HomeMy WebLinkAbout05072013 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
May 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 20
Call to Order
The May 7, 2013 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was
called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Roach'.
Opening Ceremony
Commissioner Campestre led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Roll Call
There were present:
Sandie Roach' presiding, and
Cindy Ecklund Martha Fleming
Bixler McClure Alexis Campestre
comprising a quorum of the Commission; and
Ron Long, Assistant City Manager
Donna Glenz, City Planner
Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician
Excused was: Dale Butts
City Administration Report
City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items:
• Glenz noted that the Seward / Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board had hosted a
presentation by URS Corp. the evening of May 6. The Hazard Mitigation Plan presentation
focused on proposed plan updates for the service area.
• Glenz said the new proposed FEMA floodplain maps for the Seward area were available
for public review and were scheduled to be adopted by City Council on July 8.
• In response to concerns from the Commission, City staff had recently held a meeting to
discuss employee camping on the properties just north of Icicle Seafoods. The Fire
Department had completed its inspections and all life safety issues had been addressed,
Glenz said.
• Assistant City Manager Ron Long addressed the Commission, noting recent meetings with
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding a proposal to transfer ownership and management
`. of the Lowell Canyon Tunnel to the City of Seward in coming years. The City is currently
working to secure funding to conduct a condition study and determine what repairs need to
be made.
City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
May 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 21
onj
• Long said there had also been recent meetings with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
discuss issues related to possible development on the South Harbor Uplands / breakwater.
An act of U.S. Congress is needed to allow municipal development, Long said.
Fleming asked when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers might transfer ownership and
maintenance of the Lowell Canyon diversion tunnel to the City.
Long said the proposed date is approximately 10 years away and that the City is requesting
that the Corps retain the diversion tunnel and maintenance responsibilities.
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 (McClure/Ecklund) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda:
esdi
Resolution 2013 -09 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of
Seward, Alaska, recommending Council support the KPB approval of the
Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area 2013 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
update
April 2, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes
Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing — None
New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing —
Resolution 2013 -07 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 the Gateway Subdivision, creating four
tracts to be known as Tracts C4, C5, and C7, Gateway Subdivision Addition
No. 2 and dedicating the rights -of -way extensions to be known as Olympia
Road and Afognak Avenue, located within the SE % Section 33; within the
Single Family Zoning District
Glenz noted the location of the proposed replat and described the zoning designation for the
surrounding properties. The City of Seward negotiated the purchase of Tract C -6 to install a new
City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
May 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 22
6.• water storage tank. Glenz described the rights -of -way extensions and referred Commissioners to
displayed wall maps.
The subdivision was not served by utilities and staff was preparing a subdivision agreement.
Glenz said public questions regarding the replat had been answered and additional information
was provided.
Ecklund asked if the subdivision agreement would be in place before the plat was
approved.
Glenz said staff was preparing the agreement and it would be prepared before the plat was
finalized and approved by the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and
the public hearing was opened.
James Allen, whose residence was near the proposed replat, asked if Tract C -5 would be
divided into two parcels. Allen asked if public traffic would be traveling the rights -of -way as soon
as the plat was finalized.
Virginia Allen, whose residence was near the proposed replat, asked if the public's
r.. questions regarding the proposed replat could be provided.
Motion (Ecklund/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2013 - 07
Campestre asked staff what questions the public may have asked regarding the proposed
replat.
Glenz said she spoke with the Allens twice, explaining the rights -of -way access and all
other aspects of the replat. Glenz noted that she also spoke with Seward resident Carol Griswold,
and the same questions were asked and answered.
Glenz addressed James Allen's question regarding rights -of -way development, stating that
there was no immediate plan to develop, maintain or plow roads that would be platted through the
33.55 acres.
Ecklund requested that future platting actions include former plat maps, as well as proposed
plats.
Glenz said older plats would be added to meeting packets.
Roach' asked if the City would police the area or if the City might clean in the area of the
platted rights -of -way.
City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
May 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 23
Glenz asked Public Works Director W.C. Casey to explain the intended uses of the
proposed rights -of -way extensions.
W.C. Casey, who was in attendance, said some rights -of -way in lesser developed parts of
the City were cleaned and patrolled. The rights -of -way under discussion might not be developed
any time soon, he said. The City did not intend to cut brush or open a majority of the rights -of -way
easements, but could clean the areas, if needed.
Ecklund asked if the issue of splitting Tract C -5 had been thoroughly discussed with the
applicants.
Glenz said the surveying contractor and the applicant were in agreement with the proposed
plat configuration as submitted.
