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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09112024 Planning & Zoning LAYDOWN_Public Letters to CommissionersChristina Teaford 317 Third Avenue Seward, AK Seward Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Community Development PO Box 167 Seward, AK 99664 August 22, 2024 Re: Resolution 2024-017 To Whom It May Concern, am writing regarding Resolution 2024-017 for a conditional use permit to construct a 42-room hotel at 313 and 315 Fourth Avenue. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the September 3rd meeting. I live across the street at 317 Third Avenue and am concerned about the lack of available parking in the area. Street parking along Third Avenue (and in front of my house) is full, year-round because Resurrect Act Coffee House does not have off-street parking. Local residents are unable to park in front of their own homes. The area is congested and busy. Street parking obstructs views and poses a danger to pedestrians, such as myself, who walks to and from work every day. The addition of a 42-room hotel in the area will create additional congestion and pose safety risks. While I support developing vacant properties in the downtown area, I strongly oppose the construction of a large-scale hotel unless off street parking, with at least 42 spaces, is required. Thank you for your consideratipn, (1ti2 I Christina Teaford 8127/ 4 Seward Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Community Development PO Box 167 Seward AK 99664 Re: Resolution 2024-017 Grace Group Properties 1 LLC We are against this project. To Whom It May Concern, Kersten & Mike Ross 12520 Ginami Street Anchorage, AK 99516 I am writing this letter concerning the proposed hotel construction being reviewed at 313 and 315 4`r' Ave Seward AK. We have houses located at 609 4' Ave and 201 2" � Ave in Seward and heard about the Public Hearing concerning this project, We have been property owners in the town of Seward for over 15 years. I have been coming to Seward for over 50 years. This is a town with a very special connection to many Alaskans. The ocean access provides a recreational paradise. The historical July 4th Mt Marathon race attracts people from all over the world. This is a town unlike any other. I am not against development, Looking at the number of shortterrn rentals is concerning. If we continue to develop for the people who are only here for the shor-tterm the town will change in drastic ways. Seward needs to keep the locals needs in focus and build around keeping people in Seward year round. The one time visitor is only there for a short time and most likely will not be returning. Short term rentals raise prices on locals that they can not afford. My husband and I vote no on adding another hotel is a town that is already full of hotels. Thank You, Kersten Mortensen Ross OL-75-44,—g Mike Ross i August 28, 2024 Re: Resolution 2024-017 Dear Planning Commissioners, I ask that when you are deciding on this request for another hotel in Seward you take into consideration that many of our hotels and B&B's are empty almost nine months of the year. I believe what is needed most in our community is more permanent housing for those that choose to live here year round. Thank you for your time serving, Leona Cange comment re planned 42-room hotel on 4th Ave Matt Teaford <mkteaford@gmail.com> Tue 9/3/2024 4:35 PM To:Planning <planning@cityofseward.net> External Email: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. To Whom It May Concern: I am submitting the following written comment in response to the notice of public hearing related to Resolution 2024-017, involving a conditional use permit for construction of a hotel located at 313 and 315 Fourth Avenue. Unfortunately, I am not available to attend tonight's public hearing. I am a full-time resident of downtown Seward, residing at 317 Third Avenue. I am concerned that the planned hotel development does not provide for dedicated on -site parking. Specifically, I am concerned about added parking congestion in an already congested area. Parking on Third Avenue in front of our residence is often fully occupied by nearby business customers during business hours, which would leave little parking for hotel guests. Hotel guests who do find and occupy parking on Third Avenue will leave fewer available spots for business customers, employees, and for residents. I think the City's experience with other off -site parking "solutions" for downtown lodging establishes that proposed off -site parking alternatives are unlikely to meaningfully address the localized congestion issue. When given the option, guests with vehicles are going to park on the street in an available space that is nearest to the hotel. I hope the commission will weigh this parking reality and the fact that additional parking congestion will occur when considering whether to approve the permit. Thank you for your consideration of my comment. Regards, Matt Teaford To Whom It May Concern: The construction of this 42 room hotel in its current state as proposed by the applicant will be devastating to the downtown historic district of Seward, Alaska. You will see by the pictures I have attached with this letter, the usual daily current parking situation in public parking spots all around the lot of this proposed project are already 75-100%full. There are cars that are consistently parked in public spots related to surrounding businesses that currently have agreements that were made not to use public parking that have patrons parked there in public spots daily. The applicants proposal in its current format should be voted down unanimously due to inadequate parking. It is clearly written in the code of ordinances under 15.10.215-Parking, for dwellings and lodges that one parking spot is required for each guest unit. His current proposal clearly violates this ordinance. His proposal of the nontraditional offsite parking is a great new concept, but must be voted down because it is not enforceable. In the next paragraph I lay out many great suggestions to possibly make the concept workable but according to the ordinance, it is not in compliance. This will further devastate the future of this historic district, by bending the law, not following ordinances and setting up precedence and lowering the bar and businesses will only take advantage of it, and things will deteriorate further. My primary residence is in the next block and this will directly affect me. Currently I'm not able to park in front of my own home until after three in the afternoon. My own grandson is disabled and I'm well aware of ADA requirements, which will also be violated by his current proposal. I strongly urge the commission to vote this proposal down, not only for the good of the Seward Downtown Historic district and all of the residents like myself, but for the future of the city and to be compliant with the law regarding