HomeMy WebLinkAbout02042025 Planning & Zoning MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025 Volume 8, Page 95
CALL TO ORDER
The February 4, 2025, regular meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order
at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Carol Griswold.
OPENING CEREMONY
Commissioner Sean Ulman led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Carol Griswold, presiding, and
Brenan Hornseth
Nathaniel Charbonneau
Vanessa Verhey
Sean Ulman
Rhonda Hubbard
Clare Sullivan
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Daniel Meuninck, Community Development Director
Courtney Bringhurst, City Planner
Clara Brown, Executive Assistant
Kris Peck, City Clerk
Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk
Excused — Verhey
Absent — None
Vacant — None
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT
Nate Smith, outside city limits, spoke in opposition to the proposed marijuana drive-thru and
emphasized the need for proper regulations. He urged policymakers to carefully consider these
issues before approving drive-thru sales, stressing the importance of establishing clear laws on
open containers and enforcement. Smith understood the applicant had withdrawn the application
related to Resolution 2025-006.
Elle Zernia, outside city limits, spoke in opposition to the cannabis drive-thru even though it had
been withdrawn by the applicant. She expressed gratitude to the commission for their openness
and willingness to engage with the community. Zernia thanked the board for advocating on behalf
of the public and creating a space where people felt comfortable voicing their concerns.
City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025 Volume 8, Page 96
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Charbonneau/Sullivan) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Griswold explained that Resolution 2025-006 regarding the Tufted Puffin drive-thru needed to be
deleted from the agenda because the applicant had withdrawn the application.
Griswold also requested the Special Meeting informational item be moved to New Business- Other
Items for discussion.
Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Approve January 7, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATION, AND REPORTS
City Administration Report
Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck reiterated Resolution 2025-006 with the
Tufted Puffin application that had been withdrawn. He spoke to the three commission seats that
would expire at the end of the month and the City Council process for appointing new members.
The National Planning Conference will be held in Denver, Colorado at the end of March and there
are budgeted funds available for one commission member to attend. The regular April P&Z
meeting has been rescheduled to April 8, 2025 due to the conference. He reminded everyone of
the Comprehensive Plan surveys that remain open until May 31, 2025. Lastly, he provided a
summary of the Joint Work Session with P&Z and Council and the topics that still needed further
review.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing
Resolution 2025-004: Granting a Variance from Seward City Code 15.10.220 Development
Requirements to OBI Seafoods to install a condenser unit above their building, reaching a height
no taller than 39'; Located at 601 Port Avenue; Marina Subdivision, Block 2 Replat, Lot 2A, Block
2; Within the Harbor Commercial (HC) Zoning District
Motion (Charbonneau/Sullivan) Approve Resolution 2025-004
Bringhurst explained how OBI Seafoods was upgrading their refrigeration system by replacing
three outdated shell and tube condensers with a more efficient unit. The new condenser must be
placed above the compressor room for proper function and positioned in a loading dock on the
building's north side to minimize space usage. The unit's total height is 39 feet and 9 inches. The
applicant Dave Ramirez, and the engineer Justin Wyatt were available for questions.
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City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025 Volume 8, Page 97
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the
public hearing was opened.
Dave Ramirez, outside city limits, introduced himself as the applicant. Typically, condensers were
installed on rooftops, but in this case an alternative location was necessary. He spoke to the location
and height variance to prevent snow accumulation, as the condenser needed sufficient clearance
above the existing roofline to function properly.
No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed.
The applicant, engineer and commissioners discussed the possibility of reducing the height of the
condenser unit by 2 feet, bringing it down to 37 feet and 9 inches. This would better align with
anticipated snow loads and comply with minimum height variance. They also discussed protective
bollards, hazard signs, and windsocks.
Resolution 2025-006 was amended to adjust the height of the building to be lowered two feet from
39 feet and 9 inches to a height of 37 feet and 9 inches.
Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2025-005: Granting a Conditional Use Permit to Chugachmiut to construct and operate
a pharmacy drive-thru window at the new Chugachmiut Regional Health Center on Fort Raymond
Subdivision Replat No 1, 2022 Addition, Lot 7A-2; Located at 704 Aspen Lane; Within an Auto
Commercial (AC) Zoning District
Motion (Charbonneau/Sullivan) Approve Resolution 2025-005
Bringhurst explained the pharmacy drive-thru window was included in the construction of the
Chugachmiut Regional Health Center. The drive-thru would provide convenience and contactless
service for individuals with illnesses. She confirmed the pharmacy drive-thru met the city's setback
requirements.
Albi Tatum, outside city limits, introduced herself as the Chugachmiut Health Service Operator.
She explained the drive-thru would not be high -traffic. She emphasized that the drive-thru was
designed to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges or those who are sick and prefer
not to enter the building. Currently, these individuals require assistance from staff or their
caregivers, but the new service would allow more independence. Tatum explained that the facility
driveway had ample space for the proposed drive-thru operation. She clarified that the facility did
not intend to operate the drive-thru while the rest of the facility was closed. If a pedestrian or
someone on a non -motorized vehicle needed service, staff would bring the prescription out to
them, rather than having them access the drive-thru lane.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the
public hearing was opened No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed
City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025 Volume 8, Page 98
The commission discussed adding a condition that required the pharmacy to ensure pedestrians
and non -motorized vehicle users were provided with equivalent service. An amendment to add a
condition for a "walk up service shall be provided whenever drive up window is open" was failed
by the commission.
The commission discussed controlling noise from drive-thru speaker systems, breaches in privacy,
and exterior lighting from the pharmacy window.
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Conditional U eTefmit--to ed Puffin LLC to operate a drive thru window to
sell retail cannabis products and non cannabis food and beverage items on Lot 1, Block 2, North
eni--Lecated-at '108 Post :zthin-: a nerd l (AG) -Zee
District
Resolution 2025-006 was deleted from the agenda due to applicant withdrawing the application.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
Resolution 2025-007: Recommending City Council Approval of the Planning and Zoning
Commission Priorities for January 2025 to January 2026
Motion (Charbonneau/Sullivan) Approve Resolution 2025-007
Bringhurst summarized the Planning & Zoning Commission priorities from the agenda packet.
The commission discussed the priorities in detail.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business
Discuss the Work Session topics for Tuesday, February 18, 2025
The commission planned for a shorter work session followed by a special meeting. They wanted
to focused on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and building height regulations. Based on council
direction, they aim to prioritize ADUs.
Discuss the Special Meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
The special meeting following the work session would be to approve the updated Rules of
Procedure document with the current lineup of commissioner. There will also be a discussion on
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City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025 Volume 8, Page 99
the residency requirement for Planning & Zoning Commissioners. City Council had requested
feedback from the Planning & Zoning Commission on the matter.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Reminder of Meetings
Work session on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall
Special meeting on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall
Regular meeting on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall
COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN
COMMENTS
Charbonneau thanked everyone for coming out to the meeting and thanked city staff for their
work.
Sullivan appreciated all the hard work from everyone and moving things forward in Seward. She
stated we are all in this boat together.
Hubbard thanked everyone for their work and thought the agenda packet was nicely put together.
She appreciated the Community Development staff and City Clerk's office staff.
Meuninck thanked the commission for their work and reviewing the packets. He appreciated the
effort they put into reviewing the material.
Hornseth thanked everyone for coming to the meeting including: the public, city staff, fellow
commissioners, the City Clerk, Deputy City Clerk, Executive Assistant. He really appreciated
everyone for all their work.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Jod urtz Carol Griswol
Dety City Clerk — Chair