HomeMy WebLinkAbout04212026 Planning & Zoning Work Session NotesWORK SESSION NOTES
PLANNING & ZONING
Called by: Clare Sullivan
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Date: 4/21/2026
Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant, Title 15 Marijuana Code, P&Z Rules of Procedure
Purpose: Update, and Planetizen Training
Present:
Daniel Meuninck
Courtney Bringhurst
Jamie Crocker
Commission Members Present:
Andrew Wilder
Tyna Siptrott
Rhonda Hubbard
Vanessa Verhey
Nathaniel Charbonneau
Brenan Hornseth
Clare Sullivan
Meeting Called to order at 6:00 P.M.
6. General Updates and Announcements
• New commissioner welcomed.
• May Planning and Zoning meeting canceled due to no agenda items and staff availability.
• Staff emphasized efficient use of Commission time and possible future work sessions.
• Community event announced (April 29 at Seward High School) focused on youth mental health,
technology, and the Icelandic prevention model.
2. SS4A Safety Plan — Seward Highway
• Purpose: Identify safety improvements and position the City for federal funding.
• Key concepts:
o High visibility crosswalks and flashing beacons
o Sight distance improvements
o Refuge islands and possible medians
• Issues identified:
o Speeding concerns
o Gaps in pedestrian and bike connectivity
o Need for coordination with Alaska DOT
• Discussion focus: Early -stage prioritization rather than funding or engineering details.
3. Commissioner Safety Priorities
• Crosswalks near Port Avenue
o Support for formal crossings where informal crossings already occur
o Concern about impacts to central turn lane and traffic flow
• Flashing Beacons
o Strong support due to low driver compliance with standard crosswalks
• Pedestrian Tunnel
o Safety concerns (lighting, loitering)
o Mixed use despite improvements
WORK SESSION NOTES PLANNING & ZONING
o Ongoing question about long term role vs. surface crossings
• Bike and Ped Connectivity
o Need for better path connections and wayfinding
• Shuttle Integration
o Pedestrian movement tied to shuttle stops
o Recommendation to map stops with crossings to identify gaps
4. Title 15 Marijuana Code Updates
• Proposed changes:
o Replace "park" with "park zone" for clarity
o Add effective date to avoid making existing businesses nonconforming
o Align with recent Title 8 limits and restrictions
o Refine zoning table (limit retail to commercial zones)
• Key policy issue:
o Whether to protect existing businesses or allow them to become nonconforming over
time
• No final decision; will return as a resolution.
5. Commission Policies and Training
• Policy updates include:
o Vacancy procedures
o Attendance rules
o Open Meetings Act guidance
o Site visit requirements
o Reconsideration rules
o Ex parte communication expectations
• Training:
o Planetizen online courses (roles, ethics, zoning, decision making)
o 12 hours coursework, city funded
o Goal is improved decision quality and legal defensibility
6. Next Steps
• Continue coordination on highway safety planning
• Bring Title 15 updates back as a formal action
• Implement policy updates and begin commissioner training
Meeting adjourned at 7:27 P.M.