Seward Public Works employee Nort Adelmann spoke to Commissioners and explained
that the Water Department would mow vegetation where water lines were buried.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2013 -08 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of
Seward, Alaska, granting a conditional use permit to James R. Woodside, dba
Saltwood Smoke House, to operate a commercial seafood processing and
..r
smoking business on USS 149, Lot 1, Tract B, 2101 Seward Highway, within
the Auto Commercial Zoning District
Glenz described the surrounding properties and referred the Commission to wall maps
indicating the location of the proposed business. The operation would be relatively small,
compared to the commercial fish processing plants along Seward's waterfront, Glenz said. Staff
had received one public question regarding how fish would be transported to the location. Glenz
noted the business would not receive deliveries by large trucks.
Ecklund asked if the allowed use was "seafood processing," as indicated in City Code.
Ecklund said she did not see a category specifically for "fish processing."
Glenz said the category used for regulation purposes was the most appropriate category
described in Code. The size of the operation, as described, would be limited by the size of the
property.
Roach' asked if deliveries would be received on the applicant's property or if deliveries
could be received in the right of way.
Glenz said deliveries could be received in the right of way, as with numerous businesses in
various locations around town.
City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
May 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 24
Roach' asked if the access to Dimond Boulevard from the applicant's parcel was a
permitted driveway.
A driveway permit would only be required if a culvert was being placed for the driveway,
and a culvert was not needed, Glenz said.
Campestre asked for clarification of the type of product that would be received.
Glenz said the smoking operation would not include the custom processing of fish for individuals.
Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the
public hearing was opened.
CUP applicant James Woodside addressed the Commission, stating he did not intend to
custom smoke fish for individuals. The capacity of the plant would be approximately 700 pounds
of fish per day. Woodside said he wanted to operate a production facility and was not interested in
conducting retail sales on site.
Ecklund asked what kind of products might be produced and how they would be packaged.
Woodside said he would smoke several types of fish, including salmon and black cod. The
fish would be cut into strips and smoked and vacuum sealed, he said. Woodside said he may be
able to dispose of scrap fish parts at the commercial plants where he would purchase fish.
Motion (Fleming/Campestre) Approve Resolution 2013 -08
Motion Passed Unanimous
Unfinished Business — None
New Business —
Discussion of Proposed Watchman / Caretaker Definition Changes
Glenz noted that at the previous work session the Commission had discussed and reviewed
possible changes to the Watchman / Caretaker definition, but staff felt more work was needed
before a proposed Code change could be brought forward. The City Council was also considering
Code amendments that may require further consideration of the definition, Glenz said. Staff
suggested the Commission schedule a future work session to be held after City Council addressed
temporary structure Code provisions.
The Commission agreed to hold a work session after City Council addressed proposed
�... changes to the Building Code.
Reschedule the M4 21 Special Meeting
City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
May 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 25
imj
Glenz said a Conditional Use Permit application was received in time to change the
scheduled work session to a special meeting. Glenz noted that Commissioners had discussed
rescheduling the May 21 meeting date because the Seward High School graduation ceremony was
to take place that evening.
Commissioners agreed to hold the Planning and Zoning special meeting on May 22, 2013.
Roach' requested to suspend the rules in order to allow Seward / Bear Creek Flood Service
Area staff and board members to address the Commission.
Stephanie Presley, Seward / Bear Creek Flood Service Area Coordinator, provided a report
to the Commission on the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan will be useful for the City in
the future when its own plan needs to be updated, Presley said.
Campestre asked about the payment of the $232,220 in grant funds that were to be used to
update the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Presley said the bulk of the money had been paid to contractor URS, not including a Kenai
Peninsula Borough administration fee.
Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board Chairman Bill Williamson said the May 6
presentation on the Hazard Mitigation Plan update was very informative. The presentation was
provided by URS, and the content of the new plan has provisions for a variety hazards.
Informational Items and Reports (No action required)
FEMA Region X Newsletter & Special Addition
Permitting & Agency Information Day flyer
2013 Planning & Zoning Meeting Schedule
May 14 Ethics Training Reminder
Commission Comments
Fleming said she was pleased that James Woodside was adding a new fish smoking
operation to the local economy.
Campestre thanked the Seward / Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board and staff for
attending the meeting and providing additional information.
McClure thanked staff for the meeting preparations and also congratulated James Woodside
on his fish smoking business venture.
City of Seward, Alaska Planning Commission Minutes
May 7, 2013 Volume 7, Page 26
hum
Ecklund said was hopeful that James Woodside would be able to provide local seafood for
the restaurant in the Alaska SeaLife Center.
Roach' thanked the Commission and the members of the public for attending and also
congratulated James Woodside on his fish smoking venture.
Citizens' Comments — None
Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments — None
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:3 p.m.
1
►∎ wa e At so., Sandie Roach'
' lanning Technician Chair
(City Seal)
•
•
• t •iu '�fj P M ♦3
4 b
r ® ® 4
V 4 �
e p tq
�O
/
r
Yrr