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Home My WebLink AboutRES2023-068 Fourth of July Beach Rezone to Park Sponsored by: Regis CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2023-068 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, UPDATING THE MUNICIPAL LANDS INVENTORY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE AND DESIGNATE PARKING AND ACCESS AT THE FOURTH OF JULY BEACH AND PLAT THE AREA INTO ONE PARCEL AND REZONE TO PARK WHEREAS,the Seward City Code §2.30.225.b states that"the Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council regarding the Seward Zoning Code, Seward Comprehensive Plan, Official Zoning Map, Official Land Use Plan Map, and other duties as requested by the City Council"; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public work session on January 24, 2023 to discuss ways to improve the parking and access at the Fourth of July Beach; and WHEREAS, on April 4, 2023, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved Resolution 2023-008 with the below stated recommendations for the Fourth of July Creek Beach area; and WHEREAS,the Short-term Action Items on the 2022 Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan recommends maintaining public access to Fourth of July Beach, adding signage, dedicated parking spaces for RV's, and platting the area into one parcel; and WHEREAS,Fourth of July beach is a very popular recreational beach for visitors and locals year-round; and WHEREAS, the existing parking area is at an elevation that often floods and is inaccessible, and WHEREAS, the parking area could be made more accessible year-round if fill was brought in to raise the elevation of the existing parking area; and WHEREAS,the number of visitors frequenting the beach during the summer months exceeds the space in the existing parking area; and WHEREAS, additional parking could be designated north of the lower parking lot along the fence west of Sorrel Road, and on the northern side of Sorrel Road on Lot 4A-4, CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2023-068 Block 7, by placing signage and boulders around the boundary; and WHEREAS, if platting action is taken in the future to divide the existing Lot 4A-4, Block 7, a lot should be created for the specific use of parking for Fourth of July Beach; and WHEREAS,Delphin Street by plat is the designated public right-of-way(ROW) and primary access to Fourth of July Beach,but is not adequately maintained year-round; and WHEREAS,Olga Street is maintained more regularly than Delphin Street,and should be designated as a public ROW and the primary access to Fourth of July Beach by platting action; and WHEREAS, the coast guard currently leases parcel 14534034 and 14534035 for an emergency response tower and has plans to continue those leases in perpetuity; and WHEREAS, the long term plan for the use of the Fourth of July Beach area is as a recreational area; and WHEREAS, the City should plat those parcels as part of a larger parcel that would encompass all of Fourth of July Beach within City limits; and WHEREAS, when a larger parcel has been platted specifically for Fourth of July Beach and its parking, that parcel should be rezoned to Park to protect the use of Fourth of July Beach as a recreational area; and WHEREAS, protecting the beach now for public recreation by platting and rezoning from Industrial to Park is even more crucial as the surrounding area develops; and WHEREAS, officially naming Parks is important to the public, Fourth of July Beach should be officially named, Fourth of July Beach Park. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1.The Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan will be updated with the following recommendations: a) Raise and level the current parking space with fill b) Designate additional parking north of the lower parking lot along the fence west of Sorrel Road, and on Lot 4A-4, Block 7 located on the northern side of Sorrel Road CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2023-068 (place signage, boulders, painted lines, etc.) c) Designate Olga Street through platting action as the primary right-of-way access to Fourth of July Beach d) Create a new lot on Lot 4A-4, Block 7 through platting action that will be used solely as parking for Fourth of July Beach e) Create one lot through platting action that encompasses the portion of land that comprises Fourth of July Beach and rezone as Park Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska this 12th day of June, 2023. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA Sue McClure, Mayor AYES: Finch, Osenga, Calhoon, Wells, Barnwell, DeMoss, McClure NOES: None ABSENT: None �� ABSTAIN: None ��•� OF SEh •,, ATTEST: : • =o roc O SEAL • - • Peck _-.- 46 City Clerk KA2 Cog.a.1 bed alt's(NE1,19,�f�N?-.�: GT'pUDQpUT% CITY Cc-e-K �''1,-12 OFA\-tos%. (City Seal) �-tile/moo- City Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: June 12, 2023 To: City Council Through: Norm Regis, Acting City Manager From: Jason Bickling, Community Development Director Subject: Resolution 2023-068: Updating the Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan to Include Recommendations to Improve and Designate Parking and Access at the Fourth of July Beach and Plat the Area into one Parcel and Rezone to Park Background and justification: On January 24, 2023, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public work session to discuss ways to improve the parking and accessibility at the Fourth of July Beach. The public and Commissioners voiced their concerns on the accessibility of the current parking area. The lower elevation of this parking area causes it to fill with water at various times of the year, making it difficult or impossible to use. Also, the size of the parking area is insufficient to meet the excessive use the area receives during the summer months. The Commission recommended that gravel and fill be brought in to raise and level the elevation of the parking area with Sorrel Road, and to designate additional parking on the parcel of land to the north of Sorrel Road (see the attached map for reference). It is recommended to designate this additional parking area by creating a separate parcel through platting action. In the meantime, the area can be designated for parking by putting up signage and marking the area with boulders and/or paint. It was also noted at the meeting that the official right-of-way (ROW) to access the Fourth of July Beach, as designated by plat, is Delphin Street. However, this road is not consistently maintained throughout the year. Consequently, visitors to Fourth of July Beach primarily use Olga Street, which is currently platted as a private service road. The Commission recommended that either Olga Street be officially designated as a public ROW, or Delphin Street should be better maintained. Currently, the area within City limits comprising the Fourth of July Beach is made up of various parcels. The Commission recommends platting the Fourth of July Beach area into one parcel and then rezoning it as a Park in order to preserve its use as a recreational area. On April 4, 2023 the Planning and Zoning Commission approved Resolution 2023-008, which included recommendation to improve and designate parking and access at the Fourth of July Beach and to plat the area into one parcel and rezone to Park. Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information This legislation is consistent with (citation listed): Comprehensive Plan: 3.6.1.1 —"Improve existing and develop additional recreational infrastructure • Identify, protect, and preserve scenic and natural areas for recreational enjoyment 3.6.1.2 • Maintain public access to beaches by continuing City ownership of tidelands and upland access points • Develop an acquisition strategy to identify and secure sufficient and suitable public lands for parks, sports fields, greenbelts, open space, trails, trailhead parking and other public facilities, including easements to access these public lands • Ensure that Municipal land acquired for or converted to long-term or permanent-park or recreational uses are officially dedicated as park land Strategic Plan: N/A 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: $ x Has no fiscal impact Funds are (✓): Budgeted Line item(s): Not budgeted x Not applicable Fund Balance Information Affected Fund (✓): General SMIC Electric Wastewater Boat Harbor Parking F1 Water Healthcare Motor Pool Other Note: amounts are unaudited Fund Balance/Net position — unrestricted/unassigned $ Available Unrestricted Cash Balance: $ Finance Director Signature: No financial impact Attorney Review RxYes Attorney Signature: Not applicable Comments: Administration Recommendation xeApprove Resolution Other: