HomeMy WebLinkAbout07162024 Planning & Zoning Work Session PacketPlanning & Zoning Commission
Work Session Packet
Work Session
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Council Chambers, City Hall
6: 00 p.m.
The City of Seward, Alaska
SEWARD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION AGENDA
July 16, 2024
Carol Griswold
Chair
Term February, 2027
Brenan Hornseth
Vice Chair
Term February, 2025
Nathaniel Charbonneau
Commissioner
Term February, 2027
Vanessa Verhey
Commissioner
Term February, 2026
Sean Ulman
Commissioner
Term February, 2025
Rhonda Hubbard
Commissioner
Term February, 2025
Vacant
Commissioner
Term February, 2026
Daniel Meuninck
Community
Development Director
Courtney Bringhurst
City Planner
Clara Brown
Executive Planning
Assistant
Kris Peck
City Clerk
6:00 p.m.
1) CALL TO ORDER
2) STAFF COMMENTS
3) DISCUSSION ITEMS
Council Chambers
a. Clarifying Marijuana Establishment in City Code 4
b. Comprehensive Plan update process 19
4) ADJOURNMENT
2
OUTCOME GOALS
FOR WORK SESSION
1) Review proposed changes to city code meant to help clarify the current
regulations for marijuana establishments. No new regulations are being
added and no regulations are being removed with this proposed legislation.
2) Discuss the Comprehensive Plan update, specifically the plan format and the
categories that should be included in the plan, as well as the public
engagement process and the input the Commission hopes to gather from the
public.
BACKGROUND:
Clarifying Marijuana Establishments in City Code
On June 18t'', 2024, the Planning and Zoning Commission had a work session to
discuss marijuana establishment regulations within the city code. While the
Commission received lots of public input regarding current and proposed
regulations, the Commission determined that the current regulations in code
were not clear nor easy to understand. So, the Commission recommended that as
a first step, the staff clean up the current language and put marijuana
establishments on the land uses allowed table where code currently allowed
them. No new regulations are being added and no regulations are being
removed. This proposed code change is simply clarifying the current marijuana
establishment regulations in the city code.
Comprehensive Plan Update
The city is in the very early stages of updating the Seward Comprehensive Plan.
This work session will primarily focus on getting commissioner and public input
on a new format for the plan, the categories that should be included in the plan,
and the process for getting public engagement.
3
Clarifying Marijuana Establishments
in City Code
Sponsored: Planning and Zoning
Introduction: September XX, 2024
Public Hearing: September XX, 2024
Enactment: September XX, 2024
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE SEWARD CITY COUNCIL, AMENDING
SEWARD CITY CODE 15.10.226 — LAND USES ALLOWED TABLE,
MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENTS
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 City Council; 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 a work session on June 18,
2024, to review marijuana establishments in city code; and
WHEREAS, during that work session the Commission agreed that the current language
regulating marijuana establishments in code was difficult to understand; and
WHEREAS, the Commission recommended that city code be amended to make the
current regulations for marijuana establishments easier to understand; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes to code do not change the current regulations for
marijuana establishment; and
WHEREAS, placeholder; and
WHEREAS, placeholder; and
WHEREAS, placeholder; and
WHEREAS, on August 6, 2024 the Planning and Zoning Commission approved
Resolution 2024-XXX recommending City Council amend Title 15.10.226, clarifying marijuana
establishments in the land uses allowed table.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF SEWARD ORDAINS that:
Section 1. Seward City Code Title 15.10.226 is hereby amended to read as follows (new
language is in bolded italics and underlined, and deleted language is stricken):
54. Marijuana. Marijuana means "marijuana" as that term is defined in Alaska Statute
17.38.900 and any amendments thereto.
55. Marijuana establishment. Marijuana establishment means a marijuana cultivation
facility, a marijuana testing facility, a marijuana product manufacturing facility, or a
5
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
retail marijuana store as those terms are defined in AS 17.38.900 and any amendments
thereto.
a. Marijuana cultivation facility. Marijuana cultivation facility means an entity
registered to cultivate, prepare, and package marijuana and to sell marijuana to
retail marijuana stores, to marijuana product manufacturing facilities, and to other
marijuana cultivation facilities, but not to consumers.
