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Home My WebLink About05062025 Planning & Zoning MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 Volume 8, Page 116 CALL TO ORDER The May 6, 2025, regular meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Carol Griswold. OPENING CEREMONY Commissioner Nathaniel Charbonneau led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Carol Griswold, presiding, and Nathaniel Charbonneau Vanessa Verhey Sean Ulman Rhonda Hubbard Glare —Sullivan June Pemberton comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Daniel Meuninck, Community Development Director Courtney Bringhurst, City Planner Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Excused — Homseth, Sullivan, Absent — None Vacant — None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Charbonneau/Pemberton) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approve April 8, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes 1 City ofSeward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 Volume 8, Page 117 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATION, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards — None City Administration Report Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck thanked everyone who participated in the recent Comprehensive Plan town hall workshops. He gave special thanks to the consultants who are now working on organizing all the feedback. The Comprehensive Plan survey was still open until May 31, 2025. Lastly, he mentioned the Community Development Executive Assistant position was still available. Other Reports and Announcements - None Presentations - None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2025-016 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the preliminary plat of 606 First Avenue vacating the interior lot lines of three adjacent lots and creating two new lots to be known as Lots 23A and 25A, Original Seward Townsite, Nilsson Replat Motion (Charbonneau/Verhey) Approve Resolution 2025-016 City Planner Courtney Bringhurst explained the proposed preliminary plat for this property involved combining three existing 3,000 square foot lots into two new 4,500 square foot lots. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Kenneth Lang, outside city limits, said that represented the petitioners and was available for questions. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed Motion Passed Unanimous 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 Volume 8, Page 118 Resolution 2025-017 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending City Council and Kenai Peninsula approval of the preliminary plat of 1000 Hemlock Avenue, 2500 Laurel Street, 2405 Seward Highway, and 2413 Seward Highway exchanging an equal portion of city -owned land with privately -owned land and vacating interior lot lines to create two new parcels to be known as Tracts 5B-1 and 5B-2, Forest Acres Subdivision, Seward Gateway Properties Motion (Pemberton/Charbonneau) Approve Resolution 2025-017 Bringhurst explained how the proposed replat involved four parcels of land included a land swap. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened Jim McCracken, outside city limits, was encouraged by the progress and requested that the preliminary plat include a utility easement running directly south from the center of Laurel Street to Hemlock Avenue. This was based on city documents that showed utilities were planned to run east along Hemlock. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Commissioners discussed passing this resolution with the intention of adding the utility easement later, or postponing the resolution until the Public Works Director could evaluate the easement. Pemberton made a motion to amend this resolution to state "That the City Council will made aware of utility easement concerns raised by public." This amendment passed. Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-018 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a conditional use permit to Morning Star Ventures LLC to construct a 4-plex at 2018 Dunham Drive within a multi -family residential (R3) zoning district *This is a quasi-judicial hearing. Commissioners may not discuss any items pertaining to this Resolution with the applicant, other commissioners, or the public. Motion (Charbonneau/Pemberton) Approve Resolution 2025-018 Bringhurst explained that the property at 2018 Dunham Drive currently has a duplex, and the owner is seeking a conditional use permit (CUP) to expand it into a 4-plex by adding two additional one -bedroom units. She spoke about the required parking spaces and details on the conditions of the permit. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. City ofSeward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 Volume 8, Page 119 Phil Zimmerman, outside city limits, stated that the 4-plex is being built for employee housing. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed The commission discussed the proposed 4-plex in the R3 Zone and how it met the conditions requirements. The proposed addition will help address the need for long-term rental housing, particularly for local employees. Motion Passed NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Unanimous Building height discussion to review two ordinance drafts and provide staff with a recommendation for which one the Commission would like to see at the June 3, 2025 meeting Meuninck discussed the direction on proposed changes to building height limits in Seward based on several work sessions. He stated the goal was to prepare an ordinance recommendation for the June 3, 2025 meeting. He explained the two draft options that were being presented to the commission tonight to review. The commission discussed each section and area of what the building heights would be in each designated area. Discussed upcoming work session topic for May 20, 2025 The work session topic would be parking. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Reminder of the upcoming P&Z Meetings Work Session on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENTS John Wisel, outside city limits, advocated more flexible building rules in Seward, especially regarding height and parking. He pointed out that much of downtown is either undeveloped or has old buildings that need replacement. It was unfair to limit three-story buildings on one side of the street but not the other. He added that strict rules, particularly for four-story buildings and parking, made it hard for local developers to build affordable, long-term housing. The mar*Cet should guide development, and that reducing parking requirements could help create more year-round rental units. 1 City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes May 6, 2025 Volume 8, Page 120 ADMINISTRATION AND COMMISSION COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO PUBLIC COMMENTS Meuninck thanked everyone for a productive discussion, especially on the complex topic of building heights. He also gave a lighthearted update about local Parks and Recreation events, including a gold medal win in the Pink Cheeks Triathlon adult relay. The season -ending Racquetball tournament is coming up Thursday and he and Courtney Bringhurst will be representing the city. Bringhurst thanked the commission for their good questions and discussions. Kurtz mentioned the Bike Rodeo was coming up on Saturday at City Hall. Charbonneau thanked the city administration for their support. He also appreciated the public for attending and participating in the meeting. He emphasized the value of community participation, and thanked his fellow commissioners for their work. Pemberton thanked everyone for a good meeting and encouraged the public to come in and talk to the commission with their comments and concerns. Hubbard reflected on her first year with the Planning & Zoning Commission. She appreciated the progress being made on housing, such as allowing more units and bunkhouses for seasonal workers. She expressed concern about businesses buying homes for employees which could limit options for local families. She also pointed out Seward's high cost of living and encouraged the Kenai Peninsula Borough to find creative ways to reduce financial strain. Lastly, she thanked staff and the public for their support. Verhey stated she was glad to be back at the dais and it was a good meeting. Griswold welcomed Verhey back and wished Clara Brown well. She thanked the Commission, City Staff, and Deputy City Clerk for their support. She announced that a City Council Special Meeting had been requested to consider her removal from the commission. This might be her last regular meeting as commissioner and chair. She admitted she's not perfect, expressed gratitude for the chance to serve and learn, and wished everyone a good evening. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m. Jodi`; urtz Dep ty City t. (City Sett C Chair arol Griswol