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Home My WebLink About01062015 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes January 6, 2015 Volume 7,Page 110 Call to Order The January 6, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. Opening Ceremony Commissioner Coulter led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll Call There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Martha Fleming Janet Coulter Gary Seese Tom Swann Margaret Anderson comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, City Planner Dwayne Atwood, Planning Technician City Administration Report City Planner Donna Glenz updated the Commission on the following business items: • Glenz thanked former Commissioner Christopher Edgar, on behalf of the City, for his service. Edgar served on the Commission during 2014 before resigning. • Glenz noted that the City Council was expected to authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority for an upland development plan at the Seward Marine Industrial Center. Council was slated to address the agreement proposal at the January 12 meeting. • City Administration was working with the City lobbyist and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to support proposed improvements for the airport. • The new Municipal Lands Management Plan(2014 updates)was approved by City Council at the December 8, 2014 meeting. Hard copies were available if requested. • The Seward Small Boat Harbor plan was also approved at the December 8 City Council meeting. • The City Clerk's office had issued the first mobile vendor permit for 2015. A decorative glass vendor had selected a location within Waterfront Park, Glenz said. • Glenz noted the terms for Commissioner Coulter and Commissioner Anderson were to expire at the end February. Both Commissioners were encouraged to renew. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes January 6, 2015 Volume 7, Page 111 • Financial disclosure statements from the City Clerk's office were provided to Commissioner Ecklund, Commissioner Fleming, Commissioner Seese and Commissioner Swan as a laydown. The statements were due back to the City Clerk by April 15, 2015. • Glenz noted the meeting packets had been reproduced because two pages were reversed during the original printing process. All of the material was correct. Ecklund asked Administration how the boat harbor plan was reviewed. Glenz said the Port and Commerce Advisory Commission conducted the review and the plan was then moved forward to City Council. 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 (Fleming/Swann) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: November 4,2014 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfmished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— Resolution 2015-01, recommending City Council amend portions of Seward City Code §15.10.140.B Definitions, and §15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed Table, to allow Storage, Warehouse and or Distribution in the Resource Management Zoning District,by Conditional Use Permit Glenz provided the history of the Commission's review of warehousing and how the activity could be allowed within the Resource Management Zoning District with the required City Code changes. Staff Iliad received'no comments oh the proposed Code change, Glenz said. Staff recommended approval of Resolution 2015-01,recommending Council approve the attached Ordinance. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. There were no requests to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Swann/Fleming) Approve Resolution 2015-01 City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes January 6, 2015 Volume 7, Page 112 Fleming asked if warehouse operators who were conducting business would be required to obtain a conditional use permit, or whether the use would be"grandfathered." Glenz said there were no known warehouse operators within the Resource Management Zoning District because the use was not allowed. Glenz did point out there was a storage operation related to boats within that zoning district. Glenz said new warehouse operations would be required to obtain a conditional use permit. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business—None New Business Items— Discuss and Set January 20, 2015 Work Session Topic as Review the 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Annual Priorities Glenz noted that the Commission normally schedules a work session to review and update the annual Planning and Zoning priorities. The priorities are then reviewed and amended with City Council in a joint work session,prior to adoption. Ecklund asked Administration if a motion was required to set the work session topic. Glenz said Commissioners should review their schedules to determine if a quorum was available and agree upon the work session topic. Commissioners discussed their schedules and agreed to attend the January 20 work session, with a topic of reviewing the 2015 annual priorities by unanimous consent. Discuss and set date for Planning and Zoning Commissioner training opportunity Planning Technician Dwayne Atwood explained that a storm water and flood hazard training DVD was available for viewing and could serve as a training session, at the Commission's convenience. The 30 minute program could be covered during a regular work session, Atwood said. Ecklund agreed the training could be valuable and suggested that the content be made available at the January 20 work session. _ Commissioners discussed the training opportunity and agreed to reserve time to view the DVD at the January 20 work session. Informational Items and Reports (No action required) Requested Information on Conflict of Interest Guidelines City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes January 6, 2015 Volume 7, Page 113 2015 Planning and Zoning Meeting Schedule FEMA Region X Newsletter Commissioners reviewed the Conflict of Interest Guidelines and discussed the process, as outlined in the Planning and Zoning Commission Rules of Procedure. Anderson said Commissioners should declare relationships with applicants, even if there is no financial conflict,to help maintain transparency for the public. Swann noted that conflict of interest issues can be addressed by process, but Commissioner bias can be harder to deal with. Ecklund said Commissioners could note, for the record, any bias they may have. Glenz said all action items are known well in advance of the meetings and any required voting. Commissioners could bring a matter of perceived bias to staff and the City Attorney could be consulted to determine if there was a legal issue. In reviewing the meeting schedule, Seese indicated he would not be able to attend the February 17 regular work session. Fleming noted she would not be available for the May 19 work session. Commission Comments Fleming pointed out that the Commission managed to complete several tasks from the 2014 Annual Priorities and was optimistic that the same progress could be made during 2015. Citizens' Comments-None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments —None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m. • • AbillMi i&t2 aoPa9;,� D a 74 Atwo�d, F ,.. .. Cindy c land a� _. -t4: Chair P 'ng Technician "�� r.� .tea-> ��rza "- (City Seal) • • O • c' . . °t-�o d:nt •s