1. Limited marijuana cultivation facility. A limited marijuana cultivation
facility has the privileges set forth at 3 AAC 305.405(a) and (b), and is
subject to the prohibitions at 3 AAC 306.405(c), except that it must have
fewer than 500 square feet under cultivation.
b. Marijuana product manufacturing facility. Marijuana product manufacturing
facility means an entity registered to purchase marijuana; manufacture, prepare,
and package marijuana products; and sell marijuana and marijuana products to
other marijuana product manufacturing facilities and to retail marijuana stores, but
not to consumers.
c. Marijuana testing facility. Marijuana testing facility means an entity registered to
analyze and certify the safety and potency of marijuana.
d. Retail marijuana store. Retail marijuana store means an entity registered to
purchase marijuana from marijuana cultivation facilities, to purchase marijuana
and marijuana products from marijuana product manufacturing facilities, and to
sell marijuana and marijuana products to consumers.
1. Onsite consumption. The act of ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise
introducing marijuana into the human body in a licensed retail marijuana store
or on the property on which the store is located.
56. Marijuana products. Marijuana products means concentrated marijuana products and
marijuana products that are comprised of marijuana and other ingredients and are
intended for use or consumption, such as, but not limited to, edible products,
ointments, and tinctures.
Section 2. Seward City Code Title 15.10.226 is hereby amended to read as follows (new
language is in bolded italics and underlined, and deleted language is stricken):
H. Marijuana establishments as defined in section 15.10.140.B.53 are allowed in accordance
with table 15.10.225 of this chapter subject to the following:
1. The facility owner or operator has submitted a license application to the State of
Alaska for the corresponding type of marijuana establishment prior to operation, and
maintains a current license from the state at all times the facility is in operation.
6
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
2. Marijuana establishments shall not to be located within 500 feet of the entrance of any
building where religious ceremonies are regularly held, a correctional facility,
recreational facility, park, or youth center licensed by the state or local government, or
within 1,000 feet of any school. The distance specified in this subsection must be
measured by the shortest pedestrian route from the public entrance of the building in
which the licensed premises would be located to the outer parcel boundaries of the
school, recreation or youth facility or to the main public entrance of the building in
which religious services are regularly held, or the correctional facility. The burden of
proof demonstrating that the facility meets the required separation distances is the
responsibility of the marijuana establishment owner or operator.
3 All marijuana establishments shall meet all other criteria in this Code and in Alaska
Statutes and Administrative Codes.
3. In this title, standard or limited marijuana cultivation facility meeting all other criteria
in this Code and in Alaska Statutes and Administrative Codes are classified as a
Greenhouse(s)/Commercial, except that a limited marijuana cultivation facility as an
accessory use secondary to a residence may be classified as a Home Occupation use.
4. In this title, a marijuana testing facility meeting all other criteria in this Code and in
Alaska Statutes and Administrative Codes is classified as an Office Business or
Professional use.
5. In this title, a marijuana product manufacturing facility or a marijuana concentrate
manufacturing facility using hazardous materials in the manufacturing process and
meeting all other criteria in this Code and in Alaska Statutes and Administrative Codes
is classified as a Manufacturing Heavy use. Facilities not using hazardous materials
in the manufacturing process are classified as a Manufacturing, Light use.
6. In this title, a retail marijuana store meeting all other criteria in this Code and in Alaska
Statutes and Administrative Codes is classified as a Business Retail Sales and Service
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
TABLE
Zoning District Designations
The following zoning district abbreviations are provided for information and interpretation:
RR =
Rural, very low density single-family residential
R1 =
Single-family, low density residential
R2 =
Single and two-family, medium density residential
R3 =
Single, two and multi -family, high density residential
UR =
Urban residential, a mix of residential uses and low impact home professional
offices
OR =
Office residential
AC =
Auto and neighborhood oriented, light commercial
HC =
Harbor commercial
CB =
Central business district - dense downtown commercial
I =
Industrial
RM =
Resource management - partially developable lands subject to floodplains and
steep slopes
INS =
Institutional, public, quasi -public uses
P =
Parks
Table 15.10.226. Land Uses Allowed
Key:
O — Use Permitted Outright
H — Home Occupation
C — Use Requires Conditional Use Permit
P — Use Requires Administrative Permit
Blank — Use Prohibited
8
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
R1
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Accessory building
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
0
0
0
Adult entertainment
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Agency, i.e., travel,
insurance, title, real
estate, etc.
