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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09172024 Planning & Zoning Work Session NotesWORK SESSION NOTES PLANNING & ZONING Called by: Chair Carol Griswold Time: 6:00 PM Date: 9/17/2024 Purpose: Housing issues in Seward. Present portions of SCC Title 15 & 16 that pertain to housing. Present: Michael Calhoon, Daniel Meuninck, Courtney Bringhurst, Clara Brown, Chris Blanchard, Tom Tougas, Joe Tougas, Nicole Lawrence, Craig Ambrosiani Council Members Present: Carol Griswold, Brenan Hornseth, Nathaniel Charbonneau, Vanessa Verhey, Sean Ulman, Rhonda Hubbard, Clare Sullivan, The Community Development, Planning & Zoning Work Session was called to order by Chair Carol Griswold at 6 PM. • Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck spoke of the research on other viewshed town building heights and reached out to employers for the housing perspectives in Seward. He touched a little on the Development Reimbursement Program and introduced RuralCap. • Nicole Lawrence did a PowerPoint presentation, "Housing Issues Affecting Employment in Seward." Commissioner Hubbard asked about the income based subsidized program and Nicole pointed out that it is through KPB. Commissioner Hubbard addressed concerns about income -based housing and that it affects families that are trying to get stable housing in Seward. Nicole continued with the PowerPoint presentation. Commissioner Sullivan asked if there are unfinanceable homes? Chair Griswold asked if it is in inside city limits and Nicole responded that it is in the 99664 area. Commissioner Hubbard asked administration if there can be nightly rentals in R3. City Planner Bringhurst responded that STR's are in single family and multifamily homes. R3 does allow the home to be occupied to rent out a room. But in Commercial zones, there does not need to be occupation in the home. Commissioners continued to ask questions about rentals and the number of places that allow pets. • Fire Chief Clinton Crites did a presentation on Building Height Discussion. Building height is not listed in Title 9 & 12. Chief Crites suggested that it would be nice to go higher for the building height in some areas and that it would be safe. There is a ladder truck that extends to 75 feet. Chief Crites noted that there are good fire inspections when they are run within the city annually. Chair Griswold asked if there are concerns about earthquakes if the building height increases. Chief Crites stated there is a whole new building code for seismic activity. Tom Tougas addressed the specific height issues. Craig Ambrosiani, inside City limits, spoke for the Seward Community Health Clinic. He stated that there is a housing issue for the medical staff. Commissioner Hubbard asked how many Doctors have left due to housing issues. Ambrosiani stated that one Doctor left due to housing issues. Commissioner Hubbard asked how SCHC secures housing for the medical staff. Ambrosiani stated that they mostly rent Air B&B's. • Employer Housing Feedback. Letters from local employers had sent in letters addressing concerns about the housing issues in Seward. The letters were included in the Planning & Zoning Work Session Packet for September 17, 2024. • Community Development Director Meuninck touched base on the Development Reimbursement Program. The program was started with the American Rescue Acts fund and Norwegian Cruise Line helped put the program together. Joe Tougas spoke on the program and how 87 lots are going into the project. He stated who they are working with, such as the Coast Guard taking the lots that are zoned R3. RuralCap has 10 lots. Tougas continued to explain how the 87 lots will be divided and developed. Chair Griswold asked how the reimbursement part of the program works. Tougas stated that the City pays 50% 1 part of the infrastructure. Community Development Director Meuninck stated that there are currently no funds in the DRP. • Valerie Lewis, Homeownership Program Supervisor, RuralCap did a presentation over the Polycom about how they are intergrading some of their services to Seward. Chris Blanchard, attended in person. Valerie touched base on how RuralCap uses income guidelines for services rendered to qualified households that apply for home ownership and construction services. RuralCap also provides Subsequent Loans/Grants. There is also the Cook Inlet Housing Authority grant. Office located in Anchorage, AK. Valerie stated that has been about a hundred homes that were built on the Kenai Peninsula. Chair Griswold asked if RuralCap has partnered with AVTEC and they responded no. They are looking into it. Chair Griswold stated that it would be nice to get partnered with AVTEC's building program. Chris Blanchard, RuralCap Project Lead stated that the students would need to volunteer their time to gain hands on experience per week. As well as hire a contractor. USDA 504 is for all of Alaska except a few places. Information is available online. Casey Warner spoke that she is happy that RuralCap is branching out to Seward. • Seward City Code Title 15. No need to go in order and included the parts of code. Highlighted the sections that developers can use. Brenan explained the research he found on the laydowns that were provided for the meeting. Which included Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Update Project and how much the information will help any findings to make the code better and understandable for future use. • 82 Short Term Rentals have been approved in 2024. • Seward City Code Title 16 has portions highlighted in the packet that can be a pertinent to housing. • Community Development Director Meuninck gave a summary of accomplishments that Chair Griswold compiled and included; Planning & Zoning/Council Rezoning for housing and/or higher density. With a not exhaustive list. As well as Planning & Zoning CUPS for housing not otherwise not allowed in zone. Land Swaps and Foreclosures. • Commissioners thanked those who attended the work session as well as those who attended through the Polycom. Work Session was called to adjournment by Chair Griswold at 8:39PM. 2