HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ RES2026-012 Track H Waterfront Park ReplatSponsored by: Applicant
Public Hearing: September 1, 2026
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 2026-012
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL AND KENAI
PENINSULA BOROUGH APPROVAL OF THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF TRACT
H, SEWARD ORIGINAL TOWNSITE WATERFRONT PARK REPLAT;
CREATING TRACT H1, WATERFRONT PARK REPLAT WITH ASSOCIATED
VACATIONS AND DEDICATIONS
WHEREAS, R&M Consultants, Inc. has prepared a preliminary plat on behalf of the City of
Seward for Tract H, Seward Original Townsite Waterfront Park Replat, for review and
recommendation to the Kenai Peninsula Borough; and
WHEREAS, the proposed plat will replat Tract H as Tract H1 while leaving the parcel boundary
unchanged, and will vacate and replace existing easements with new easements that reflect current
and planned utility locations and preserve public access to the boat launch; and
WHEREAS, existing easements on the property were established through previous plats and do
not fully correspond with current and planned utility locations;
WHEREAS, this platting action is intended to prepare the property for future development of the
South Harbor Uplands, including improvements to parking and on -site circulation, a new
Harbormaster's Office, extension of the existing boardwalk, and creation of lease lots; and
WHEREAS, Tract H is located east of Fourth Avenue, north of Van Buren Street, and south of
South Harbor Street; and
WHEREAS, the northern portion is zoned Harbor Commercial, the southern portion is zoned
Park, and the property is currently used for parking and access to the south launch boat ramp and
transient floats M, N, 0, and P, as well as public restrooms and the Seward Mariner's Memorial;
and
WHEREAS, the property currently has access to City utilities, the proposed plat does not create
a new public right-of-way, and no new subdivision improvements are proposed as part of this
platting action; and
WHEREAS, all conditions required by Seward City. Code § 16.01.015, Conditions to plat
approval, were met; the property owners within 300 feet of the requested replat were notified of
the proposed subdivision, and the property was posted with public notice signage; and
WHEREAS, it is the Planning and Zoning Commission's responsibility to act in an advisory
capacity to the Kenai Peninsula Borough regarding subdivision plat proposals within the City of
Seward.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2026-012
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA:
Section 1. The Commission hereby recommends that, in accordance with Seward City Code
Section 16.01.015(B), the Kenai Peninsula Borough approve the preliminary plat of Tract H,
Seward Original Townsite Waterfront Park Replat, creating Tract H1, Waterfront Park Replat, with
the associated easement vacations and dedications.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION THIS 1sT DAY OF
SEPTEMBER, 2026.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT: Wilder, Hornseth
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
THE cX OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Clare Sullivan, Chai
Verney, Hubbard, Charbonneau, Siptrott, Sullivan
Kris Peck
City Clerk
(City Seal)
3,40
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Planning and Zoning Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
Through: Daniel Meuninck, Community Development Director
From: Courtney Bringhurst, AICP, Planner
Agenda Item: Resolution 2026-012, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of
the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending City Council and Kenai
Peninsula Borough approval of the preliminary plat of Tract H,
Seward Original Townsite, Waterfront Park Replat; creating Tract
H1, Waterfront Park Replat with associated vacations and
dedications
Background and justification:
Attached for the Commission's review and recommendation to the Kenai Peninsula Borough
Planning Commission is a preliminary plat prepared by R&M Consultants, Inc. on behalf of the
City of Seward for Tract H, Seward Original Townsite Waterfront Park Replat (Plat 2012-4).
The proposed plat will replat Tract H as Tract H1; the parcel boundary will remain unchanged.
The plat proposes to vacate existing easements and replace them with new easements that reflect
current and planned utility locations while preserving public access to the boat launch.
Tract H is located east of Fourth Avenue, north of Van Buren Street, and south of South Harbor
Street. The property is split -zoned, with the northern portion zoned Harbor Commercial and the
southern portion zoned Park. The property is currently used for parking and access to the south
launch boat ramp and transient floats M, N, 0, and P, as well as public restrooms and the Seward
Mariner's Memorial.