O
O
O
O
O
Agriculture
0
Airport and related
services
0
C
Amusement or
recreation facility
0
0
0
Animal shelter
0
C
C
Antenna, personal
TV, satellite dish
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
0
0
Art gallery
O
O
O
O
O
Assemblages,
temporary large, i.e.,
circus, fair
PPPP
P
P
P
Attraction, permanent
major visitor
C
C
C
C
C
Auditorium
0
0
0
Auto repair, i.e.,
mechanic, glass
body, upholstery
C
0
Auto service/gas
station
0
0
0
Auto/RV sales and
rentals
0
0
0
Boat sales
0
0
0
Boat, commercial
building/fabrication
0
0
Boat, harbor/marina
C
CC
C
C
Boat, repair and
maintenance
0
0
0
C
9
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
R1
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Boat, storage
commercial
0
0
0
C
Bulk material, i.e.,
concrete, gravel,
sand, asphalt
C
C
Business, marine
retail sales and
service
O
O
O
O
C
Business, package
liquor
0
0
0
Business, retail sales
and service
O
O
O
O
Business, retail sales
and service, industrial
0
Campground,
municipal
C/P
C/P
C/P
C/P
Campground, camper
park, private
C/P
C/P
C/P
Campground,
employee
C/P
Car/boat wash
0
0
0
Cemetery
0
C
0
Center,
community/civic
0
0
C
C
Center, mariner's
O
O
O
O
Center, senior or
teen
CC
C
0
0
C
C
Child care, licensed
center
CC
0
0
0
C
Child care, licensed
home
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Church
C
C
C
C
C
C
O
O
O
0
Clinic, medical
O
O
O
O
0
Clubs,
fraternal/lodges/socia
1/ veterans
C
0
0
C
Cluster subdivision
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
10
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
R1
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Commercial
Communications
CCCC
C
C
tower less than 16
feet diameter or 75
feet in height
Commercial
Communications
tower 16 feet
diameter or greater
than 75 feet in height
C
C
C
Correctional/prison
facility
CC
C
C
Crematory
O
Docks/wharves,
industrial cargo
0
0
C
C
Dock, passenger
0
0
0
C
0
Drinking
C
C
C
establishment, i.e.,
bar, nightclub, lounge
Drive-in facility—
Fast food, banking,
etc.
CCCCC
Dwelling, apartment
in a commercial
building (limited to
one unit)
O
O
O
O
O
C
Dwelling, apartment
in a commercial
building (two or more
units)
0
0
C
C
Dwelling, apartment,
efficiency or
accessory
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Dwelling, apartment,
studio
CCCCC
C
Dwelling, attached
single-family, i.e.,
townhouse, row
CCCCCC
C
Dwelling,
condominium
CCCCCC
C
Dwelling, detached
single-family
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
C
C
11
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
Rl
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Dwelling, group
home
O
O
O
O
O
O
C
Dwelling, guest
house
0
0
C
Dwelling, multi-
family (3 or more
units)
CCCCCC
C
Dwelling, two-
family or duplex
O
O
O
O
O
C
C
Dwelling, watchman
0
C
or caretaker
Emergency services,
pub/vol; i.e., fire,
ambulance, rescue
C
CC
CC
C
0
C
00
C
0
Financial institution,
i.e., bank, S&L
C
0
0
Flea market, open air
retail other than
occasional
C
C
C
Fuels, bulk storage
and sales
C
Golf course
0
0
C
Golf driving range
0
0
0
0
C
Greenhouse/nursery
—Commercial
0
0
0
Grocery,
convenience store
CC
C
O
O
O
O
Grocery,
supermarket,
foodmart
0
0
Health club
C
C
O
O
O
Home occupation
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
0
Hospital
C
C
Housing, bunkhouse
C
C
C
Housing, dormitory
0
0
12
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
RI
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Housing, nursing,
retirement,
convalescent
C
C
C
Kennel, commercial,
musher or fancier
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Laundry, dry
cleaning
O
C
00
Library
0
0
0
0
Livestock, excluding
chickens and rabbits
P
P
Livestock, chickens
and rabbits
