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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04012014 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 1, 2014 Volume 7, Page 73 Call to Order The April 1, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Cindy Ecklund. Opening Ceremony Commissioner McClure led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Janet Coulter Christopher Edgar Bixler McClure comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician Excused was: Martha Fleming City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • Glenz reported that the City Manager and Assistant City Manager were traveling to Washington, D. C. and Juneau on City business. • A Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting was scheduled to be held in the City Council Chambers at 6 p.m. on April 15. • A special Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 15 and would be held in the Seward Community Library & Museum, upstairs meeting room. The main agenda item was the draft Mobile Vendor Code. • A Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area board meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 7. Glenz planned to attend. • The Community Development Department would be participating in the annual Permitting & Agency Information Day on April 17. The event was scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in irur the Seward Community Library& Museum. • Glenz reported that auditors were working with the City of Seward, and noted the additional tables and materials that were present at the meeting. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 1, 2014 Volume 7, Page 74 Other Reports,Announcements & Presentations—None Citizens' Comments on any subject except those items scheduled for Public Hearing—None Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (McClure/Coulter) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: March 4, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes Special Items - Election of Chair and Vice Chair Glenz explained the procedure for the annual election and the terms. Glenz noted that the election was postponed from the March regular meeting, due to the absence of Commissioners. Ecklund opened the floor to accept nominations for Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion (McClure/Coulter) Close the nominations for Chair and elect Commissioner Ecklund as Chair for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Ecklund opened the floor to accept nominations for Vice Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion (Ecklund/Edgar) Close the nominations for Vice Chair and elect Bixler McClure as Vice Chair for the Planning and Zoning Commission. New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 1, 2014 Volume 7, Page 75 lbw Resolution 2014-04 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, providing a recommendation to City Council on the nomination for disposal of City-owned Lot 1, Block 6, Seward Small Boat Harbor Subdivision Glenz explained the history of the property and its configuration in the harbor area along Fourth Avenue. Glenz directed Commissioners to a map in the meeting packet and described the uses of various lots surrounding the parcel known commonly as the"Sliver." Glenz directed Commissioners to a wall map and pointed out the approximate locations of various utilities and structures. Glenz also pointed out an easement across the parcel for a fire lane and access in the area of J-Dock. Some City infrastructure, including a portion of the east harbor breakwater, was on Alaska Railroad property. The "Sliver" parcel could, upon approval, be disposed of in trade with the Alaska Railroad. Glenz said the specific details of any negotiations with the Alaska Railroad were not known. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Ron Wille, a resident outside the city, asked for clarification about who owned three nearby parcels. Wille also asked about potential access issues and any impacts to parking that might be created by the proposed property disposal. Glenz responded, indicating which parcels were owned by the City of Seward and which parcels in the area were owned by the Alaska Railroad. Parking on Alaska Railroad property would be managed by the Alaska Railroad, Glenz said. Wille asked about an "L" shaped parcel owned by the City that was directly south of the "Sliver"parcel, and whether there were any intended uses. Glenz said she did not know what specific plans may exist for the surrounding City properties. Motion (McClure/Coulter) Approve Resolution 2014-04 Ecklund asked if the proposed recommendation for disposal should be amended to indicate specific properties or encroachments that might be included in a disposal/exchange. Glenz said the Commission would be providing a recommendation for disposal, but the Council and City Administration would consider the specific properties that might be ,` included. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 1, 2014 Volume 7, Page 76 Edgar commented that the fire lane, the setback for the used oil receptacle and other measurements may need to be indicated as the property disposal and development plans progress. Coulter asked how the City might benefit from the proposed disposal of the "Sliver" parcel. Glenz said the parcel was too narrow to meet normal development standards. The Alaska Railroad had intended to develop a plaza in that area of the harbor, and ownership of the parcel could provide legal access to other Alaska Railroad property. Ecklund noted that the size of the "Sliver" parcel was 13,632 square feet. She asked if other properties, of similar size, might be of benefit to the municipality in trade. Glenz said the City and the Alaska Railroad had entered into agreements for uses of various properties, including the north portion of the "Sliver." All parcels that might be considered for an equitable exchange would be determined by City Administration, Glenz said. Ecklund asked if action on Resolution 2014-04 could be postponed until more information was provided by Administration. ai Glenz said she did not know what additional information City Administration might `" indicate about negotiations if action on the resolution was postponed. Ecklund said the proposed property disposal was important and required two public hearings. Ecklund said she did not know if the City would be receiving market value, or equitable value, in exchange for the parcel. Ecklund said she felt there was not enough information for the Commission to provide a recommendation. Edgar noted the importance of the J-Dock access and whether the easement would be maintained. Glenz said the access issue was noted in the recommendations and should be protected by easement, Glenz said. McClure said the primary issue before the Commission was the recommendation for disposal,not the specifics of any negotiations that might result. Coulter said she felt that the Commission was being asked to provide a recommendation without the benefit of full information. Glenz reiterated that the Commission would only be making a recommendation on the "Sliver" parcel, and that the parcel could not realistically be developed by any private owner. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 1, 2014 Volume 7, Page 77 Ir. Ecklund asked if a new plat might come before the Commission. Glenz said she had not seen a draft plat, but said she believed a local surveyor was working with the Alaska Railroad to produce one. Coulter said parking was critical in the harbor area. She asked if parking might be lost as a result of the"Sliver" disposal. Glenz said the Alaska Railroad could provide parking for its customers or lease holders, but on-site parking was not required within the Harbor Commercial Zoning District. McClure asked for clarification regarding the parking that was currently being provided on the"Sliver"parcel. Glenz said the parcel included a parking lane for Alaska Railroad lease holders, but a portion of the parking was on City-owned land. Some of the various parcel boundaries surrounding the "Sliver" were platted in unconventional configurations as a result of the 1964 earthquake and the rapid reconstruction, Glenz noted. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business—None New Business Items— Resolution 2014-05 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending City Council Approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission Priorities from April 2014 to April 2015 Glenz noted that the Commission had worked with the City Council to establish the priorities, and the priorities were to go before Council for approval on April 28, 2014. Motion (McClure/Edgar) Approve Resolution 2014-05 Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Informational Items and Reports (No action required) FEMA Region X Newsletter 2014 Planning& Zoning Meeting Schedule 6.. April 15 Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting Reminder City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 1, 2014 Volume 7, Page 78 April 15 Special Meeting Reminder Commission Comments McClure thanked the Commission for electing him as Vice Chair and thanked the members of the public who attended the meeting. Ecklund expressed thanks to the public for providing input and thanked staff for the meeting preparations. Citizens' Comments -None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. ••4111 4. /111,111. F wa Atwoo , Ci /ndy und 'laruung Tec ician Chai (City Seal) •4‘ Of S e 14, 414'4% t't • • : I • •.. 4 " • f. % _AV 1.11).7`..."4"..7. 1 4%, "4. -.9 ....