HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ Res2025-028 Veterinary Hospital UpdateSponsored by: Planning and Zoning Commission
Public Hearing: September 2, 2025
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 2025-028
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL
AMEND SEWARD CITY CODE §15.10.140 DEFINITIONS FOR ANIMAL
SHELTER AND VETERINARY HOSPITAL AND §15.10.226 LAND USES
ALLOWED TABLE FOR VETERINARY HOSPITAL
WHEREAS, according to Seward City Code §15.01.035B(1)(b), the Planning and Zoning
Commission by its own motion may recommend amendments to Title 15 to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the community to periodically review and update
the City zoning code to reflect community changes and needs; and
WHEREAS, the Commission held a work session on July 15, 2025 to discuss veterinary
hospitals within Title 15; and
WHEREAS, the Commission recommended amending the definition of Veterinary
Hospital; and
WHEREAS, there are currently no permanent veterinary hospitals operating in Seward;
and
WHEREAS, a veterinary hospital is allowed with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in the
Auto Commercial, Industrial, and Resource Management zoning districts; and
WHEREAS, the Land Uses Allowed Table should ensure that there are options for suitable
locations for permanent veterinary services; and
WHEREAS, an animal shelter is allowed outright in the Industrial zoning district and with
a CUP in Resource Management and Institutional zoning districts; and
WHEREAS, there is no definition for animal shelter within Title 15.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning
Commission, that:
Section 1. The Commission recommends Ordinance 2025-XXX attached and incorporated
herein by reference, be forwarded to City Council for approval.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2025-028
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission this 2nd day
of September, 2025.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Ce- ,-k
,Chair
Carol
AYES: Hornseth, Hubbard, Verhey, Sullivan, Griswold
NOES: Pemberton
ABSENT: Charbonneau
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Kris Peck
City Clerk
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Planning and Zoning Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: September 2, 2025
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
Through: Daniel Meuninck, Community Development Director
From: Courtney Bringhurst, Planner
Agenda Item: Resolution 2025-028, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of
Seward Alaska, recommending City Council amend Seward City Code
§ 15.10.140 Definitions for animal shelter and veterinary hospital and
§ 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table for veterinary hospital
Background and justification:
A veterinary hospital located in Soldotna, Alaska has been offering temporary and limited veterinary
services to animals as a mobile medical unit through the Seward Animal Shelter located at 601 Sea
Lion Avenue. This property is zoned Institutional.
An animal shelter is allowed in the Institutional and Resource Management zoning districts by
conditional use permit and in the Industrial zoning district outright. A veterinary hospital,
however, not allowed in the Institutional zoning district. It is allowed in the Auto Commercial,
Industrial, and Resource Management zoning districts by conditional use permit.
This situation has provided the City with an opportunity to review the Land Uses Allowed Table to
expand the options to include the Institutional zoning district for permanent veterinary services
within Seward.
The Commission held a work session on July 15, 2025 to discuss veterinary hospitals within Title
15. During this work session, the Commission recommended amending the definition for veterinary
hospitals and allow their use in the Institutional zoning district. During the discussion, the
Commission also recommended adding a definition for animal shelter since it is not defined in city
code, but is a listed use on the Land Uses Allowed Table.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Vol 1, Chapter 3.1 — Economic Development
Plan: • 3.1.1 — "Attract new business and industry to the greater Seward
area."
• 3.1.1.4 — "Support private sector business, employment, and
programs."
o "Support and encourage the growth of business."
Strategic Plan: N/A
Other: N/A
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The public hearing posting requirements of Seward City Code § 15.01.040(A)(1) were complied
with.
At the time of this publication, the Community Development Department has not received public
inquiries that have been forwarded to the Commission. If any correspondence is received after
publication of this agenda statement, it will be submitted to the Commissioners for their review.
Recommendation
If the Commission is in favor of the amendments, SCC 15.01.035B(1)(b) gives the Commission
power to provide a recommendation to City Council to amend Seward City Code § 15.10.140
Definitions for animal shelter and veterinary hospital and § 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table for
veterinary hospital as outlined in the attached Ordinance 2025-XXX.