PPPPPPP
P
P
Lodging, B&B
H/P
H/P
H/P
H/P
H/P
O/P
O/P
O/P
O/P
Lodging, hostel
PP
P
P
P
P
Lodging, hotel,
motel, lodge, inn
C
0
C
C
Lodging, short-term
rental
H/P
H/P
H/P
H/P
H/P
PPP
P
Lumber
yard/building supply
C
0
C
Marijuana
O
O
O
establishment,
cultivation facility
Marijuana
HHHHHHHHHH
H
establishment,
limited cultivation
facility
Marijuana
C
establishment,
product
manufacturing
facility (hazardous
materials2
Marijuana
C
C
O
establishment,
product
manufacturin'
facility (non-
hazardous materials)
13
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
RI
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Marijuana
0
O
O
0
establishment, retail
store
Marijuana
O
O
O
O
establishment, retail
store with onsite
consumption
endorsement; indoor
Marijuana
0
0
0
0
establishment, retail
store with onsite
consumption
endorsement;
outdoor
Marijuana
O
0
O
O
0
establishment,
testing facili�
Manufacturing—
noxious, heavy
C
Manufacturing, light
fabrication, assembly
C
C
0
Merchant, transient
0
0
0
0
Mobile home park
C/P
Mobile home,
residential, not in
park
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Mobile home sales
0
0
Mobile medical unit
0
0
0
Mobile vendor
PPPPPPPPPP
P
Mortuary/funeral
home
0
0
0
Museum
C
0
0
0
0
0
Office, boat charter,
guide
0
0
0
0
0
C
Office, business or
professional
0
0
0
0
0
Office,
government/quasi-
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
14
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
RI
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
government
administration
Office,
mobile/temporary on
construction site
PPPPPPPPPP
P
P
P
Office, home,
professional
O
O
O
O
O
Parking lot
C
C
O
O
O
O
O
0
0
0
Personal services,
i.e., beauty, shoe,
tailor
O
O
O
O
Planned unit
development
C
C
C
C
C
C
Playground, public
tot lot
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
0
0
0
0
Railroad
C
C
C
C
Recreation,
commercial indoor,
i.e., bowling, skating
0
0
0
C
Recreation, outdoor,
i e , miniature golf
0
C
C
C
Recreation, shooting
range
C
C
C
Recycling center
C
C
0
C
Recycling, self-
service drop-off point
O
O
O
O
O
0
0
0
Rental, Long-term
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
C
C
Repair service, i.e.,
large appliance
C
C
0
Resource extraction,
commercial
subsurface, i.e.,
mining
C
C
C
Resource extraction,
commercial surface,
i.e., gravel
C
C
C
Resource extraction,
commercial timber
harvesting
C
C
15
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
R1
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Restaurant, food
service, catering,
brew pub
O
O
O
O
O
C
Rooming or
boarding house
O/P
0/P
O/P
O/P
Roving Vendor
P
P
PPP
P
P
P
PP
P
Salvage —auto,
wrecking, scrap,
junkyard
C
Sawmill or
lumbermill
C
C
School, college
C
C
C
School,
public/private
elementary/secondary
CCCCCCC
C
C
School, vocational
CO
0
C
0
C
Seafood processing,
i.e., canning,
rendering
C
C
C
C
Shop, i.e., welding,
sheetmetal, machine,
steel fab.
C
C
0
Shop, i.e., wood,
signs, cabinet,
upholstery
CC
O
C
0
Shopping center
(mall)
C
C
Solid waste disposal,
i.e., baler, transfer,
landfill
C
C
C
Storage, container
PP
P
PO
P
Storage, explosives
P
Storage, outdoor,
yard,
material/equipment
C
0
0
C
Storage, self service
0
0
0
0
Storage, warehouse
and distribution
0
0
0
C
C
16
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
R1
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Studio,
radio/television
C
0
0
0
0
C
Tanks, aboveground
associated with
service station
C
C
0
Taxidermy
O
O
O
O
O
Terminal, i.e., bus,
truck, freight
0
C
0
C
Terminal,
marine/boat
passenger
O
C
0
0
C
Theater, concert,
movie
0
0
Tool/equipment
rental
0
0
Temporary structure
PPPPPPPPPP
Utility facility,
public electric, water,
sewer, etc.
