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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05052015 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Volume 7,Page 134 Call to Order The May 5, 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 Fleming 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 noted the various laydown materials that had been provided to the Commission. • The SeaLfe Summer Festival 2015 was scheduled for May 16. The event was to include live music and exhibits. • A flood mitigation work session, sponsored by the State Division of Homeland Security, was scheduled for May 18 at the Seward Community Library. • Glenz noted a memo had been provided that outlined information that had been gathered by the City Mayor and City Administration relating to the future of the local U.S. Coast Guard cutter and the Lowell Canyon diversion tunnel. • The summer season's first cruise ship was scheduled to arrive on May 6. The seasonal shuttle bus service was also scheduled to begin. • The Seward Small Boat Harbor season opening and blessing of the fleet was scheduled for May 15 through May 17. • The Planning and Zoning Commission was scheduled to hold a joint work session with the local flood board at 6 p.m. on June 2. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Volume 7,Page 135 • The Planning and Zoning Commission was scheduled to hold a work session at 6 p.m. on May 19. The topic was continued review of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. 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 (Swann/Fleming) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: April 7,2015 Regular Meeting Minutes Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing—None New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing— Resolution 2015-09 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a Conditional Use Permit to Randy and Jennifer Wells to construct two duplex structures, adding four (4) apartment units on Lot 28B, Block 12, Original Townsite of Seward, located at 210 Brownell Street within the Urban Residential Zoning District Glenz noted the location on wall maps and explained how the parcel had been platted to accommodate a multiunit development. The property fronted Brownell Street, a 20-foot-wide right of way that was formerly an alley. Glenz noted the surrounding developments and the various property uses, including the Bear Mountain Apartment complex to the north of the proposed project. Correspondence and public questions related to the project, both letter and email,were provided to the Commission as a laydown, Glenz said. A member of the public had also expressed concerns verbally about Brownell Street and traffic issues, Glenz said. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Leslie Pemberton, inside City limits, said she was not opposed to the proposed development, but said the area of Second Avenue and Washington Street had a considerable amount of traffic and activity. Pemberton said she was concerned pedestrians, including children, could be harmed by increased traffic. Motorists were ignoring the posted street signage and driving dangerously, she said. The potential for more traffic made her concerned, she said. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Volume 7,Page 136 Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Fleming/Swann) Approve Resolution 2015-09 Fleming asked staff if the City Building Department had been involved in discussions related to paving Brownell Street. Glenz said the Public Works Department would be involved with any City street paving. Glenz said she would contact the Police Department and Public Works Department regarding street signage. She did not know if the Public Works Department intended to pave the alley, she said. Swann asked what the lot size requirement was for the multiunit project. . Glenz noted duplexes could be built on 6,000 square foot lots, and 9,000,square feet was required for a multiunit. Anderson asked how the conditions of the Conditional Use Permit had been established. Glenz said City Code requirements dictate what must be addressed in the permit. Seese asked if the development could be expanded to add more apartment units in the future. Glenz said the project included the maximum number of apartment units allowed, and other requirements,including parking,had been met. Seese said he did not believe that the occupants of the four proposed apartment units would overburden the neighborhood with traffic. Ecklund asked staff what street signage was posted at Brownell Street and Washington Street. Developer Randy Wells was asked to speak to the Commission and he noted the proximity of a stop sign at the intersection of Brownell and Washington. A one-way traffic sign was also posted at the intersection, Wells said. Fleming asked if the drive surface that continued south of Brownell was intended for one-way traffic. Glenz pointed out that the gravel drive surface, which appeared to be a southward continuation of Brownell,was private and on University of Alaska property. Motion Passed Unanimous • City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Volume 7,Page 137 Resolution 2015-10 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a Conditional Use Permit to Polar Seafoods to allow portable buildings (membrane structures) used as temporary structures to serve as an employee campground on Lot 2A, Block 9, Fourth of July Creek Subdivision within the Industrial Zoning District Glenz pointed out the project location on a wall map, including the location of the Polar Seafoods processing plant. A Conditional Use Permit was required for the proposed campground,which was to include eight membrane structures for up to 32 employees. Glenz described the surrounding industrial operations and noted that the applicant would be required to remove the camp after its seasonal use, per City Code. Glenz said a citizen letter related to the proposed campground was not included in the meeting packet,but had been provided as a laydown. