HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD2025-006 Fourth of July Creek Rezone1
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Sponsored by: Planning and Zoning Commission
Introduction: March 24, 2025
Public Hearing: April 14, 2025
Enacted: April 14, 2025
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-006
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, APPROVING 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 a Park zoning district; 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 newly combined parcel includes 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 continues to have
access to this location for years to come; and
WHEREAS, on March 4th, 2025, the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission approved
Resolution 2025-011 recommending City Council approve this land use amendment; and
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-006
Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, the public notification process was complied with and the appropriate public
hearing, as required by Seward City Code § 15.01.040.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF SEWARD ORDAINS, that:
Section 1. The Council hereby approves 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 2. The Council hereby approves updating the current and future Land Use Maps
for this location from Industrial to Park.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days upon enactment.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA this
14th day of April 2025.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
2t.„ c cL
Sue McClure, Mayor
AYES: Warner, Barnwell, Wells, Crites, Finch, Osenga, McClure
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
`:;
Kris Peck
City Clerk
(City Seal)
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City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: March 24, 2025
To: City Council
From: Planning and Zoning Commission
Subject: Ordinance 2025-006: Approving 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 (MLIMP) 2023-2024 Update (page 101-
102) recommends platting the Fourth of July Beach area and parking into one parcel and rezoning
it as a Park zoning district. 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 now combined 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 continues to have access to this location for years to
come.
On March 4th, 2025, the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission approved Resolution 2025-
011 recommending City Council approve this land use amendment. 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 Plan: Vol 1, Chapter 3.6.1.1 "Improve existing and develop additional
recreational infrastructure."
• Identify, protect, and preserve scenic and natural areas for
recreational enjoyment."
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
Certification of Funds
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ 0
This legislation (V):
Creates revenue in the amount of: $
Creates expenditure in amount of: $
Creates a savings in the amount of: $
Has no fiscal impact
Funds are (✓):
Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
Not applicable
Affected Fund (✓):
General
Boat Harbor
Motor Pool
Available Fund Balance
SMIC
Parking
Other
Electric
Water
Wastewater
Healthcare
Note: amounts are unaudited
Finance Director Signature:
Yes
Attorney Review
Attorney Signature: /s Kody George
Not applicable Comments:
Administration Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Other:
Context M
Industrial
Plat Boundary
7C c.r11-11-1 C
FRIARI JR11,'
400 feet
Rezone Application Property Map
ORD 2025-XXX - 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