HomeMy WebLinkAbout08202024 Planning & Zoning Work Session NotesWORK SESSION NOTES
PLANNING & ZONING
Called by: Chair Carol Griswold
Time: 6:00 PM Date: 8/20/2024
Purpose: Comprehensive Plan Survey Questions, P&Z Rules and Procedures, Title 15.20 Sign Code Edit
Present: Michael Calhoon, Daniel Meuninck,
Courtney Bringhurst, Clara Brown
Council Members Present: Carol G., Sean U., Brenan
H., Claire S., Vanessa V., Rhonda H..
Absent: Nathaniel C.
The Community Development, Planning & Zoning Work Session was called to order by
Chair Carol Griswold at 6 PM.
• Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck introduced the Comprehensive Plan
Survey Questions.
• Planner Courtney Bringhurst stated that the purpose of the questions in the Comprehensive
Plan Survey is to facilitate the updating process and gather community input for the
upcoming revised 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
• Categories for the Comprehensive Plan survey questions are listed as:
o Vision
o People — Quality of Life
o Place — Land Use
o Economy
• Vision has 7 questions.
• #6 "When considering Seward's existing image and identity, identify if
each of the following is a strength or weakness for the community
today?" (Great Strength, Strength, Neutral, Weakness, Great
Weakness) It was suggested to have a scale of 1 to 5, instead of an
alphabetical list.
• #7 "What community organizations and/or events contribute to the
overall positive image and identity of Seward?" (open ended)
• People survey has categories such as general questions, community health, schools and
community engagement.
• General Questions has 5 questions.
■ #5 "What aspects of Seward would be a reason you choose to leave
Seward?" (Agree, Neutral, Disagree) option: f. others were added
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• Community Health has 2 questions and remain the same.
• Schools has 3 questions.
• #2 was suggested to be re -written from; "Select all the extra -curricular
activities offered by the public school system that your children are or
have participated in." (lists a-1) to; Select all the extra -curricular activities
offered by the public school system that your children are or have
participated in.
• #3 "What is the biggest challenge Seward schools are currently facing?"
(Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, Strongly Disagree) It was
suggested to add home school besides public schools.
• Community Engagement has 6 questions.
• # 1 "How do you find out what events are happening in the community?"
(Most often, Often, No Opinion, Occasionally, Never) It was suggested to
put (h. other) and check the ones that apply
• #4,5 and 6 were suggested to be combined into one question.
• Place Survey has categories such as Natural Resources, Capital Improvements,
Transportation, Development and Housing.
• It was suggested that the wording for Natural Resources be changed to
Natural Features.
• #3 "What natural resources in Seward should be a preservation priority?"
(rank in order of importance) h. viewshed, i. Beach Front, j. Jessee Lee
Home was suggested to be added to the a-j order of importance.
• Capital Improvements has 3 questions.
• #2 "How do you feel about the following types of alternative energy
sources for Seward?" to be ranked 1 to 5.
• #3 "Which public services would you support your tax dollars being used
for?" a-s as optional choice (r. To preserve historical sites to ADA
compliance.)
• Transportation has 6 questions.
• #6 "When considering Seward's existing transportation networks,
identify if each of the following is a strength or weakness for the
community today." to be rephrased by the Community Development
Planner. As well for option e. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities to be
changed to Pedestrian and bicycle paths.
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• Development has 6 questions.
• #5 "What are the barriers to developing undeveloped land in Seward?" to
What are the barriers to developing land in Seward?
Housing has 10 questions.
• # 1 "When considering existing housing and residential areas, identify if
each of the following is a strength or weakness for Seward today?"
Options a and b were suggested to be taken out as Seasonal and
Employee Housing to be added. Types of housing and Quality of Life
was suggested to be put into the question.
• #2 "How do you feel about the following residential neighborhoods of
Seward?) Was suggested to strike out options: a and b. As well to add
transportation as an option. Also to keep the subject (s) a top priority.
• Combine questions 5, 6 and 7.
• #8 "What are the greatest barriers to constructing homes on undeveloped
land in Seward?" to be rephrased as; What are the greatest barriers to
constructing homes in Seward?
• #9 "What are the greatest barriers to renting in Seward?" to be rephrased
as What are the greatest barriers to living sustainably in Seward?
• # 10 was suggested, what is the ratio? And the lack of year-round rentals.
• Economy Survey has categories such as Business Retention & Expansion and
Tourism. It was suggested to add quality of life, and all the questions remain the same.
Chair Griswold suggested that questions regarding environmental issues would be a good
thing to add into the survey.
Community Director Daniel M., referenced the revision of the Rules of Procedure, noting
that it has been more than ten years since the last update. He indicated that the document is
currently undergoing finalization for the updated version.
Work Session was called to adjournment by Chair Griswold at 8:57 PM.
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