HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ Res2025-011 Rezone Fourth of July Beach ParkSponsored by: Planning and Zoning Commission
Public Hearing: March 4, 2025
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 2025-011
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL
APPROVAL OF THE LAND USE AMENDMENT TO REZONE FOURTH
OF JULY BEACH PARK; LOCATED AT 3311 SORREL ROAD, FROM AN
INDUSTRIAL (I) ZONING DISTRICT TO A PARK (P) ZONING DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan (MLIMP) 2023-2024
Update, recommends that the Fourth of July Beach area should be platted into one parcel and
rezoned as Park; and
WHEREAS, on January 7, 2025 the Planning and Zoning Commission approved
Resolution 2025-002, recommending Council approval of the preliminary plat to combine the
southern portion of 3207 Sorrel Road and 3311 Sorrel Road into one tract of land; and
WHEREAS, on January 27, 2025 the City Council approved Resolution 2025-008
recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the same preliminary plat; and
WHEREAS, the tract of land that was created was the land that encompasses the Fourth
of July Beach and parking area; and
WHEREAS, Seward City Code 15.01.035(B)(3) allows the Commission to initiate a land
use amendment to rezone a parcel to a different zoning district than the surrounding properties as
long as that parcel is a minimum of one acre; and
WHEREAS, the parcel being rezoned is 15.331 acres; and
WHEREAS, a goal of the Seward Comprehensive Plan is to, "ensure that Municipal land
acquired for or converted to long-term or permanent -park or recreational uses are officially
dedicated as Park"; and
WHEREAS, the Fourth of July Beach has been used as a recreational area for many years
and is a popular place for locals and visitors alike; and
WHEREAS, rezoning the land to Park would ensure that the public has continued access
to this location in years to come; and
WHEREAS, the public notification process was complied with and the appropriate public
hearing, as required by Seward City Code § 15.01.040.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 2025-011
Page 2 of 2
Section 1. The Planning and Zoning Commission approves Resolution 2025-011 and
recommends an Ordinance be forwarded to City Council to approve the land use amendment to
rezone Tract B-2, Block 10, Fourth of July Creek Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center,
Fourth of July Beach Park Replat; located at 3311 Sorrel Road, from an Industrial (I) zoning district
to a Park (P) zoning district.
Section 3. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends the City Council approve
updating the current and future Land Use Maps for this location from Industrial to Park.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Planning and Zoning Commission this 4th day of
March, 2025.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Carol Griswo , Chair
AYES: Pemberton, Charbonneau, Sullivan, Griswold
NOES: None
ABSENT: Hubbard, Verhey, Hornseth
ABSTAIN: None
VACANT: None
ATTEST:
Kris Peck
City Clerk
(City Seal)
t2 O ;
SEAL ; •
...®.-. .
. E OF P\-P.,`s
1
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Planning and Zoning Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: March 4, 2025
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
Tluough: Daniel Meuninck, Community Development Director
From: Courtney Bringhurst, Planner
Agenda Item: Resolution 2025-011 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City
of Seward, Alaska, Recommending City Council approval of the land use
amendment to rezone Fourth of July Beach Park; Located at 3311 Sorrel
Road, from an Industrial (I) zoning district to a Park (P) zoning district
Background and justification:
The Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan (MILIMP) 2023-2024 Update (page 101-
102) recommends platting the Fourth of July Beach area and parking into one parcel and rezone
as Park. On January 7, 2025, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved Resolution 2025-
002 recommending Council approval of the preliminary plat. On January 27, 2025, Council
approved Resolution 2025-008 recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the same
preliminary plat.
Seward City Code §15.01.035(B)(3) allows the Commission to initiate a land use amendment to
rezone a parcel to a different zoning district than the surrounding parcels as long as the parcel is a
minimum of one acre. The parcel proposed for rezone contains 15.331 acres.
The proposed land use amendment would rezone Tract B-2, Block 10, Fourth of July Creek
Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center, Fourth of July Beach Park Replat, located at 3311
Sorrel Road, from an Industrial (I) zoning district to a Park (P) zoning district.
The Comprehensive Plan highlights the importance of recreational areas in Seward and outlines a
goal to "ensure that Municipal land acquired for or converted to long-term or permanent -park or
recreational uses are officially dedicated as Park." The Fourth of July Beach has been used as a
recreational area for many years and is a popular place for locals and visitors alike. Rezoning the
land to Park would ensure that the public has continued access to this location in years to come.
The public notification process was complied with and the appropriate public hearing, as required
by Seward City Code § 15.01.040.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Vol 1, Chapter 3.6.1.1 "Improve existing and develop additional
Plan: recreational infrastructure."
• Identify, protect, and preserve scenic and natural areas for
recreational enjoyment."
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Vol 1, Chapter 3.6.1.2
• 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:
Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan
Department
Comments
No
Comment
N/A
Building Department
X
Fire Department
X
Public Works
Department
X
Harbor Department
X
Police Department
X
Electric Department
X
Telecommunications
X
Property owners within three hundred (300) feet of the proposed land use amendment were notified
of this public hearing. Public notice signs were posted on the property and all other public hearing
requirements of Seward City Code § 15.01.040 were complied with.
At the time of this publication the Community Development Department has received no public
inquiries. If any correspondence is received after publication of this agenda statement, it will be
submitted to the Commissioners for their review.
Seward City Code 15.01.035(B)(1)(b) allows the Planning and Zoning Commission to initiate a
land use amendment on its own motion. The preliminary plat was recently approved by the
Commission and Council. The proposed zoning change to Park is the next step as recommended
by the Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan 2023-2024 Update. The proposed zoning
change would protect the beach area, ensure public parking, and provide public access to this
beloved beach area.
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Industrial
Plat Boundary
400 feet
Rezone Application Property Map
II Inc
%lilt
II; Tr
IlDu
Context Ma
RES 2025-011 - Approval of the land use amendment to rezone Fourth of July
Beach Park from an Industrial zoning district to a Park zoning district
Location: 3311 Sorrel Road
Parcel #: 14534040
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
AFFIDAVIT OF MAILING
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Ciatzt , upon oath, deposes and states:
That she is employed in the Community Development Office of the City of
Seward, Alaska; and that on'-pbn u 12, 202c she mailed a Notice of
Public Hearing to the real property owners within a 300-foot periphery of
Tract B-2, Block 10, Fourth of July Creek Subdivision, SMIC, Fourth
of July Beach Park Replat; physical address 3311 Sorrel Road, as
prescribed by Seward City Code 15.01.040.
Affirmed and signed this\day of
2025.
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
I, La- P7DM-) , hereby certify that I have posted a
Notice of Public Hearing, as prescribed by Seward City Code 15.01.040 on the
property located at Tract B-2, Block 10, Fourth of July Creek
Subdivision, SMIC, Fourth of July Beach Park Replat; physical
address 3311 Sorrel Road, the owners of which have petitioned for a
Public Hearing to Rezone the property from an Industrial Zoning District to a
Park Zoning District.
The notice was posted on rebyuAt5 1 � %oZS , which is / I
days prior to the public hearing on this petition. I acknowledge this Notice
must be posted in plain sight, maintained and displayed until all public
hearings have been completed.
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Affirmed and signed this 1 _ day of reba41 , 2025.
Signature