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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01072020 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes January 7, 2020 Volume 7, Page 378 CALL TO ORDER The January 7, 2020 regular meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. OPENING CEREMONY Commissioner Charbonneau led the pledge of allegiance to the flag ROLL CALL There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Gary Seese Nathanial Charbonneau Tom Swann Martha Fleming Craig Ambrosiani Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Also Present Andy Bacon, Planning Assistant Excused Kelli Hatfield CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—none APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Swann/Ambrosiani) Approve the agenda and consent agenda Motion Passed as amended Unanimous The December 3, 2019 regular meeting minutes were approved on the consent agenda SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Administration Report Andy Bacon updated the Commission on the following business items • Council Chambers has been outfitted with upgraded AV equipment over the past few months. The capability to live stream and archive meetings has recently been added, and this meeting is live streaming on Youtube and can be viewed on the City's Youtube channel. • The Alaska Planning conference is scheduled on February 9th— 1 1 th at the Downtown Anchorage Marriott, and staff are looking forward to attending. Commissioner 111 training takes place on Sunday the 9th, and conference sessions are the 10`h and 11th • Please note that there are two upcoming vacancies on the Commission for seats held by Vice Chair Martha Fleming and Chair Cindy Ecklund. Terms expire at the end of City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes January 7, 2020 Volume 7, Page 379 February. • You all should have been given APOC forms which are due to the Clerk's office by April 15th • The new City Website launched today Other Reports,Announcements,and Presentations-None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2020-01 Granting A Conditional Use Permit To Polar Seafoods To Allow Membrane Structures To Be Used As Temporary Structures To Serve As An Employee Campground On Lot 2a, Block 9,Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision Within The Industrial Zoning District Bacon stated that this application to use membrane structures for an employee campground is materially the same as one that was submitted in 2015 that was approved for a 5 year term. Bacon discussed the size, scope, and duration of the proposed campground. Bacon discussed the surrounding land uses at SMIC, and stated that all noticing requirements were met. Bacon summarized the citizen and staff comments received prior to the meeting. Chair Ecklund opened public hearing on this item Carol Griswold, inside city, cited concerns that the campground may not comply with OSHA regulations, and stated that the CUP should require OSHA compliance. Griswold cited concerns about the present condition of the site, and discussed several OSHA requirements that she believed were not previously being met by the applicant. Griswold cited security and safety concerns inherent in the use of membrane structures in an industrial area. Motion (Swann/Ambrosiani) Approve Resolution 2020-01 Granting A Conditional Use Permit To Polar Seafoods To Allow Membrane Structures To Be Used As Temporary Structures To Serve As An Employee Campground On Lot 2A, Block 9, Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision Within The Industrial Zoning District Swann asked about OSHA requirements for housing. Bacon stated that the application was reviewed for land use compliance, and staff did not analyze the campground for OSHA compliance, as the City does not enforce OSHA regulations. Ecklund noted that annual life safety inspections may reveal any inadequacies with conditions, and relaxed the rules to allow the applicant to answer questions from the commission. Bill Fejes, permit applicant, stated that the facility has been OSHA inspected a couple times since the initial permit application 5 years ago. Fejes stated that the facility has been complaint with any requirements made by OSHA or the Seward Fire Department. Commission discussed the permit in relation to the lease terms on City ofSeward,Alaska Seward Planning& Zoning Commission Minutes January 7, 2020 Volume 7„Page 380 the property. Ambrosiani asked if staff had noted any violations of conditions of the past conditional permit, to which Bacon responded that there was nothing on file indicating any compliance issues. Fleming recalled that at the discussion five years ago the sentiment of the Commission was to allow membrane structures for a fixed time period until the applicant could consider more permanent improvements. Commission discussed setting a fixed time limit on this application. Motion (Swann/Charbonneau) Amend Resolution 2020-01 to add Section F. 11. this Conditional Use Permit will expire when the current City of Seward land lease expires. Motion passed AYES: Seese, Fleming, Swann, Ambrosiani,Charbonneau,Ecklund NOES: Main Motion passed as amended AYES: Swann, Seese, Charbonneau, Ambrosiani,Ecklund NOES: Fleming Resolution 2020-02 Recommending City Council Approval Of The Rezoning Of Forest Acres Lots 00, PP, And XX, From Single Family Residential (R1) To Multi Family Residential(R3) Bacon discussed the area and location of the proposed rezone. Bacon stated that the property owners are applying for this land use change in order to help address a shortage of housing in Seward. Bacon read the code definition for the R3 zoning district. Bacon described the present and surrounding land uses, and their zoning designations. Bacon stated that public noticing requirements for this item have been met. Bacon stated that staff was contacted by the owner of Lot NN, immediately adjacent to the subject area, and they stated that they would like their property added to the resolution. Bacon stated