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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04122011 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Sevvard, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 12, 2011 Volume 6, Page 4 3 4 Call to Order The April 12, 2011 Special Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 6:30 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 Dale Butts Steven Heinrich Scott Seabury Cindy Ecklund comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Michelle Weston, Assistant City Manager Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Assistant City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • The City of Seward information database, Laserfiche Weblink, had been periodically unavailable during the week. The database supports a limited number of simultaneous users and at times access was restricted. • Glenz noted the City of Seward attorney had provided a ruling regarding the Kenai Peninsula Borough policy that local Planning & Zoning Commissioners who also serve at the Kenai Peninsula Borough level were unable to vote at the local level and again at the Borough Planning Commission level. The City attorney concluded the Kenai Peninsula Borough was within its right to set and keep its current policy. • Building Department figures showed that 34 building permits were approved during 2008, 59 during 2009, 51 during 2010 and 15 as of April 12, 2011. • City- sponsored bus service was scheduled to begin for the season starting May 20. • Harbor Opening Weekend festivities were planned for May 20 through May 22. • The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly was scheduled to hold its Seward meeting on April 19. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 12, 2011 Volume 6, Page 4 3 5 • Seward was in the runnin g to earn prize money as a contestant in the World Fishing Network.Com, Ultimate Fishing Town USA contest. Winners were to be determined by online voting. 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 (Morgan /Seabury) Approve the Agenda and the Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous Consent The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: None Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2011 -06 of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a Conditional Use Permit to Seward Wildlife Cruises, LLC, DBA Major Marine Tours to construct and operate a 12 -unit bunkhouse on Lot 7A, Block 17, Federal Addition Tougas Replat, located at Second Avenue and D Street, within the Auto Commercial Zoning District. Glenz described the project area and Zoning District. She noted the proposed project provided six parking spaces, one vehicle space for every four occupants. Glenz reviewed the findings of the Conditional Use Permit, noting the development needs such as water, sewer and electricity were available. Glenz further stated that Seward Wildlife Cruises had a history of good corporate citizenship. The only public comment, made by Larry Harmon of Harmon Construction, was that existing Major Marine housing had been very orderly and well maintained. Glenz stated administration supported approval of the Conditional Use Permit, subject to the conditions of the resolution. Commissioner Butts asked about the nature of an outbuilding that was shown in the applicant's site plan. Ron Lon g, Operations Manager Major erations Mana er for Ma or Marine, was invited to respond and said the outbuilding was to be a laundry facility for residents. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 12, 2011 Volume 6, Page 4 3 6 In response to Commission questions, Glenz stated the various developed neighborhoods within the City of Seward had the sufficient number of fire hydrants. She also noted the Commission had the ability to add landscaping requirements to the CUP. Commissioners discussed a variety of possible landscaping features, such as requiring vegetation around dumpsters to prevent any loose trash from blowing into the neighborhood. Commissioners agreed that the applicant had a good history of operation and that the landscaping could be left to the applicant. 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. No one requested to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Ecklund /Seabury) Approve Resolution 2011 -06 Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business – None New Business — None Informational Items and Reports (No action required) Informational Letter Sent to property owners possibly affected by the Japp Creek Flood Study being conducted by Atkins, a contractor for FEMA, April 13 through April 21, 2011 2011 Planning and Zoning Meeting and Agenda Cut -Off Dates Commission Comments Seabury thanked Major Marine for submitting a thorough development plan and undertaking a needed project. Morgan commented that the addition of new structures improves the community and also thanked the applicant. Ecklund, who .also sits on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission, reported that the names of several roads and streets around the borough had been changed because they . were tob similar sounding to other street and road names. Ecklund also said there was potential for development near Seward -area streams to be more closely scrutinized under the Kenai Peninsula Borough's anadromous streams 1itat protection rules. City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes April 12, 2011 Volume 6, Page 4 3 7 j Roach' thanked Major Marine for undertaking a new construction project and for participating in a project work session with Commissioners and City staff to discuss development issues. Citizens' Comments Ron Long, Operations Manager for Major Marine, said the company hopes to one day fill the employee bunkhouse, which has capacity for 24 workers. The company also hopes to provide more year -round jobs, which would generate more home purchases and community growth. Long, who has represented Seward as a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member, spoke to the issue of borough voting by local Commissioners and representatives. The Kenai Peninsula Borough has concluded that if a Commissioner voted at the city level and stated for the record their stance on an issue, that Commissioner's role in the borough process might be considered biased. To avoid any bias it is recommended that Commissioners recuse themselves from the decision at the local level. Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments Ecklund suggested that Long provide an explanation of the Kenai Peninsula Borough position on voting by local Commissioners to City Mayor Willard Dunham. ,,,,,, Adjournment Me ' i g adjourned ; t 8: �/ .m. / (---) / .� iu .' A� � (__t.E'� -t d G _ `lam Dw. yne ' twoo a , Sandie Roach' Community Development Assistant Chair (City . F $EI i IN alte :• .�`� Ve : ea SEAL •a y 'ti el a °o 1��. ! °• I. ©F . j