HomeMy WebLinkAbout10212025 Planning & Zoning Work Session NotesWORK SESSION NOTES
PLANNING & ZONING
Called by: Carol Griswold
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Date: 10/21/2025
Purpose:
Presentation on public engagement feedback received during the
Comprehensive Plan Workshops and Surveys
Present:
Daniel Meunick
Courtney Bringhurst
Jamie Crocker
Commission Members Present:
Carol Griswold
Brenan Hornseth
Nathaniel Charbonneau
Vanessa Verhey
Rhonda Hubbard
Clare Sullivan
June Pemberton
Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
The Planning and Zoning work session focused on reviewing community input and progress toward
updating Seward's comprehensive plan. Chair Carol Griswold called the meeting, and Community
Development Director Daniel Meuninck provided background on the plan's update, highlighting
disruptions from COVID-19 and the need for broad community participation. The team detailed their
engagement process, which included surveys, workshops, and school outreach.
Key topics discussed:
Community identity: Residents value Seward's friendliness, strong community, arts, and natural beauty.
Challenges: Affordable housing shortages, limited childcare, healthcare service gaps, difficulties in
attracting and retaining teachers, and winter recreation limitations surfaced as key concerns.
Values: Participants stressed the importance of nature access, support for families, investment in arts and
cultural opportunities, and ensuring a vibrant year-round economy.
Communication & participation: More formal channels for public notifications and education about
government involvement are wanted.
Economic development: Residents want to attract diverse businesses and services, with balanced growth
that protects natural resources.
Land use & infrastructure: Calls for improved walkability, sidewalk and road maintenance, public safety
enhancements, and hazard mitigation were reiterated.
Education: Advocacy for fairer school funding and staffing, particularly given Seward's size and unique
needs, was seen as vital.
Tourism: Increased tourism's impact on city infrastructure, utilities, and resources was a growing
concern.
WORK SESSION NOTES PLANNING & ZONING
Public comments reinforced these findings and emphasized both city and external factors in addressing
the community's needs. Residents encouraged deeper partnerships and ongoing feedback as the
comprehensive plan is developed.
Action items from the session:
• Explore additional funding and partnerships to expand affordable, year-round child care options in
Seward.
• Develop strategies and allocate resources to increase support for arts and cultural activities, reducing
reliance on volunteerism alone.
• Investigate ways to improve and prioritize winter recreation opportunities for youth and adults,
including maintenance of sidewalks and public spaces.
• Partner with local businesses, organizations, and the Chamber of Commerce to attract or re-establish
needed services (e.g., movie theater, bowling alley, hardware store, vet clinic).
• Strengthen communication and public education on how residents can participate in city decision -
making and planning processes.
• Work with school and government representatives to advocate for a more equitable teacher staffing
formula and increased public education funding tailored to small-town needs.
• Assess infrastructure impacts from growing tourism (especially cruise ships) —particularly utilities,
traffic, internet/cell service, and pharmacy access.
• Continue to gather feedback for the comprehensive plan, ensuring various demographics (including
students and seasonal residents) have opportunities to contribute.
• Develop initiatives to improve public and animal healthcare services, addressing gaps like a local
animal hospital.
• Evaluate ways to support food security, renewable/alternative energy efforts, and sustainable year-
round economic growth while preserving community character.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:56