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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11042025 Planning & Zoning MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission ;Meeting November 4, 2025 ;Minutes Volume 8, Page 148 CALL TO ORDER The Tuesday, November 4, 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 Charbonneau led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL There were present: Carol Griswold, presiding, and Brenan Hornseth Nathaniel Charbonneau Vanessa Verhey Rhonda Hubbard Clare Sullivan June Pemberton comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Daniel Meuninck, Community Development Director Courtney Bringhurst, City Planner Jamie Crocker, Executive Assistant Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Excused — None 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 September 2, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes Approve October 21, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Special Meeting Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting November 4, 2025 Minutes Volume 8, Page 149 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATION, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards - None City Administration Report Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck thanked Executive Assistant Jamie Crocker for creating an excellent new monthly newsletter that highlights commission activities, upcoming agenda items, and city updates in easy -to -understand terms. He mentioned that the commission will discuss 2026 meeting dates in December and asked members to bring their calendars. He also informed developers that the Developer Reimbursement Program applications are open for submission. Meuninck announced a new public GIS map viewer on the city website that combines multiple map layers for easier access . Lastly, he shared that city departments participated in a fun pumpkin decorating contest for Halloween. Other Reports and Announcements - None Presentations - one PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2025-032, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a conditional use permit to the Alaska Railroad Corporation for the installation of a Living Reef within Tideland Parcel No. 14734009, located southeast of the Alaska SeaLife Center, within the Central Business (CB) zoning district Quasi-judicial item. Commissioners may not discuss any items about this Resolution with the applicant, other commissioners, or the public. City Planner Courtney Bringhurst explained that the Alaska Railroad Corporation was required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide compensatory mitigation for the project's environmental impact. To meet this requirement, she said the Alaska Railroad partnered with the Alaska SeaLife Center to create a living reef in the tidelands. The project will use cement "reef balls" arranged in clusters to provide shelter for fish and other marine life. She noted that the Alaska SeaLife Center will monitor and maintain the reef for several years after installation. Before construction, the applicant must obtain a permit from the City of Seward to use the city -owned tidelands, and all reef structures must be installed under the supervision of a licensed engineer. The applicant will also be responsible for formal agreements to ensure ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the artificial reef. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting November 4, 2025 Minutes Volume 8, Page 150 Tara Anderson, inside city limits, had questions on the environmental mitigation and impact. Nick Jordan, outside city limits, spoke as the Facilities Director of the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute, which was next door to the Alaska SeaLife Center. He spoke about his own application for a similar project. Doug Barred, outside city limits, had questions on where the "reef balls" were going to be located. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Charbonneau/Hubbard) Approve Resolution 2025-032 Charbonneau noted that while removing natural habitat is never ideal, it's good that the Alaska Railroad were compensating by creating new habitat. He added that the new location appears to be more beneficial for the town and the public, as the current area is heavily industrial with constant shipping movement, making the new site a better choice overall. Hubbard understood the need for mitigation and appreciated the concern about potential issues with other activities in the area. She mentioned that the structures could eventually become an interesting attraction for divers. Motion Passed 6-1 Yes: Hornseth, Sullivan, Charbonneau, Verhey, Hubbard, Griswold No: Pemberton Resolution 2025-033, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward Alaska. recommending City Council amend Seward City Code §15.10.215 Parking Motion (Charbonneau/Sullivan) Approve Resolution 2025-033 Bringhurst explained that the Planning & Zoning Commission held four work sessions to discuss possible amendments to the city's parking regulations. The goal was to reduce parking requirements and address barriers to development. The commission also discussed how the high cost of required parking increases housing prices and affects businesses. While there were concerns about street parking, traffic, and neighborhood impacts, most agreed that reforms should support local residents and involve continued collaboration. She said the proposed ordinance would reduce parking requirements for multi -family housing, hotels, motels, clinics, and bowling alleys, while clarifying and updating rules for other uses, such as auto repair shops and mixed -use developments. Overall, she emphasized that reducing parking minimums can help create more walkable, affordable, and sustainable neighborhoods in line with the city's Comprehensive Plan. