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Home My WebLink About08032010 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 3, 2010 Volume 6, Page 4 0 0 CaII to Order The August 3, 2010 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Roach'. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Heinrich led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Sandie Roach' presiding, and Tena Morgan Cindy Ecklund Steven Heinrich Frank DeMarco comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Christy Terry, Community Development Director Dwayne Atwood, Community Development Assistant .. City Administration Report Community Development Directory Christy Terry updated the Commission of the following business items: • The City Manager recently met with the Women's Division, General Board of Global Ministry to discuss the future of the former Wesley Rehabilitation Center. The owners are exploring several options, including demolition and refurbishment. • The Lieutenant Governor was scheduled to attend the August 6 Chamber of Commerce luncheon. • The Summit in Seward, scheduled for October 8, was being organized and included at least seven items related to the City of Seward's interests in river navigability and flood mitigation. The Kenai Peninsula Borough was the sponsor of the summit. • PACAB was continuing to work on items identified in the recent economic development survey. One item under consideration was the recommendation to create an ombudsman position to act as liaison between the City of Seward, the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses and help with business retention. Additional economic survey information was available. • The Seward City Council scheduled a work session on land policies and procedures for Thursday, August 5. • Terry provided information regarding a letter that had been sent to a local property owner who was planning to develop a single family home in a flood zone. She noted a floodplain ,,.,. development permit was required. The land owner would be able to appeal the Community Development Department's determination. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 3, 2010 Volume 6, Page 4 01 • The Library / Museum Project design team contract was to be presented at the next regular meeting of the Seward City Council. ..r • Terry said she intended to bring forward two ordinances at the next regular Planning & Zoning Commission meeting in September. The ordinances would have to do with allowing wind energy conversion systems and updating the sign code. • Anne Bailey, a contract employee who helped to update Title 15, gave notice that she was resigning her position with the City. Options for completing the work were to be evaluated. 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 (Ecklund/Heinrich) Approve the Agenda and the Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous Consent The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: Resolution 2010 -09 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of ej g g tY Seward, Recommending the Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval of the Federal Addition, Church Of The Nazarene Replat, Lots 1 -6, Block 13, Federal Addition, Located Between B and C Streets on Fourth Avenue June 1, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2010 -08 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission, Granting Lucky Wilson a Floodplain Variance from Seward City Code Chapter 15.25 Floodplain Management to Construct an Aircraft Hangar on Lot 9, Block 200 Seward Airport, 2102 Airport Road Terry explained the variance request included details about the low -flow velocity of the airport area and noted that the Kenai Peninsula Borough hydrologist had concerns that adding fill could potentially increase water velocity if flooding occurred. Terry also said the 2010 proposed FEMA flood maps place the airport hangars outside the special flood hazard area. There was no flooding in the hangar development area during the last three historic flooding events. Terry noted a condition of the permit was the requirement of an elevation certificate before receiving a mo o certificate of occupancy. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 3, 2010 Volume 6, Page 4 0 2 Terry clarified several questions from the Commission. Roach' requested a housekeeping change to the agenda packet, noting that two pages had been missed in the printing. The Commission requested a recess. RECESS requested at 8 p.m. for document retrieval and review. Meeting RECONVENED at 8:10 p.m. Housekeeping changes to Resolution 2010 -08 were noted. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No members of the public signed in to speak. The variance applicant, Lucky Wilson addressed the Commission. Wilson said the immediate areas surrounding the proposed development site had not experienced any flooding. The development was planned to be equal to the highest point of land at the airport. Ecological foam would be used as part of the construction, Wilson said. In response to a question from Heinrich, Wilson stated a proposed holding tank was to be designed by an engineer and a proposed propane tank would be anchored. Wilson also explained that there would be no oil drain for the project. Instead, absorbent materials would be used for any oil or fuel that might drip or collect, Wilson said. Roach thanked Wilson for using energy efficient technology for the project. No one else requested to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Ecklund/Heinrich) Approve Resolution 2010 -08 Roach' noted that staff had provided the findings for the resolution. Ecklund asked if a second motion was required to tie the findings to the resolution. Terry said the format before the Commission had been approved by the city attorney, but would enquire whether the process may need to be modified in the future. Heinrich asked if the findings were adequate. Morgan commented that staff had adequately researched the relevant issues and had called upon the appropriate professionals, including the Kenai Peninsula Borough hydrologist, to make the required determinations. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 3, 2010 Volume 6, Page 4 0 3 Unfinished Business — None New Business -- Setting the August 17, 2010 Work Session Topic Terry noted that several hours of work had been devoted to updating Title 15 of the City Code. Terry proposed bringing forward a draft of the potential sign ordinance changes that were recently discussed. The Wind Energy Conversion Ordinance and the Development Requirements Table and the Land Uses Allowed Table would also be included in the session. Ecklund noted that the sign code and the Wind Energy Conversion Ordinance had been reviewed, but the development and land tables had not. She suggested focusing on the tables during the next work session. Commissioners reached a general consensus that the Development Requirements Table and Land Uses Allowed Table were to be the topic of the August 17, 2010 work session. Informational Items and Reports (No action required) Political Signage Letters to Candidates and Response City of Seward DFIRM Comments Snipe Sign Letter to Ted Gorman Construction Repair Assistance Letter to Telance Investments LLC CUP 2003 -05 Request for Compliance Letter Sidewalk and Road Repair List Submitted to the State of Alaska Commission Comments Roach' addressed staff and indicated the correspondence included in Informational Items and Reports was appropriate. Terry said more letters were to be included in the agenda packet in the future to keep the Commission informed of various enforcement actions and notifications. Terry also said the list of sidewalk and road repairs indicated work to be done. Some of the road repairs would not be completed for up to three years, she said. Ecklund asked if the downtown sidewalks would be repaired. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes August 3, 2010 Volume 6, Page 4 0 4 Terry noted that some emergency sidewalk repair was underway and included some of the downtown areas. Heinrich asked about the nature of the sidewalk repairs. Terry said the work was mostly repairing cracks and section upheavals in the walkways. Citizens' Comments — None Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments — None Adjournment Meetin; adjourned at 8:35 � Alraff Dw • yne ood, Sandie Roach' Co unity Deve opment Assistant Chair (City Seal) ♦$ $so sso ■•,, • SEAL , n t •-r r • • fi • ••, 'A gip: P,♦♦ pp;