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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08052025 Planning & Zoning MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes August 5, 2025 Volume 8, Page 130 CALL TO ORDER The August 5, 2025, regular meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Carol Griswold. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Clare Sullivan led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Carol Griswold, presiding, and Brenan Hornseth Nathaniel Ch.arboti„eau Vanessa Verhey Rhonda Hubbard Clare Sullivan Tune Pemberton comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Daniel Meuninck, Community Development Director Courtney Bringhurst, City Planner Kris Peck, City Clerk Jamie Crocker, Executive Planning Assistant Excused — Charbonneau, Pemberton Absent — None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING — None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Sullivan/Hubbard) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the July 1, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes City of Sewarg Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes August 5, 2025 Volume 8, Page SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATION, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards - None City Administration Report Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck thanked his office staff for keeping things running while he was out of the office. He showed the commission a new book called Strong Towns: A Bottom -Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity. On another topic, Meuninck reported there were 95 permitted short-term rentals operating in city limits. There were an additional 3 short-term rentals that were still working on coming into compliance. Presentations — None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2025-023, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a conditional use permit to Harbor Holdings LLC to construct and operate an employee campground at 1713 Alameda Street within an Industrial zoning district Motion (Sullivan/Verhey) Approve Resolution 2025-023 The commission discussed ex-parte contact and determined none had occurred. City Planner Courtney Bringhurst explained this CUP would add four modified connex units, plus a fifth unit with a shower and bathroom. She noted that the Fire Chief Clinton Crites had concerns about inspecting these modified structures. The Fire Chief had provided a list of items that would add to the safety of the units. Bringhurst said city utilities would be brought to these units. Lastly, she summarized the conditions listed in the packet. Hornseth asked about the long list of recommended conditions from the Fire Chief. He wondered if that list was based on previous incidents. Gene Minden, applicant, addressed some of the Fire Chief's concerns and said he had no issues with them. He also elaborating on employee dining, dimensions of the rooms, ceiling height, doors and windows, and a hydrostat that senses moisture in the air. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened No one appeared and the public hearing was closed The resolution was amended to add a new Condition 4 Each unit will have a functioning microwave and refrigerator. City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes August 5, 2025 Volume 8, Page Griswold disagreed with some of the findings. She felt the proposal was not supported by the Comprehensive Plan, OSHA, or the Fire Chief. Main Motion as Amended Passed 4-1 Yes: Sullivan, Verhey, Hornseth, Hubbard No: Griswold Resolution 2025-024, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending Seward City Council and Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the revised preliminary plat of the property located at 3207 Sorrel Road, creating Spring Creek Park Replat Motion (Sullivan/Hornseth) Approve Resolution 2025-024 Bringhurst explained this was the same replat that the commission approved back in January of 2025. However, when the plat went to KPB for review, they verified the easement belonged to the State of Alaska and was intwined with legal interests. This new resolution would finalize this plat would finalize this plat and retain the State of Alaska's easement.". Stacy Wessel, AK Lands, Land Surveying & Real Estate, was available telephonically for the meeting. She confirmed the process of working with the State of Alaska to vacate that easement was an option, but it would take at least a year. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared and the public hearing was closed The commission agreed the revised replat was the best route to take. Hornseth noted it was funny how the easement was such a key discussion point on the initial version. City Council did not approve the rezone to park. The resolution was amended to delete all instances of the word "park" in the title and resolution. Main Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-025, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the preliminary plat of the property located at 2007 Olympia Road, creating Lots 22-27 Gateway Subdivision 2025 Addition Motion (Hornseth/Hubbard) Approve Resolution 2025-025 Bringhurst summarized from the agenda statement and noted the preliminary plat was pretty straightforward. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared and the public hearing was closed. The commission agreed the preliminary plat was indeed very straightforward. City of Sewarct Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes August 5, 2025 Volume 8, Page Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-026, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the preliminary plat of Tract 5B-2, Forest Acres Subdivision, Seward Gateway Properties; creating Lots 1-4 and Tract 5B-3, Forest Acres Subdivision, Seward Gateway Properties No. 2 Motion (Sullivan/Hubbard) Approve Resolution 2025-026 Bringhurst summarized from the packet. This resolution involved tract 5B-2 that the commission approved two months ago. The subdivision was all within privately owned land and this replat was the first phase of the two-phase development process. The cul-de-sac was not permanent and intended to be fully connected in the future. Lastly, Bringhurst addressed adequate turnaround space for emergency personnel. The commission discussed floodplain concerns with administration. Bringhurst explained the flood zone development permit and said it would be addressed later in the development. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened No one appeared and the public hearing was closed The commission discussed the mounds of gravel fill brought in over the years. Griswold motioned to recommend that the applicants confer with the Borough Planning Commission on a new subdivision name that does not contain the word "Gateway," as there are already many unrelated Gateway subdivision names. Hubbard agreed there were a lot of "Gateways" in Seward. Bringhurst noted the word "Gateway" was their business name. Wessel clarified the official business names were Seward Gateway Storage and Seward Gateway Properties. The commission approved a recommendation to the applicant on a new name for this subdivision that does not contain the word "Gateway." Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Discuss the need for an enforcement officer [sponsored by Chair Griswold] Meuninck said he had been researching the history of code enforcement in Seward. He noted there were areas where the public may appreciate code enforcement. Griswold said a code enforcement officer could assist with ADA regulations, parking, general code enforcement, fines, complaints, and reduce stress on city staff. City staff does not have time to field complaints, and the only enforcement option is writing letters. 1 1 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes August 5, 2025 Volume 8, Page Sullivan spoke to her experience of other cities who do have compliance officers and how it alleviates the burden from city staff in each department. The commission supported a memo to council supporting the code enforcement officer. Discuss request for updates from the KPB Planning Commissioner [sponsored by Chair Griswold] Griswold was interested in hearing updates from the KPB Planning Commission. The current Seward Seat was interested in providing these reports. Bringhurst described what these updates might look like, which included a spreadsheet and a written summary. The commission supported receiving updates from the KPB Planning Commissioner. [Clerk's Note- The current Seward seat on the KPB Planning Commission is Karina England] Discuss work session topic for August 19, 2025: Parking Meuninck wanted more public input on the topic of parking. Griswold felt the summer was too busy for big changes due to locals being so busy. Hornseth said everyone was always busy, and anytime was as good as another. The whole town would not be busy on August 19, 2025. Griswold wanted more input from downtown. She wanted to focus on commercial parking downtown. Hotels and mixed use were the squeaky wheel. The commission supported a work session on parking in commercial zoning districts. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Reminder of upcoming P&Z Meetings Work session on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall Regular meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall FINAL PUBLIC COMMENTS — None ADMINISTRATION AND COMMISSION COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO PUBLIC COMMENTS Meuninck thanked everyone for being at the meeting. City of Sewarc4 Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes August 5, 2025 Volume 8, Page Sullivan thanked city staff for putting everything together and thanked the commission for taking care of four resolutions by 8:30 p.m. Hubbard thanked Chair Griswold, city staff, and everyone for being at the meeting. She hoped for public participation in the upcoming parking work session. Griswold summarized the four public hearings and the actions taken at the meeting. She appreciated everything who attended and thanked Jamie Crocker for attending her first P&Z regular meeting. Lastly, Griswold thanked the public for attending the meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. CetAib—e CrLi.aLut-e.41 Kris Peck Carol Griswol City Clerk Chair (City Seal) .•ofSEit", *' SEAL ) • i .-a- ''•. i 1 OF P�-P%•••'' 1