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting November 4, 2025 Minutes Volume 8, Page 151 Sky Livingston, inside city limits, explained how other cities have removed parking minimums and added that strict parking rules make cities less walkable and less connected. She hoped the commission would change or remove parking minimums to help build a stronger community. Tamara Filipovic, inside city limits, supported removing parking minimums, noting that the rules were often adopted without real research. She said many people in Seward with full-time jobs also struggle to find affordable housing and the community is at risk of losing year-round residents. She urged the commission to vote yes and make evidence -based decisions to improve life for as many residents as possible. Ed Slavich, inside city limits, supported removing the city's parking rules for single-family homes. He was surprised by some of the strict city code requirements for parking spaces. He thought that relaxing the rules would help with the housing shortage and make neighborhoods nicer. He also noted that street parking worked well. Karl Mechtenberg, outside city limits, said he recently moved his business to a location with very little dedicated parking and has found ways to make it work without problems. He encouraged his employees to bike when possible or to park in low -density areas. He feels that the market and his customers should decide how much parking was needed rather than following strict rules. He emphasized that land in Seward was limited and should be used wisely. Lastly, Mechtenberg noted that people are increasingly riding bikes year-round using big, studded tires. Tara Anderson, inside city limits, supported eliminating parking minimums because she loved how walkable Seward is. She said removing these requirements will help maintain and improve walkability, allowing businesses to build without assuming all customers drive. She explained that it will prevent sprawl, keep businesses closer together, and make the town more accessible for everyone, including people with mobility challenges. She added that reducing parking supports Seward's mission to be a sustainable and climate -conscious town and recommended resources for learning more about how parking minimums affect overall sustainability. Ed Slavich, inside city limits, shared that he spent one winter commuting every weekday from his neighborhood to downtown on a bike with studded tires. He emphasized that winter biking is entirely feasible because he did it every day. Tamara Filipovic, inside city limits, commented on the winter biking and said the main challenge is the weather. The more dangerous issues are car traffic and the lack of infrastructure for alternative transportation. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. The commission discussed parking in the harbor and downtown, and the parking issues that occur during the peak summer months. The pros and cons of parking minimums were carefully examined. The feasibility of biking was not an option for everyone, such as people with disabilities or health issues. Hornseth motioned to replace Resolution 2025-033 with his Substitute Resolution 2025-033. Ciry of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting November 4, 2025 ,Ltinutes Volume 8, Page 152 The commission recessed the meeting at 8:33 p.m. The commission resumed the meeting at 8:38 p.m. The commission discussed the Substitute Resolution and the amendments it contained. Motion to Postpone Postpone Resolution 2025-033 The commission discussed postponing the resolution until a work session could be held to discuss the amendments in further detail. Motion Passed 4-3 Yes: Hubbard, Pemberton, Charbonneau, Griswold No: Hornseth, Sullivan, Verhey Commissioner Charbonneau was excused and left the meeting at 8:43 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - one NEW BUSINESS Discuss work session topic for November 18, 2025 The Work Session topic for Tuesday, November 18, 2025 will be about parking. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Reminder of upcoming P&Z Meetings Work session on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Regular meeting on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall Other Items KPB Planning Commissioner Report FINAL PUBLIC COMMENTS - None ADMINISTRATION AND COMMISSION COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO PUBLIC COMMENTS Bringhurst spoke to some comments regarding the timeliness of Hornseth's substitute resolution. City staff was very careful about proper procedures and regularly consulted the city attorney to ensure everything was done correctly. She said she understood it may have felt last-minute. but Hornseth followed all required procedures and adequate notice was given. City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting November 4, 2025 Minutes ['olume 8, Page 153 Meuninck commented on the good discussion and appreciated the time and effort put in by Hornseth for his Substitute Resolution 2025-033. That amendment was 100% Hornseth's work. Pemberton would have liked to have had Hornseth's version earlier and questioned if there was a timeline to follow to get it earlier. Hornseth thanked the public for coming out and showing support, noting that earlier work sessions had very little community engagement. He had tried to talk with residents directly about parking issues. He emphasized that the people who spoke tonight were regular citizens, not hotel owners or developers, and that they simply want to improve the community rather than benefit financially. Verhey echoed Hornseth's comments and appreciated the public and everyone's hard work. She also wanted to request more educational moments such as definitions of community development, conditional use permits, ex-parte contact, quasi-judicial, and the purpose of P&Z. Sullivan appreciated all Hornseth work on the amendment, and praised everyone's hard work. She also noted this wasn't the first time a last-minute laydown had happened. The situation wasn't unusual and followed proper procedure. It was a productive parking conversation overall, although she was a little disappointed that the legislation didn't move forward. Hubbard thanked the public for coming out and speaking about parking issues. There were issues with the parking requirements costing developers money and being poor use of land. She felt one more shot at a parking work session was doable and hoped for a good public turnout. Griswold thanked Jamie Crocker for making the beautiful newsletter. It was very well done and hoped the newsletter would encourage even more public participation in the future. Griswold thanked the members of the public who came and spoke tonight. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m. Jo urtz De ty City Clerk /14177-041-1 Carol Griswwold Glair b(e,(\curl i-AorsosekV\ vim Ch-o.► r