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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04072026 Planning & Zoning MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Volume 8, Page 174 CALL TO ORDER The Tuesday, April 7, 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 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 — None Absent — None Vacant — One PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Hornseth/Charbonneau) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approve February 3, 2026, Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes. City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Volume 8, Page 175 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS City Administration Report Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck announced there is an open seat on the Planning & Zoning Commission and also a Seward Seat available on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission. He shared details about upcoming events, and explained that he and Courtney Bringhurst will attend a national planning conference later in April. He highlighted the launch of a new public GIS portal to improve access to maps and property information. He also reported on the subdivision code update and announced the reopening of the Seward Legislative Information Office. Lastly, Meuninck mentioned that the May 5, 2026 P&Z meeting may be canceled due to a lack of agenda items and staff availability. PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2026-003: of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a conditional use permit to Robert Williams and Travis Maurer for the construction of a seventeen -unit multi -family residential structure, including approval of a building height of up to forty-eight (48) feet, on Tract 5B-2, Forest Acres Subdivision, Seward Gateway Properties, located at 2405 Seward Highway, within an Auto Commercial (AC) zoning district. Quasi-judicial item. Commissioners may not discuss any items about this Resolution with the applicant, other commissioners, or the public. Motion (Charbonneau/Hubbard) Approve Resolution 2026-003 Bringhurst referred to the proposal in the packet, submitted by Robert Williams and Travis Maurer, for a 17-unit multifamily development at 2405 Seward Highway on land recently created through a city land swap, with final plat approval still in progress. She noted the project includes a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three -bedroom units to help meet the community's need for diverse and attainable housing. She said the site is appropriate due to its location along a high -traffic corridor and near compatible uses like the airport and snow dump, and that all development standards such as lot size, setbacks, and parking have been met. She added the project qualifies for a height increase up to 48 feet, includes more parking than required, and will require additional permits for floodplain development and infrastructure improvements. She also outlined conditions for approval, including prohibiting short-term rentals, requiring proper lighting and waste management, and ensuring compliance with standard development requirements. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Robbie Williams, applicant, noted that Travis Maurer could not attend because he is traveling. He explained that he lives outside city limits but owns land within the city, he emphasized that housing has been Seward's biggest challenge and hopes this 17-unit conditional use project can help City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Volume 8, Page 176 address that need. The development will include a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three -bedroom units ranging from 500 to 1,600 square feet, offering middle housing options at a price point currently scarce in the city. He highlighted the project's location near schools and local businesses, its alignment with the city's comprehensive plan, and its contribution to local economic growth, expressing pride and excitement in being a developer in Seward. The Commissioners and Williams discussed landscaping and vehicle entrances into complex. Lynn Hohl, inside city limits, shared that she previously served eight years on the commission and 13 years on the school board, expressing her care for kids and the community. She voiced safety concerns and suggested the commission consider requiring the developer to include safe bike paths, sidewalks, and school bus access within the project and along Hemlock Streets. She also mentioned the need for adequate street parking for visitors, emphasizing that these improvements would align with the city's safety goals and could be developed over time as the project progresses. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Resolution 2026-003 was amended for a landscape plan to be included with the submitted permit application. Main Motion As Amended Passed Unanimous Other New Business Elect a Chair and Vice Chair Hubbard nominated Clare Sullivan as Chair and there were no other nominations for this seat. Motion Passed Unanimous Charbonneau nominated Brenan Hornseth as Vice Chair and there were no other nominations for this seat. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss work session topic for April 21, 2026 Meuninck suggested these topics 1. Title 15 Draft 2. P&Z Rules and Procedures 3. Safe Street and Roads City of Seward, Alaska Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Volume 8, Page 177 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Reminder of upcoming P&Z Meetings Work Session on Tuesday, April 21, at 6:00 p.m. Regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5, at 7:00 p.m. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENTS - None ADMINISTRATION AND COMMISSION COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO PUBLIC COMMENTS Hornseth thanked the public and appreciated the detailed application for the CUP. Charbonneau also thanked the CUP applicant for a great presentation and detailed paperwork. Hubbard thanked the public and the applicant for his presentation. She gave a shout out for the city to have a code enforcer, perhaps a contracted employee who lived out of town. She noted signs of springtime in Seward. Meuninck agreed this CUP was one of the best examples of application materials that he had ever received. He appreciated all the hard work the applicants had put into it. Sullivan thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and noted the CUP presentation helped improve her understanding of the project. She added that the way the information was clearly explained made it easy to read and understandable. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. /44-i -5----- D uty City Clerk C . re Sullivan Chair J