C
C
C
C
C
C
O
O
O
O
0
0
Vehicle impound lot
0
0
Vending machine
0
0
C
repair, storage
Veterinary hospital
C
C
C
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA the
23rd day of September, 2024.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Sue McClure, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
17
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2024-XXX
ABSTAIN:
VACANT:
ATTEST:
Kris Peck
City Clerk
(City Seal)
18
Comprehensive Plan Update
PLAN FORMAT
• Introduction
o Letter from Mayor or City Manager
o Thank you message for contributors
• Table of Contents
• Seward's History
• Overview and Purpose
o Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan
■ What is Seward like today - current challenges
■ Outlining future vision for the comprehensive plan (living
document vs. 10-year plan)
o Region Map and pictures of Seward
■ City Profile (snapshot of statistics)
o "How to Use This Plan" - flow chart
■ Describe difference between goals, policies, and
implementation strategies
• Goals: more specific aspirations that will help the City
achieve the Vision
• Policies: long-term guidance; don't need to be
completed by a certain date
• Implementation strategies: the plans "to-do" list; can
be removed when completed
■ Who uses the plan
■ Defining and measuring success
■ New process for updating the plan
o Who are we planning for?
■ Growth statistics for Seward
■ Population numbers Seward would need to have a thriving
school, support a rec center, have a vibrant year-round
community, etc
20
PLAN FORMAT
• Vision Statement for Seward
o A broader narrative, 1-2 sentences, not a list of action items
• Plan Goals
o People - Connect (one word that captures our goal for 'people')
• 3-5 bullet points that capture what this goal will focus on
o Place - Preserve
• 3-5 bullet points that capture what this goal will focus on
o Economy - Support
• 3-5 bullet points that capture what this goal will focus on
• Process
o Chart showing the timeline and different steps that were taken to
create this plan
• Recommendations (Red = categories from current Seward Comprehensive Plan and
where they fit in the new plan format)
o People:
• Each category will provide relevant statistics and then the
recommended policies and implementation strategies
• Categories:
• Community health
• Community engagement
• Community well-being (Quality of Life)
• Schools
• Arts and Culture
o Place:
• Categories:
• Land Use and Zoning (goals for how we want each of
these districts to look as a whole)
o Residential (RR, R1, R2, R3, UR)
o Commercial (OR, AC, HC, CB, I)
21
PLAN FORMAT
o Public (RM, INS, P)
o Zoning maps (current and future)
• Housing
o Affordability
o Aging in place
• Capital improvements (Public Facilities and Services)
o Transit and mobility network (Transportation)
■ Transportation map
o Parks and natural areas (Recreation)
■ Parks and open space map
o Utilities / Water and wastewater
■ Utility map
o Municipal facilities
■ Port and Harbor Development
• Environment (Natural Hazards)
o Mountains
o Shorelines
o Rivers
o Economy: (Economic Development)
■ Categories:
• Workforce
• Entrepreneurship and microbusiness
• Business retention and expansion
• Tourism
• Glossary
22
SPOTLIGHT PAGE IDEAS
• Qutekcak Native Tribe
• Chamber of Commerce
• Kenai Fjords National Park
• RurAL CAP
• Mt. Marathon Race
• Silver Salmon Derby
• Mermaid Festival
• Seward Community Foundation
• Seward Arts Council
• AVTEC
• Alaska Sea Life Center
• Small Boat Harbor
• Alaska Railroad
• Seward Prevention Coalition
• Winter Lifestyle
• Seward Nordic Ski Club
• HYPER
• Seward Airport
• Seward Historic Preservation Commission
• He Will Provide Food Pantry
• Seward Homeless Connect
• Bloom (community baby showers, coffee and chat, tot time, etc)
• Senior Center
• Boys and Girls Club
• Tsunami Swim Club (Lydia Jacoby - Gold Medalist)
• The Closet
23
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
These are the methods we plan to use to reach as many individuals as possible.