that staff received a letter from the public discussing issues relating to spot zoning that is included in the packet. Bacon stated that City staff reviewed this application and no objections were received. Planning staff noted that if approved this would result in mixed zoning on that particular block, and recommends that all parcels on that block have the same zoning designation. Chair Ecklund opened public hearing on this item Carol Griswold, inside city, discussed spot zoning issues and stated that Seward City Code standards were not aligned with more recently adopted Alaska Court decisions outlining more comprehensive criteria for evaluating land use changes. Griswold stated concerns that approval of this application would leave isolated property zoned R-1. Jim McCracken, outside city, stated that he is the applicant for the rezoning and has lived in City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes January 7, 2020 Volume 7, Page 381 and been a property owner in this neighborhood all his life. McCracken discussed some of the history of the neighborhood, and stated that it could use some growth and new development. McCracken stated that the adjacent property owner is interested in joining this application, and that it may be necessary to delay a decision on this question so that the correct notice can be given to the public. Motion (Charbonneau/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2020-02 Recommending City Council Approval Of The Rezoning Of Forest Acres Lots 00, PP, And XX, From Single Family Residential (R1) To Multi Family Residential(R3) Charbonneau agreed with concerns brought up in commissioner Hatfield's letter that the Commission should consider the future land use plan. Fleming stated that she supports this application because the area would benefit from development. Fleming stated that the comprehensive planning process was done poorly and that the commission should not be strictly held to the current plan. Fleming stated that rezoning the whole block does make more sense, so that it may be beneficial to delay decision on this item until next meeting. Ecklund agreed that this item would need to be looked at the next meeting. Ecklund asked about the location of Lot BJ, and asked to confirm that notices were sent to that property owner. Bacon confirmed that notice was sent to the owner of Lot BJ. Bacon stated that after the owner of NN came forward wanting to join the rezoning application, he located the email address of the owner of Lot BJ and forwarded the public notice via email, but had no response prior to this meeting. Ecklund relaxed the rules to ask questions of the applicant. McCracken discussed the application contents with the Commission. Swann asked if Lot BJ could be added to the rezoning application without their knowledge or consent. Bacon affirmed, stating that according to the zoning code, the area to be rezoned needed signatures of at least 51%of property owners, which would still be met if both Lots BJ and NN were added to the application. Swann stated that when this is brought back, he would like to see Lot BJ added so the block would have uniform zoning if passed by Council. Motion (Fleming/Charbonneau) Postpone Resolution 2020-02 until the February 4,2020 regular meeting Motion passed AYES: Ambrosiani, Charbonneau, Fleming,Seese,Swann,Ecklund NOES: UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS Commission Set work session topic for January 21, 2020 as "Review the 2030 Comprehensive Plan" City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning& Zoning Commission Minutes January 7, 2020 Volume 7, Page 382 Commission Comments: Fleming- Stated that she would not be seeking reappointment to the Planning and Zoning commission after her term expires at the end of February. Charbonneau-No Comment Seese- Stated that he would not be able to attend the January 21 work session Swann- Stated that he heard there was a proposal to move forward with beach restoration near the end of Jefferson, and he looked forward to seeing that project initiated Ambrosiani-Thanked the public for attending and participating in the meeting Ecklund-Thanked Commissioner Fleming,and thanked staff Citizens' Comments: Tony Baclaan, inside city, thanked Commissioner Fleming for bringing up difficulties in the comprehensive planning process. Baclaan stated that he looked to people who had been here a long time for advice. Baclaan stated that it was concerning to hear that the Comprehensive planning process was not well attended and looks forward to a better process. Baclaan emphasized the importance of the Comp. Plan's role in managing and dealing with density, given the low percentage of privately held land in the state. Baclaan stated the importance of discussing how we want to manage density and where we want to see higher or lower density in the City, given the often discussed issues surrounding lack of housing availability. Baclaan stated that he is looking forward to hearing people's thoughts on this topic. Carol Griswold, inside city, stated that she appreciated the Commission's movement away from tents for employee housing in campgrounds. Griswold stated that she would further like to see the City moving away from employee campgrounds in favor of more permanent housing. In reference to the zoning discussion, Griswold stated that it makes a lot of sense to have uniform zoning on a block as long as it is supported by a majority of property owners. Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments Ecklund stated that the Commission did spend a lot of time working on the recent update to the Comprehensive plan, but that the plan they got from the consultants was not very good. Ecklund asked staff to look into other Kenai Peninsula cities' Comprehensive Plans and what consulting firms participated. ADJOURNMENT (Seese) meeting was adjourned at 8:l 0 PM ,Z4-7 j Andy Bacon ..0.514,,„ Cindy L cklund .•Planning Assistant� ';t Of SEfle_ `�4i. Chair iio ,(City Seal) • ?G rya' "• of s I., 0 �. , '.'&- OF r�-Y'��