HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2011-037 Sponsored by: Oates
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2011 -037
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, RECOMMENDING KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH APPROVAL
OF THE WATERFRONT PARK PRELIMINARY REPLAT WHICH
ESTABLISHES THE OUTER BOUNDARIES OF THE WATERFRONT
PARK, INCLUDES THE VACATION OF ALL INTERIOR UNDEVELOPED
RIGHTS -OF -WAY, EASEMENTS AND INTERIOR PLATTED LOT LINES;
DEDICATES ADDITIONAL RIGHTS -OF -WAY AND EASEMENTS;
LOCATED PREDOMINATELY WITHIN THE PARK ZONING DISTRICT
WHEREAS, administration hired Cline and Associates Land Surveyors to prepare a
preliminary plat of the City owned lands, establishing the perimeter boundary of the historical area
commonly known as Waterfront Park; and
WHEREAS, Cline and Associates has submitted the preliminary plat to be known as Seward
Original Townsite, Waterfront Park Replat; and
WHEREAS, this platting action will vacate interior lot lines, undeveloped Rights -of -Way,
and undeveloped utility easements creating eight (8) parcels totaling 106.97 acres; and
WHEREAS, this platting action will extend or dedicate the Rights -of -Way for Ballaine
Boulevard, Jefferson, Madison, "B" and "C" Streets, providing public access to Resurrection Bay
and provide legal dedication for the north end of Ballaine Boulevard to Fourth Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Cline and Associates has worked diligently with City staff to protect and
provide easements for existing and planned utilities throughout the Waterfront Park replat; and
WHEREAS, City staff have reviewed, commented and support the proposed Waterfront
Park replat; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of the area included in the Waterfront Park is currently zoned
Park (P); approximately 6 tenths of an acre is zoned Harbor Commercial (HC); this replat does not
create any non - conforming structures or lots within the current zoning districts; and
WHEREAS, no subdivision installation agreement is necessary because all parcels are
currently serviced by municipal roads, water, sewer, electric and other utilities; and
WHEREAS, the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and
approved Resolution 2011 -04, recommending the Seward City Council and the Kenai Peninsula
Borough approval of the replat.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2011 -037
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BYTHE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council recommends the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning
Commission approve the vacation of all undeveloped interior Rights -of -Way as proposed by the
replat.
Section 2. The Seward City Council further approves the dedication of Rights -of -way for
Jefferson Street, Madison Street, B Street, C Street and Ballaine Boulevard as proposed by the
Waterfront Park replat.
Section 3. The Seward City Council further recommends the Kenai Peninsula Borough
Planning Commission approve the Waterfront Park Replat.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect 30 days after passage and posting as required by
Seward City Code § 7.05.145.
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PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 23
day of May 2011.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Willard E. Dunham, Mayor
AYES: Valdatta, Bardarson, Smith, Keil, Shafer, Casagranda, Dunham
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
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I _i�.i _ _ ✓ • E • pp%
ohanna Kinney, CMC .• ' , ." Q� • ••
City Clerk :Q / :.. ,d ,•..
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City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: May 23, 2011 {°Fsey,
Through Phillip Oates, City Manager
From: Donna Glenz, Planner
Agenda Item: Resolution 2011- Ulrecommending City Council and Kenai Peninsula Borough
approval of the Waterfront Park Replat
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
Attached for the Council's approval and recommendation to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning
Commission is the Waterfront Park preliminary plat submitted by Cline and Associates on behalf of the
City of Seward. In accordance with Seward City Code (SCC) 16.01.015(B) "no preliminary plat of City -
owned property may be submitted to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission for approval
without the prior consent of the City."
Cline and Associates was hired to survey and establish the boundary of the area commonly known as
Waterfront Park. This replat contains an area totaling approximately 106.97 acres and is located along the
Seward waterfront from Railway and Sixth Avenue north to the South Harbor Uplands. The majority of
the area has been known since the 1964 earthquake as Waterfront Park. Also included are the areas
dedicated as Pat Williams Park, Waterfront Tot Lot and the baseball fields. This entire area known as
Waterfront Park is owned by the City.
This platting action will vacate all interior lot lines, undeveloped Rights -of -Way and undeveloped utility
easements. The replat also dedicates an 80 foot Right -of -Way extension of Ballaine Boulevard, providing
legal dedication of Ballaine Boulevard through to Fourth Avenue. This replat also dedicates the Rights -
of -Way extension of the Jefferson Street, Madison Street, "B" and "C" Streets, providing legal dedication
to the existing public access easement along the entire waterfront.
The development of this replat has been a goal of the public and City staff for many, many years.
