HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES2023-008 Public Access at Fourth of July Beach Sponsored by: Staff
Public Hearing: April 4, 2023
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 2023-008
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, RECOMMENDING THE CITY
COUNCIL UPDATE THE MUNICIPAL LANDS INVENTORY AND
MANAGEMENT PLAN TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO
IMPROVE AND DESIGNATE PARKING AND ACCESS AT THE
FOURTH OF JULY BEACH AND PLAT THE AREA INTO ONE PARCEL
AND REZONE TO PARK
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public work session
on January 24, 2023 to discuss ways to improve the parking and access at the Fourth of
July Beach; and
WHEREAS, the Seward City Code §2.30.225.b states that "the Commission
shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council regarding the Seward Zoning Code,
Seward Comprehensive Plan, Official Zoning Map, Official Land Use Plan Map, and
other duties as requested by the City Council"; and
WHEREAS, the Short-term Action Items on the 2022 Municipal Lands
Inventory and Management Plan recommends maintaining public access to Fourth of
July Beach,adding signage,dedicated parking spaces for RV's,and platting the area into
one parcel; and
WHEREAS,Fourth of July beach is a very popular recreational beach for visitors
and locals year-round; and
WHEREAS, the existing parking area is at an elevation that often floods and is
inaccessible,
WHEREAS, the parking area could be made more accessible year-round if fill
was brought in to raise the elevation of the existing parking area; and
WHEREAS, the number of visitors frequenting the beach during the summer
months exceeds the space in the existing parking area; and
WHEREAS, additional parking could be designated north of the lower parking
lot along the fence west of Sorrel Road, and on the northern side of Sorrel Road on Lot
4A-4, Block 7, by placing signage and boulders around the boundary; and
Seward Planning and Zoning Commission
Resolution No. 2023-008
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS,if platting action is taken in the future to divide the existing Lot 4A-
4, Block 7, a lot should be created for the specific use of parking for Fourth of July
Beach; and
WHEREAS,Delphin Street by plat is the designated public right-of-way(ROW)
and primary access to Fourth of July Beach,but is not adequately maintained year-round;
and
WHEREAS, Olga Street is maintained more regularly than Delphin Street, and
should be designated as a public ROW and the primary access to Fourth of July Beach
by platting action; and
WHEREAS,the coast guard currently leases parcel 14534034 and 14534035 for
an emergency response tower and has plans to continue those leases in perpetuity; and
WHEREAS,the long term plan for the use of the Fourth of July Beach area is as
a recreational area; and
WHEREAS, the City should plat those parcels as part of a larger parcel that
would encompass all of Fourth of July Beach within City limits; and
WHEREAS,when a larger parcel has been platted specifically for Fourth of July
Beach and its parking, that parcel should be rezoned to Park to protect the use of Fourth
of July Beach as a recreational area; and
WHEREAS, protecting the beach now for public recreation by platting and
rezoning from Industrial to Park is even more crucial as the surrounding area develops;
and
WHEREAS, officially naming Parks is important to the public, Fourth of July
Beach should be officially named, Fourth of July Beach Park.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning
Commission that:
Section 1. The City of Seward Planning and Zoning Commission recommends
the City Council add the following recommendations to the Municipal Lands Inventory
and Management Plan:
Seward Planning and Zoning Commission
Resolution No. 2023-008
Page 3 of 3
a) Raise and level the current parking space with fill
b) Designate additional parking north of the lower parking lot along the fence
west of Sorrel Road, and on Lot 4A-4, Block 7 located on the northern
side of Sorrel Road (place signage, boulders, painted lines, etc.)
c) Designate Olga Street through platting action as the primary right-of-way
access to Fourth of July Beach
d) Create a new lot on Lot 4A-4, Block 7 through platting action that will be
used solely as parking for Fourth of July Beach
e) Create one lot through platting action that encompasses the portion of land
that comprises Fourth of July Beach and rezone as Park
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission this 4th
day of April, 2023.
THE Y F SEWARD, ALASKA
Cl ullivan, C air
AYES: Charbonneau, Ulman, Homseth, Monaco, Staggs, Verhey, Sullivan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
VACANT: None
ATTEST:
Brenda Ballou, MMC k s eec. u
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Planning and Zoning Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: April 4, 2023
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
Through: Jason Bickling, Community Development Director
From: Courtney Bringhurst, Planner
Agenda Item: Resolution 2023-008: Recommending the City Council Update the Municipal
Lands Inventory and Management Plan to Include Recommendations to
Improve and Designate Parking and Access at the Fourth of July Beach and
Plat the Area into one Parcel and Rezone to Park
Background and justification:
On January 24, 2023, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public work session to discuss
ways to improve the parking and accessibility at the Fourth of July Beach.
The public and Commissioners voiced their concerns on the accessibility of the current parking
area. The lower elevation of this parking area causes it to fill with water at various times of the
year, making it difficult or impossible to use. Also, the size of the parking area is insufficient to
meet the excessive use the area receives during the summer months.
The Commission recommended that gravel and fill be brought in to raise and level the elevation of
the parking area with Sorrel Road, and to designate additional parking on the parcel of land to the
north of Sorrel Road (see the attached map for reference). It is recommended to designate this
additional parking area by creating a separate parcel through platting action. In the meantime, the
area can be designated for parking by putting up signage and marking the area with boulders
and/or paint.
It was also noted at the meeting that the official right-of-way (ROW) to access the Fourth of July
Beach, as designated by plat, is Delphin Street. However, this road is not consistently maintained
throughout the year. Consequently,visitors to Fourth of July Beach primarily use Olga Street,which
is currently platted as a private service road.The Commission recommended that either Olga Street
be officially designated as a public ROW, or Delphin Street should be better maintained.
Currently, the area within City limits comprising the Fourth of July Beach is made up of various
parcels. The Commission recommends platting the Fourth of July Beach area into one parcel and
then rezoning it as a Park in order to preserve its use as a recreational area.
Intent:
To provide recommendations to the City Council on various actions that can be taken to
improve the parking, access, and future use of the Fourth of July Beach area.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive 3.6.1.1 —"Improve existing and develop additional recreational infrastructure
Plan: Identify, protect, and preserve scenic and natural areas for recreational
enjoyment
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3.6.1.2
• Maintain public access to beaches by continuing City ownership of
tidelands and upland access points
• Develop an acquisition strategy to identify and secure sufficient and
suitable public lands for parks, sports fields, greenbelts, open space,
trails,trailhead parking and other public facilities, including easements to
access these public lands
• Ensure that Municipal land acquired for or converted to long-term or
permanent-park or recreational uses are officially dedicated as park land
Strategic Plan: N/A
Other:
Recommendation
Community Development Department staff recommends approval of Resolution 2023-008
recommending the City Council update the Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan to
include recommendations to improve and designate parking and access at the Fourth of July Beach
and plat the area into one parcel and rezone to Park
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