ADA compliance. ADA guests need accommodations by law and with this new model, they would need assistance from their vehicle waiting for the shuttle on to the shuttle all the way to the hotel getting off the shuttle and all of this without being in the weather at the offsite parking to wait on the shuttle. Also, as stated in the meeting 60% of his entrances at his property need to be accessible, and you would have to consider where they are dropped off on the shuttle and an accessible entrance for people inquiring those who may physically come to the hotel thinking they can check in on site or visiting other guests. There are many ways that can be suggested to Reduce the negative impact that the 42 room Hotel will make on historic downtown Seward but there is no guarantee that the current owner or future owners will adhere to any of these suggestions. First suggestion, local residents and businesses could get a discount on renting the event Space. Owners can be required to Pay for advertising for the shuttle with the hotel advertising prominently so those who like traditional hotels and on -site parking will have the option of going elsewhere. The owner will have to REQUIRE guests to park offsite and get their room code after they park offsite when they get on the shuttle. The shuttle driver will then give them the room code. The current and future owner would be required to Pay to market shuttle service to other businesses in the community There are many reasons that the applicant's proposal in its current form will violate parking regulations due to the actions of his guests that he can't control. First, there is always a possibility that Cell phone batteries can go out so they would not be able to check in or call the shuttle and would have to physically go to the property and park. Secondly, some people may not be tech savvy enough to use cell phones for everything or have misunderstood instructions to park off site because this is such a unique nontraditional model. Lastly, no one has control over selfish people who ignore rules that may be set in place even with the most well intention policies. As brought up in the meeting, in addition to all of this future owners may not adhere to any of these agreements. Please let me know if you need any clarification of anything I have written in this letter. Sincerely, Joanne Frey 311 3rd Avenue Seward, AK 42 Room Hotel Proposal Angela G. Lorio <ajglorio@gmail.com> Toe 9/10/2024 2:11 PM To:Clara Brown <cbrown@otyofseward.net> C Joanne Frey <hapi2teach@gmail.com> Extei, .. originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. To Whom It May Concern: The construction of this 42 room hotel in its current state as proposed by the applicant will be devastating to the downtown historic district of Seward, Alaska. you will see by the pictures I have attached with this letter, the usual daily current parking situation in public parking spots all around the lot of this proposed project are already 75-100%full. There are cars that are consistently parked in public spots related to surrounding businesses that currently have agreements that were made not to use public parking that have patrons parked there in public spots daily. The applicants proposal in its current format should be voted down unanimously due to inadequate parking. It is clearly written in the code of ordinances under 15.10.215-Parking, for dwellings and lodges that one parking spot is required for each guest unit. His current proposal clearly violates this ordinance. His proposal of the nontraditional offsite parking is a great new concept, but must be voted down because it is not enforceable. In the next paragraph I lay out many great suggestions to possibly make the concept workable but according to the ordinance, it is not in compliance. This will further devastate the future of this historic district, by bending the law, not following ordinances and setting up precedence and lowering the bar and businesses will only take advantage of it, and things will deteriorate further. My primary residence is in the next block and this will directly affect me. Currently I'm not able to park in front of my own home until after three in the afternoon. My own grandson is disabled and I'm well aware of ADA requirements, which will also be violated by his current proposal. I strongly urge the commission to vote this proposal down, not only for the good of the Seward Downtown Historic district and all of the residents like myself, but for the future of the city and to be compliant with the law regarding ADA compliance. ADA guests need accommodations by law and with this new model, they would need assistance from their vehicle waiting for the shuttle on to the shuttle all the way to the hotel getting off the shuttle and all of this without being in the weather at the offsite parking to wait on the shuttle. Also, as stated in the meeting 60% of his entrances at his property need to be accessible, and you would have to consider where they are dropped off on the shuttle and an accessible entrance for people inquiring those who may physically come to the hotel thinking they can check in on site or visiting other guests. There are many ways that can be suggested to Reduce the negative impact that the 42 room Hotel will make on historic downtown Seward but there is no guarantee that the current owner or future owners will adhere to any of these suggestions. First suggestion, local residents and businesses could get a discount on renting the event Space. Owners can be required to Pay for advertising for the shuttle with the hotel advertising prominently so those who like traditional hotels and on -site parking will have the option of going elsewhere. The owner will have to REQUIRE guests to park offsite and get their room code after they park offsite when they get on the shuttle. The shuttle driver will then give them the room code. The current and future owner would be required to Pay to market shuttle service to other businesses in the community There are many reasons that the applicant's proposal in its current form will violate parking regulations due to the actions of his guests that he can't control. First, there is always a possibility that Cell phone batteries can go out so they would not be able to check in or call the shuttle and would have to physically go to the property and park. Secondly, some people may not be tech savvy enough to use cell phones for everything or have misunderstood instructions to park off site because this is such a unique nontraditional model. Lastly, no one has control over selfish people who ignore rules that may be set in place even with the most well intention policies. As brought up in the meeting, in addition to all of this future owners may not adhere to any of these agreements. Please let me know if you need any clarification of anything I have written in this letter. Sincerely, Joanne Frey 311 3rd Avenue Seward, AK