The City initiated a design process for improvements to the South Harbor Uplands in accordance
with the Municipal Land Management Plan. The proposed improvements include formalized
parking and on -site circulation, a new Harbormaster's Office, extension of the existing boardwalk
concept into the South Uplands, and creation of lease lots to encourage economic development.
This platting action is intended to prepare the property for future development of those
improvements.
Existing easements on the property were established through previous plats and do not fully
correspond with current and planned utility locations. The proposed plat would vacate those
easements and dedicate new easements for utilities and continued public access to the boat launch.
No public right-of-way is proposed for vacation, and the proposed changes would maintain access
to adjacent properties and the waterfront.
Seward City Code §16.01.015(A) states that "No preliminary or final plat for the subdivision or
resubdivision of land located within the city limits shall be approved by the city unless all of the
required improvements set forth in section 16.05.010 are provided for by the subdivider, owner,
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proprietor or developer in the manner described in sections 16.05.015."
The property currently has access to City utilities, and the proposed plat does not create a new
public right-of-way. Therefore, no new subdivision improvements are proposed as part of this
platting action.
All conditions required by Seward City Code §16.01.015(C), Conditions to plat approval, were
met. The property owners within 300 feet of the requested preliminary plat were notified of the
proposed subdivision, and the property was posted with public notice signage.
In accordance with City and Borough requirements, the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission
must review and comment on a preliminary plat of land located within the City of Seward before
submittal to the Borough for approval.
Subdivision Review:
Zoning: The property is split -zoned, with the north portion zoned Harbor Commercial and the
south portion zoned Park.
Size: The property is approximately 8.7 acres.
Utilities: Public water and sewer service are provided to the parcel. Existing utility easements
are proposed for vacation and replacement with newly dedicated easements corresponding to
current and planned utility locations.
Existing Use: Parking and access to the south launch boat ramp and transient floats M, N, 0,
and P. The location of public restrooms and the Seward Mariner's Memorial.
Access: The property fronts Fourth Avenue and provides access to the public boat launch. The
proposed vacation does not include right-of-way; the application states that adjacent properties
retain legal and physical access through constructed rights -of -way and that public boat -launch
access will be preserved through a rededicated easement.
Flood Zone: The southern edge of the property is located within a FEMA-mapped VE flood zone,
and portions along the west side and northern edge are located within the AE flood zone. The
primary area proposed for development is outside these FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard
Areas.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Vol 1, Chapter 2.2.12.4
Plan: • "Extend boardwalk to the South harbor uplands."
Vol 1, Chapter 3.1.1.2
• "Update and expand infrastructure for commercial and industrial
properties that are currently underdeveloped."
• "Improve and expand maritime facilities."
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Vol 1, Chapter 3.5.1
• "Maintain a thriving port of Seward through harbor improvements,
infrastructure expansion, and implementation of management
plans."
Vol 1, 3.5.1.1
• "Encourage the growth and development of an efficient, functional
boat harbor that meets Seward's commercial and recreational
needs."
Strategic Plan: N/A
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Staff Comments
Department
Comments
No
Comment
N/A
Building Department
X
Fire Department
X
Public Works
Department
X
Harbor Department
X
Police Department
X
Electric Department
X
Telecommunications
X
Property owners within three hundred (300) feet of the proposed platting action were notified of
this public hearing. Public notice signs were posted on the property and all other public hearing
requirements of Seward City Code § 15.01.040 were complied with.
At the time of this publication the Community Development Department has received no public
inquiries. If any correspondence is received after publication of this agenda statement, it will be
submitted to the Commissioners for their review.
If the Commission finds the proposed preliminary plat meets the requirements in Seward City
Code Titles 15 and 16, they will recommend approval to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning
Commission.
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Context Map
AE: Areas with a 1/0 annual chance of
Flooding and specific base flood
elevations
VE: Coastal areas with 1% or greater
chance of flooding and and additional
hazard associated with storm waves
X: Areas of minimal flood hazard
Preliminary Plat Application Property Map
RES 2026-012 - Preliminary plat of Tract H, Seward Original Townsite, Waterfront
Park Replat; creating Tract H1, Waterfront Park Replat with associated vacations
and dedications
Location: 1130 Fourth Avenue
Parcel #: 14734008
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