Replatting of the Waterfront Park area has also been on the Planning and Zoning Priority List as approved
by Council for many years.
At the time of the 1964 earthquake and tsunami this entire area was inundated with water and debris.
Following the earthquake this area has been established as a safety zone open area.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW:
Zoninji:
This replat contains Two (2) zoning districts. The large area known as Waterfront Park is predominantly
zoned Park (P). A very small area of the Park is located directly east of the parcel containing the Harbor
Lights Apartments. This area is currently used for motor home camping, contains approximately six
tenths of an acre and is zoned Harbor Commercial (HC). The north portion of the South Harbor Uplands
is also zoned Harbor Commercial (HC). The south portion of the South Harbor Uplands is zoned Park
(P).
3
Once the platting action has been completed and recorded the Community Development staff intends to
bring a rezone recommendation before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Council to "clean-
up" the small Harbor Commercial area located east of the Harbor Lights Apartments. This replat does not
create any non - conforming lots or structures.
Utilities:
The properties are served by all necessary utilities; therefore a subdivision agreement is not required. The
proposed platting action provides utility easements for all existing utilities and current accesses.
Existing Uses:
The entire Waterfront Park area has been used as a camp grounds and open space safety zone with very
limited infrastructure and permanent structures. The Waterfront Park open space safety zone has greatly
assisted in the City of Seward Class 7 Community Rating System accreditation with the FEMA National
Flood Insurance Program.
Flood Zone:
Much of this area is located within a Coastal Velocity Flood Hazard Area.
INTENT:
Survey and establish the boundary of the area commonly known as Waterfront Park.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this agenda statement is consistent with the Seward
City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of
Procedures or Other Plans or Policies:
Yes No N/A
1. Comprehensive Plan (2020) X
2.0 Community Vision and Values for 2020
Recreation:
We value diverse, year- round, indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities and facilities for residents
and visitors of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.
(Bullet 4, page 12) Protect open space by ensuring that Waterfront Park is platted, zoned and dedicated
for park purposes in perpetuity.
Public Safety:
We value a safe community and a feeling of security.
3.6.1. (page 25) Improve, expand and diversify year -round parks and recreational opportunities for
residents and visitors.
3.6.1.1 (page 25) (Bullets 4) Develop a landscape plan for Waterfront Park that provides for additional
green space and vacates existing lot lines and rights -of -way.
Yes No N/A
2. Strategic Plan (1999) X
Recreation and Leisure (page 12)
We provide diverse, year- round, indoor and outdoor recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities
and facilities for residents and visitors of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Goals and Objectives:
• Beautify Waterfront Park
* Develop a landscaping plan for Waterfront Park which provides for additional green space.
• Protect Waterfront Park Open Space
* Maintain Park Zoning designation throughout Waterfront Park
f.�
Yes No N/A
3. All Hazard Mitigation Plan (April 2010) X _
The Waterfront Park area is noted in the All Hazard Mitigation Plan in many places as a potential hazard
area for storm surges, Tsunami inundation, and potential earthquake hazard area. The plan recommends
continued protection and erosion control of the waterfront area and to maintain the area as an open safety
zone.
FISCAL NOTE:
Costs for surveying were paid in 2010. Filing fees to the Kenai Peninsula Borough for the replat are not
to exceed $500.00 and will be paid in 2011 budget.
Approved by Finance Department: .uo' ..
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes: X No:
Staff Comments:
Community Development staff has held several meetings with department heads to review and discuss
this platting action. All concerns have been addressed and all City department heads recommend
approval of this preliminary replat.
Public Comment:
Property owners within three hundred (300) feet of the proposed platting action were notified of the
Planning and Zoning 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 the Planning and Zoning Public Hearing the Community Development Department had
received two written comments. The first was a letter of support from the adjacent property owner to the
Pat Williams Park area of the Waterfront Park which also included many suggestions for future projects in
the park. The second is a request for more information from the adjacent property owner at the Harbor
Lights Apartments. While providing support for the Waterfront Park several questions were asked
regarding future plans for the area. Both of these inquiries were forwarded to the Parks and Recreation
Department for future planning projects.
Staff has also received several verbal questions and comments from the public. The questions were
clarification regarding the boundary of the Park. All questions were answered and followed by comments
of support for the Waterfront Park replat. No comments in objection to the replat were received.
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a Public Hearing April 5, 2011 and unanimously approved
Resolution 2011 -04 recommending the City Council approve the submittal of the Waterfront Park Replat
to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve City Council Resolution 2011- 03-1 recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough approval of the
Waterfront Park replat.