sac lots and flag lots.
• Changes the outright use of dormitory in the Office Residential and Institutional Zoning
Districts to require Conditional Use permits in the Land Uses Allowed Table.
• Adds long-term rental to the Land Uses Allowed Table.
Intent:
To provide a recommendation to City Council to update Seward City Code Title 15 definitions,
development requirements, and the land uses allowed.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive 3.2.1.1"Manage land use to facilitate economic development while maintaining
Plan: the historic, small town character of Seward"
• "Raise public awareness of development requirements in each zoning
district."
Strategic Plan:
Other:
Recommendation
Community Development Department staff recommends approval of Resolution 2023-013
recommending the City Council amend portions of Seward City Code; 15.10.140(b) Definitions,
Pertaining to Bunkhouse, Lot, and Long-term Rental; 15.10.222 Development Requirements Table,
Updating the Minimum Buildable Lot Size for Single- and Two-Family Residential Zoning Districts,
and Adding Table Notes for Lot Frontage; and 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table, Adding Long-
term Rental, and Changing the Outright Use of Dormitories in the Office Residential and
Institutional Zoning District to Require Conditional Use Permits
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