HomeMy WebLinkAbout04042023 LAYDOWN Griswold Spring Creek Beach 230404 LAYDOWN GRISWOLD COMMENTS
March 31, 2023
Dear P&Z Commission,
I support Resolution 2023-007 Spring Creek Park and Campground to:
Update Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan
Increase day-use parking
Easement to maintain beach access
Plat area into one parcel
Rezone to Park to preserve as a public recreation area
I would like to suggest a few more initial Whereases that I believe will strengthen the
Resolution:
"WHEREAS, the 2022 Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan recommends
separating the Spring Creek Campground from the docks, boat basin, breakwater, and rest of
Parcel 14524040, retaining the campground and maintaining the public access to the beach;
and
"WHEREAS, Spring Creek Campground is the only municipal campground on the east
side of the bay; and
WHEREAS, Spring Creek Beach is very popular with visitors and locals; and
WHEREAS, protecting the campground and beach now for public recreation by
replatting and rezoning from Industrial to Park is even more crucial as the surrounding area
develops; and"
As noted in my January 27, 2023 email, the public's access to Alaska waters is protected.
Perhaps the original sixth Whereas could be restated as:
"Whereas, although the Alaska Constitution protects the public's access to beaches
below the ordinary high tide, obtaining a public easement from property owners to the north
will further protect the public's right of access and use of the beach, and ability to connect to
the sections owned by the City of Seward; and"
Please consider a final Whereas:
"Whereas, the other municipal campgrounds are named "Waterfront Park and
Campground" and "Forest Acres Park and Campground", the official name will be "Spring Creek
Park and Campground."
Please consider modifying Section 1 as follows:
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a) Designate additional day use parking in the Spring Creek Park and Campground with
signage
b) Request an easement from the property owners to the north of Spring Park and
Campground to clarify and further protect legal beach access for the public
c) Plat the Spring Creek Park and Campground area into one parcel and rezone as Park.
d) Officially rename as Spring Creek Park and Campground
Map on page 36:
Note that the public considers Spring Creek Beach is ALL of the sandy beach north to the
rock wall by the old sawmill loading dock on city-owned Parcel 14533016. The proposed
boundary excludes this last part of the beach. Please consider extending Spring Creek Park and
Campground to include this popular section. Especially when there is a north wind, the rock
wall provides a welcome windbreak and place to enjoy the sun and play in the sand. Since the
owner of this section is the City of Seward, the entire parcel could be included, or the boundary
could be extended due west from the northernmost point of KPB Parcel 14533021 during the
replat.
Best,
Carol Griswold
Inside city limits
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