Are there any other suggestions for methods to use?
o Work sessions
o Open houses (food? Child care?)
o Informational table at community events
o Interviews
o Online surveys
■ Include map for gathering location specific information
o Project website
o Email
o Facebook
24
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
What do you want to know from the public about...?
o People:
■ Community health
■ Community engagement
■ Community well-being / Quality of Life
■ Schools
■ Arts and Culture
o Place:
■ Land Use and Zoning
• Residential (RR, Rl, R2, R3, UR)
• Commercial (OR, AC, HC, CB, I)
• Public (RM, INS, P)
• Zoning maps (current and future)
■ Housing
■ Capital improvements
• Transit and mobility network
• Parks
• Utilities
• Municipal facilities
■ Environment
o Economy:
■ Workforce
■ Entrepreneurship and microbusiness
■ Business retention and expansion
■ Tourism
25
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Questions:
Vision
• In only 1-2 sentences, write a vision statement for Seward. It should
describe Seward's purpose and what the community aspires for its future.
• What makes the City of Seward special?
People
• General Questions
o How long have you lived in Seward?
o How many people live in your household?
o Do you see yourself living in Seward in 5 years? Why or why not?
o If you could change one thing about Seward, what would it be?
• Community Health
o What does Seward do well for health -related services?
o What would you like to see in Seward in regard to health related
services?
• Community Engagement
o What community involvement activities do you enjoy participating
in?
o What community involvement activities do you wish Seward had to
offer?
• Community well-being/attracting and retaining engaged residents
o What aspects of Seward (environment, social, amenities) keep you
here?
o What aspects of Seward (environment, social, amenities) might
eventually be a reason you choose to move away?
o If you were to move away, what would you be seeking for in a
different location?
o What do you do in Seward to recharge and relax?
o What does Seward need in order to be viewed as a vibrant year-
round community versus a summer tourism town?
26
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
• Schools
o Do you have school age children at home?
o Are they home schooled or do they go to public school?
o Do they participate in extra -curricular activities?
o What extra -curricular activities does Seward do well?
• Arts and Culture
o What artistic or cultural activities does Seward provide that you
enjoy?
o What artistic or cultural activities would you like see Seward
provide?
Place
• Land Use and Zoning
• Housing
o Do you own your home?
■ If not, what keeps you from purchasing a home?
o What are your thoughts on the availability of housing in Seward?
o What are your thoughts on the affordability of housing in Seward?
o What types of housing should Seward focus on providing? (single-
family, apartments, townhomes, etc.)
o What specific housing challenges or issues should Seward be
addressing?
• Capital Improvements
o Get information from staff
o How do you typically get around Seward? (walk, bike, drive, bus,
etc.)
o What improvements to Seward's transportation network would you
recommend?
o What are your thoughts on the current state of infrastructure in our
community? (utilities, public facilities, etc.)
o What specific infrastructure challenges or issues should Seward
address?
o What types of infrastructure should Seward prioritize investing in?
o If you were responsible for funding community priorities, which two
would you fund first?
27
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
• Environment
o What location in Seward (natural or man-made) do you feel defines
Seward?
o What types of natural and cultural resources should Seward prioritize
protecting or enhancing? (parks, open spaces, historic sites, natural
areas)
o Where do you recreate in Seward city limits?
o Where do you recreate in the greater Seward area? (Bear Creek to
Lowell Point)
o What specific natural or cultural resources Seward should focus on
preserving or restoring?
Economy
• Workforce
• Entrepreneurship and microbusiness
• Business retention and expansion
o What services does Seward lack?
o What industries or business do you think Seward should focus on
attracting or retaining?
o What would help support these businesses in Seward?
o How do you think the community should balance the need for
economic development with the need to protect our environment
and natural resources?
o What are the barriers for year-round businesses?
o How can Seward attract and support year-round businesses?
o What is your preference for community and economic growth?
(population and jobs)
• Tourism
o What is your preference for cruise ship visitation growth?
28