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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01062026 Planning & Zoning MinutesPlanning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes January 6, 2026 Volume 8, Page 166 City ofSeward, Alaska CALL TO ORDER The Tuesday, January 6, 2026, regular meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Clare Sullivan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Charbonneau led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL There were present: Clare Sullivan, presiding, and Brenan Hornseth Nathaniel Charbonneau Vanessa Verhey Rhonda Hubbard June Pemberton Andrew -Wilder comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Daniel Meuninck, Community Development Director Courtney Bringhurst, City Planner Jamie Crocker, Executive Planning Assistant Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Excused — Wilder 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/Hornseth) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approve December 2, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes Approve December 16, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Special Meeting Minutes City ofSeward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes January 6, 2026 Volume 8, Page 167 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATION, AND REPORTS City Administration Report Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck wished everyone Happy New Year and welcomed 2026. He spoke to the appeal hearing for the drive-thru and that the City Council plans to reconvene on January 26, 2026 to make a final decision. He also reminded commissioners that they remain in a quasi-judicial role until the final decision. On another topic, the Mayor called for another Joint Work Session to discuss the legislative side of the cannabis code. Lastly, he mentioned a few new book resources, including The Color of Law and Abundance and invited anyone interested to check them out. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolutions 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 11 his resolution received a public hearing on November 4, 2025, and was postponed to a future meeting with Hornseth's substitute version of Resolution 2025-033 currently on the floor] The commission resumed their discussion on the substitute version of the resolution. Substitute Resolution 2025-033 was further amended to add a letter "C" that states: "Single-family homes on lots greater than 3,000 square feet are required to provide 2 parking spaces per dwelling unit" Substitute Resolution 2025-033 was further amended to add a letter "D" that states: "Duplexes and multi -family dwellings are required to provide 1 parking space per dwelling unit." Substitute Resolution 2025-033 was further amended to add a letter "C" and "D" that states: "with the exemption from Harbor District and Central District" Motion As Amended Passed 5-1 Yes: Verhey, Hubbard, Charbonneau, Hornseth, Sullivan No: Pemberton City ofSeward, Alaska January 6, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes Volume 8, Page 168 NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2026-001 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, Recommending City Council Approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission Priorities for January 2026 to January 2027 Motion (Hornseth/Verhey) Approve Resolution 2026-001 City Planner Courtney Bringhurst summarized the priorities that were discussed at the Work Session in December. She also noted that one additional priority was added to hold a Joint Work Session with City Council regarding potential revisions to regulations for marijuana establishments and to submit recommended land use amendments. The Commission discussed the priorities and marijuana regulations. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Discussion for work session topic for January 20, 2026 Meuninck explained that the Commission would still hold their regular work session in addition to the Joint Work Session with City Council. The regular work session is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20th at 6:00 p.m. He said the plan is to include a short training, possibly using mock resolutions to help commissioners better understand processes. He also noted two topics that would be discussed are mobile medical units in the land use code and new draft on cannabis code. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Reminder of upcoming P&Z Meetings: Work session on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers Regular meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers Other Items KPB Planning Commissioner Report The Commission discussed the written report in the packet. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENTS John Wisel, outside city limits, raised several issues for consideration this year, based on both his own building and what he observes downtown. He suggested clarifying and standardizing awning City ofSeward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes January 6, 2026 Volume 8, Page 169 permits so applicants do not have to navigate between city departments and asked whether there is clear guidance on where motor coaches should park, especially in the historic downtown. He recommended reviewing ADA parking spaces given recent development, and reexamining rules for boats, RVs, trailers, sheds, and storage containers, and what is allowed. He also commented on parking standards, and property owners having the most use for their property. Finally, he urged the Commission to address rules around derelict buildings and safety issues with them. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMISSION COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO PUBLIC COMMENTS Meuninck confirmed that at least four commissioners were available for the Joint Work Session. He thanked the group for the significant effort put into the parking work, acknowledging the extensive research, time, and dedication involved and saying they should be applauded for their work. Bringhurst thanked John Wisel for raising all the questions and said that some of them can be answered now, while others will require more time. Hornseth thanked everyone for working on the parking issues with him and noted that government moves slowly, explaining that the work has been ongoing for about a year. He reassured the public that the commission has not forgotten about its priorities, including marijuana, and emphasized that it remains on the list. Hubbard thanked the Commission for seconding her motions for the amendments. She thanked Hornseth for his work on the parking ordinance and the encouragement of bringing in the public to make comments. In response to John Wisel's comments, she said they highlight the need for a code enforcement officer, explaining that while she values personal freedom on private property, a great deal of work has gone into developing the code and much of it is often ignored. She emphasized that better enforcement would benefit the city and ensure the Commission's work is meaningful. She concluded by thanking City Administration and all the Commissioners. Chair Sullivan thanked everyone for coming and emphasized how important public input. She stated that while they often have their own ideas, feedback like John Wisel's raises issues they might not even realize fall within their responsibility. She also expressed appreciation for the Clerk's Office, City Administration and the Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.