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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08042026 Planning & Zoning Minutes189 City of Seward, Alaska August 4, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes Volume 8, Page 189 CALL TO ORDER The August 4, 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 Nathaniel 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 Tyna Siptrott comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Daniel Meuninck, Community Development Director Jamie Crocker, Executive Planning Assistant Kris Peck, 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 Hubbard noted a correction for spelling Ken Warner in the meeting minutes. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approve July 7, 2026, Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes 189 City of Seward, Alaska August 4, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes Volume 8, Page 190 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATION, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards — None City Administration Report Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck said the City Planner Courtney Bringhurst would be out for two weeks. He updated the Commission on the city budgets, the updated mural maps, and the Historic Walking Tour sites around town. Meuninck also floated some topics for the next work session and noted the Seward Seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission is still available. Hubbard asked if anything was on the wish list for the Community Development budget. Meuninck responded that the wayfinding services around Seward was a priority. He described how wayfinding would benefit visitors in Seward. The Commission and Meuninck continued to discuss the budget, a potential code enforcement officer, and signage for the pedestrian underpass along the Seward Highway. Other Reports and Announcements Report — None Presentations — None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2026-009, of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward Alaska, granting a conditional use permit to Major Marine Tours LLC to construct a third employee bunkhouse on Tract B, Leirer Industrial Subdivision, at 1804 Leirer Road within the Industrial (I) Zoning District [Quasi-judicial item. Commissioners may not discuss any items about this Resolution with the applicant, other commissioners, or the public] Motion (Charbonneau/Hornseth) Approve Resolution 2026-009 Meuninck summarized the proposed bunkhouse including occupancy, dimensions, parking, and development requirements. He referred to photos in the meeting packet. Colby Lawrence, applicant, spoke on behalf of Major Marine Tours. Lawrence summarized their ongoing efforts to create employee housing. These bunkhouses contributed to easing the housing crunch by creating these units for MMT seasonal employees. He noted the bunkhouses had contributed to a high return rate of employees. The employees enjoyed a fun summer with the gardening and socializing opportunities. 1 1 1 189 City ofSeward, Alaska August 4, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes Volume 8, Page 191 1 1 [Lawrence had 8:00 minutes remaining to use after the public hearing.] Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared and the public hearing was closed. Hubbard asked about square footage. Lawrence clarified it was two people per unit and each unit had their own restroom. There were two kitchens in this bunkhouse to accommodate demand for cooking. Sullivan liked the courtyard feel of the employee housing. She noted the third bunkhouse would provide a nice noise buffer. Hubbard questioned the setbacks adjacent to the street. Meuninck verified it was compliant for the industrial subdivision. The 10' setback was a special provision for that particular area. The Commission and Lawrence discussed how this bunkhouse would be a cookie cutter of the previous ones. This would also be the last one as there wasn't room for a fourth bunkhouse. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS —None NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Discuss work session topic for August 18, 2026 The next work session topics will be: Review draft of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application and Code update Develop a Future Land Use Map draft for the Comprehensive Plan update INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Reminder of upcoming P&Z Meetings Work Session on Tuesday, August 18, at 6:00 pm Regular meeting on Tuesday, September 1, at 7:00 pm FINAL PUBLIC COMMENTS — None 189 City ofSeward, Alaska August 4, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes Volume 8, Page 192 ADMINISTRATION AND COMMISSION COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO PUBLIC COMMENTS Charbonneau thanked everyone. Hubbard noted a recent CUP where there were people who said they didn't hear about it. She wondered if bigger issues might warrant more public notice. It would have been nice to make sure the public had full awareness. Sullivan thanked Community Development for all their hard work including the newsletter. She thanked the Major Marine Tours for providing seasonal housing for employees. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Kris Peck City Clerk tool ills ,,, ,so, of SEWq '• ss..• ;%V t`G•oOP O�TF%pO •( SEAL • ti 1 1