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Sponsored: Sorensen
Introduction: September XX, 2025
Public Hearing: October XX, 2025
Enactment: October XX, 2025
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-XXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AMENDING SEWARD CITY CODE §15.10.140 DEFINITIONS
FOR ANIMAL SHELTER AND VETERINARY HOSPITAL AND §15.10.226
LAND USES ALLOWED TABLE FOR VETERINARY HOSPITAL
WHEREAS, according to Seward City Code §15.01.035 B(1)b, the Planning and
Zoning Commission by its own motion may recommend amendments to Title 15 to the
City Council; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the community to periodically review and update
the City zoning code to reflect community changes and needs; and
WHEREAS, the Commission held a work session on July 15, 2025 to discuss veterinary
hospitals within Title 15; and
and
WHEREAS, there currently are no permanent veterinary hospitals operating in Seward;
WHEREAS, a veterinary hospital is allowed with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in the
Auto Commercial, Industrial, and Resource Management zoning districts; and
WHEREAS, animal shelters are allowed in the Institutional zoning district but not a
veterinary hospital; and
WHEREAS, the Commission recommended that veterinary services should be allowed
in Institutional zoning district in the Land Uses Allowed Table to ensure that there are options
for suitable locations for permanent veterinary services; and
WHEREAS, the Commission recommended amending the definition of Veterinary
Hospital to better describe the services and scope; and
WHEREAS, an animal shelter is listed in the Land Uses Allowed Table but there is no
definition for animal shelter within Title 15; and
WHEREAS, the Commission approved Resolution 2025-028 on September 2, 2025,
recommending the City Council approve the proposed changes.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF SEWARD ORDAINS that:
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-XXX
Section 1. Seward City Code Title 15.10.140B Specific Definitions is hereby amended to
read as follows (new language is in bolded italics and underlined, and deleted language is
stricken):
7. Animal shelter. A facility operated by or under contract with a municipality for the
purpose of temporary impoundment, care, quarantine, placement for adoption, and
other services for any animal abandoned, lost, surrendered, seized, or otherwise
subject to impoundment accordinji to law. Includes animal control shelter.
107.106. Veterinary services hospital. The provision of professional medical care to
animals by licensed veterinarians, and other services to animals, A facility, which
may include animal care, jroominz, and runs, in which veterinary services are
rendered to animals and domestic pets and which may include clipping, bathing,
boarding in a permanent facility, and other services. Includes veterinary clinic.
Section 2. Seward City Code Title 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table is hereby amended
to read as follows (new language is in bolded italics and underlined, and deleted language is
stricken):
TABLE
Zoning District Designations
The following zoning district abbreviations are provided for information and interpretation:
RR =
Rural, very low density single-family residential
R1 =
Single-family, low density residential
R2 =
Single and two-family, medium density residential
R3 =
Single, two and multi -family, high density residential
UR =
Urban residential, a mix of residential uses and low impact home professional
offices
OR =
Office residential
AC =
Auto and neighborhood oriented, light commercial
HC =
Harbor commercial
CB =
Central business district - dense downtown commercial
I =
Industrial
RM =
Resource management - partially developable lands subject to floodplains and
steep slopes
INS =
Institutional, public, quasi -public uses
P =
Parks
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-XXX
Table 15.10.226. Land Uses Allowed
Key:
O — Use Permitted Outright
H — Home Occupation
C — Use Requires Conditional Use Permit
P — Use Requires Administrative Permit
Blank — Use Prohibited
Zoning Districts
Principally Residential
Principally Commercial
Principally Public
Uses
RR
R1
R2
R3
UR
OR
AC
HC
CB
I
RM
INS
P
Veterinary services
C
0
E
0
CO
O
hesPital
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days upon adoption.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA the
XX day of October, 2025.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Sue McClure, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
VACANT:
ATTEST:
Kris Peck
City Clerk
(City Seal)
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