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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06072022 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Sewarct Alaska Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting June 7,2022 Minutes Volume 7,Page 540 CALL TO ORDER The June 7, 2022 regular meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Clare Sullivan. OPENING CEREMONY The commission led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Clare Sullivan presiding, and Vanessa Verhey Victoria Monaco Troy Staggs Comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Jason Bickling, Community Development Director Courtney Bringhurst, City Planner Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused—Hornseth, Charbonneau Absent—None Vacant—One CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Stephen Sowell, outside the city,wanted to speak about the reconsideration of Resolution 2022-009; he encouraged the commission to pass this resolution. He stated that city council had taken several steps towards addressing housing concerns in Seward,and this resolution would help solve the issue. Although this resolution was not the only answer to solving Seward's housing shortage, it would help. Sowell said he moved to Seward and had a family of five children; he hoped his children would have the opportunity to continue living in Seward as adults. Jim McCracken,outside the city,owned property near the Hemlock Subdivision property. He encouraged the commission to fail the reconsideration of Resolution 2022-009 because he didn't believe the math made sense; housing prices per square foot were around $250. Peggy Ventura, outside the city, owned property inside Seward. She did not support the reconsideration of Resolution 2022-009 and wished the property would remain a campground. She did not believe the city should be competing with private property ownership and development. She encouraged the commission to retain the campground property as it was so that this portion of City of Sewarct Alaska Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting June 7,2022 Minutes Volume 7, Page 541 nature could be preserved. She also didn't think that a lot of people realized that the Hemlock Subdivision being talked about was the Forest Acres Campground. Linda Corbin, inside the city, did not support turning the Forest Acres Campground into housing as the Hemlock Subdivision. She was greatly concerned with the scope of what was proposed;40 homes on this property was too much. She wondered how parking would be handled, because there was already a parking problem in town. She believed there should be improvements to existing infrastructure be addressed for the current residents first before a bunch of new houses were planned. Becky Dunn, inside the city, lived nearby the Forest Acres Campground. She was concerned that there were no minutes from the last P&Z meeting. She believed there were only five usable acres in the Forest Acres Campground that could reasonably be used for this housing development, and she didn't understand how 40 houses would fit. She was concerned about parking, snow removal, and traffic; she didn't think any housing could be considered affordable right now. Carol Griswold, inside the city, believed the city should not be competing with private developers, and it would be a sacrifice to turn Forest Acres Campground into housing. Her understanding was, after speaking with the borough, that the proposed replat being presented in the packet should be pretty close to final;the documents in the packet were incomplete. David Paperman, inside the city, believed the Forest Acres Campground should not be converted to housing; he said the city's comprehensive plan spoke directly against this concept. He didn't think there had been adequate public comment about this idea before the city started moving forward. Under today's building conditions, any homes built would be starting at a minimum of$400,000,which was not a starter home price. The infrastructure necessary to install water,sewer,and electric would take time and be costly.The priority should be put on multifamily homes within city limits, and single family homes outside the city where utilities would be less costly. Beverly Clausen, inside the city, lived in Forest Acres. She drove by the Forest Acres Campground almost every day and witnessed how much activity it got. She knew that area was prone to flooding when it rained, and thought the property would require a lot of fill to raise the ground level. She did not support the reconsideration of Resolution 2022-009, and she did not believe the reconsideration had been adequately communicated to the public. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Verhey/Monaco) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the May 3,2022 Regular Meeting Minutes. City of Seward,Alaska Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting June 7, 2022 Minutes Volume 7,Page 542 SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards—None City Administration Report. Community Development Director Jason Bickling included a report in the packet, but wanted to mention he attended a meeting with Senator Lisa Murkowski's staff regarding housing issues and infrastructure concerns. Today, the clean up of the Jesse Lee Home property had been completed, so work on creating the memorial park could now begin. City Planner Courtney Bringhurst said Community Development Department had created several brochures to assist the public with navigating permitting processes in regards to development and land use. Other Reports and Announcements—None Presentations—None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2022-013, A Resolution Of The Planning And Zoning Commission Of The City Of Seward,Alaska,Granting A Conditional Use Permit To Saltwater Safari Properties,LLC To Construct A 9-Plex Studio Apartment And Crew Housing, On Lots 5 & 6, Block 14, Original Townsite Of Seward Federal Addition; Located At 809 Third Avenue; Within An Auto Commercial (AC) Zoning District. Motion to Approve(Verhey/Staggs) Approve Resolution 2022-013 Bringhurst recited the information in the agenda statement, reviewed the conditions being proposed,and recommended approval. Andy Loertscher (telephonically) represented the applicant and apologized that he could not attend the meeting in person. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Carol Griswold, inside the city, thought the proposed building looked attractive. She requested that several items be considered as conditions, including: increased safety, required landscaping, and addressing the location of trash cans to help reduce the impact of this large building on the adjacent properties.Access for emergency responders,fuel deliveries,and visitors should not be dependent upon random parking spaces being vacant. She understood city code to City of Sewara Alaska Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting June 7, 2022 Minutes Volume 7, Page 543 describe alleyways as a secondary access to properties, like for fuel deliveries, and not as primary access points or locations for parking. Robert Gardner,inside the city,lived on B Street.He said he didn't have an opinion about the development of this property specifically, but had grown up in Seward and thought it was a wonderful place to live. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed Sullivan appreciated the citizen comment that addressed life safety access, and wished for that to be considered for this permit. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2022-014, A Resolution Of The Planning And Zoning Commission Of The City Of Seward, Alaska, Granting A Conditional Use Permit To Dwayne And Kari Atwood To Construct A Single-Family Dwelling On Lot 18, Block 14, Original Townsite Of Seward; Located At 305 Third Avenue; Within A Central Business (CB) Zoning District. Motion to Approve(Verhey/Monaco) Approve Resolution 2022-014 Bringhurst recited the information in the agenda statement, reviewed the conditions being proposed, and recommended approval. 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. Sullivan wondered, if this property were to be converted to a duplex in the future,how the parking would be adjusted; would the parking be in the alley or off the alley. In response, Bringhurst stated her understanding was the parking would be off the alley. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Items for Reconsideration Resolution 2022-009,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 Replat Of Fort Raymond Subdivision,Replat No. 1,Lot 12A; Located At 911 Hemlock Ave; Creating Hemlock Subdivision,Lots 1-40,And Tract A. Motion to Reconsider(Staggs/Verhey) Reconsider Resolution 2022-009 Sullivan wished to reconsider this resolution because there were a lot of unanswered questions from the community, especially with the proposal of having 40 homes on the property. City of Sewarct Alaska Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting June 7, 2022 Minutes Volume 7, Page 544 Motion to Reconsider Failed Yes: Staggs,Verhey No: Monaco, Sullivan NEW BUSINESS Sullivan requested that administration bring back a revised plan for the Hemlock Subdivision with a smaller footprint, something that proposed less than 40 homes in that area. Other New Business Items Set work session topic for June 21,2022. Bickling said the work session that was originally scheduled for June 14, 2022 had to be rescheduled to June 21, 2022, and the topic would be short term rentals. There would be another work session on June 28,2022 which would be to review the municipal land plan. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Reminder:June 14, 2022 Rescheduled(from May)Planning and Zoning work session at 6:00 p.m. Reminder:June 21, 2022 Planning and Zoning work session at 6:00 p.m. ' Reminder:July 5, 2022 Planning and Zoning regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS David Paperman, inside the city, requested the city host a public input forum to gather feedback about addressing housing ideas, including Forest Acres Campground, as well as about relocating the public works facility. He believed high density housing options within walking distance to grocery stores would help solve some problems. He requested that this topic be addressed in the fall and winter,rather than during the busy summer. Becky Dunn, inside the city, appreciated the commission's work and service. She wondered if other properties could be considered. Dunn would support creative ideas to incentivize year round renters. Peggy Ventura,outside the city,asked that no trees be cut down or removed until or unless final plans were made for the Forest Acres Campground. COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS Verhey appreciated everyone's input and feedback. Sullivan echoed that sentiment, and hoped that other solutions could be brought forward for solving the housing crunch. City of Sewarg Alaska Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting June 7,2022 Minutes Volume 7,Page 545 Bickling thanked everyone for speaking up and providing input;he especially appreciated when people offered creative solutions and ideas for consideration. There were many large employers in Seward that needed housing for employees, including the schools, the prison, and soon the coast guard. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. rends Ballow, C Clare ullivan City Clerk sow1111..,, Chair �q.'*, OF SF �.,. (City Sealfa 00RP.6 7015% • . SEAL • v