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one requested to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Swann/Anderson) Approve Resolution 2015-10 Seese asked how far campground users would have to walk to reach the Polar Seafoods bathrooms. Bill Fejes, representing Polar Seafoods, was asked to provide information to the Commission. Fejes estimated the bathrooms would be within 250 feet of the campground. Fejes said porta potties could be placed in the area of the campground, if needed. Fleming asked where employees had been living. Fejes said hotel rooms were rented in the winter months. He noted that the company had leased housing from a private property owner in the Nash Road area for summer occupancy, but Polar Seafoods management felt the housing was no longer adequate. In response to Swarm, Fejes described the sanitary facilities and said he had been working with the City Building Department to add the additional required sanitary facilities. In response to Anderson, Fejes said there was approved kitchen facilities and two break rooms for dining. In response to Ecklund, Glenz directed Commissioners to a wall map and pointed out the streets in relationship to the proposed campground and processing plant. Ecklund asked staff to explain the difference between a tent and a membrane structure. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Volume 7,Page 138 Glenz said a membrane structure can be permitted as a temporary structure, and tents could also be used as temporary structures if all of the Code requirements were met. In response to Ecklund, Fejes said he was working with the City Electric Department to provide electricity for heating the membrane structures, as allowed by City code. Swami said he was concerned about late night bathroom usage and the danger that might be posed by bears in the area. Fleming asked if there would be security fencing for the campground. She also noted that bears may be attracted to the area. Glenz advised the Commission to use caution in requiring fencing in the area. She noted the fencing would not keep out the bears but could pose potential difficulties if a bear were to become panicked and felt trapped. The Commission further discussed bear safety,bathroom access and public access to the area.' Motion(Swann/Fleming) Amend Resolution 2015-10, Condition F. (7) adding "Polar Seafoods shall provide temporary porta potties within 25 feet of the temporary structures..." Motion Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed,as Amended Unanimous Resolution 2015-11 of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, recommending City Council approve donating approximately 1.7 acres of Lot 11A, Fort Raymond Subdivision, Replat Number 1,for development of a senior housing facility with conditions Glenz gave a brief history of the Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative request for the donation of property for the development of a senior housing facility. She noted that Council had requested the Commission hold a public hearing and provide a recommendation on the donation of the southern portion of Lot 11A, Fort Raymond Subdivision. Glenz pointed out the location and approximate proposed lot lines on the wall maps provided. Glenz described the current usage of the parcel, and the portion that would be donated for development. She noted staff had received several inquiries regarding the location and the floodplain status. All written comments had been included in the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting packet. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Volume 7, Page 139 Jonathan Sewall, inside City, said he did not object to senior housing, but believed there were better locations available. Sewall said he had concerns about Fort Raymond debris on the land and the potential wetland issues. The U.S. Air Force recreation camp area would be more suitable, as well as the former Wesley Rehabilitation and Care Center location on First Avenue. Candy Norman, outside City, said the senior housing working group had already considered the more obvious possible locations. Norman said the senior housing model would be designed for easy use by those with limited mobility, and that it would be a low impact project. Ecklund asked if there was a funding deadline for the proposed development. Norman.said she believed the funding application deadline for Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative was June 1, 2015. She did not know if the same source of funding would be available in 2016. Sewall asked if the proposed facility would be similar to the senior housing facility on Snug Harbor Road in Cooper Landing. Ecklund said the company that m anaged the Cooper Landing development was the same company seeking to develop in Seward. Kathleen Barkley, inside City, said the U.S. Air Force recreation camp area had been considered for the proposed senior housing facility, and there were too many issues related to infrastructure, such as underground fuel tanks. Barkley said the current proposed location was suggested by City Council member David Squires, the former City Fire Chief. She believed Squires had given adequate consideration to the location before making the suggestion. Motion (Fleming/Swann) Approve Resolution 2015-11 Seese, for the purpose of discussion, suggested that the University of Alaska Fairbanks property, near Third Avenue and Washington Street be considered for the proposed senior housing facility. Glenz said that while the location suggested by Seese would be more than adequate,the possibility of gaining a donation from the university was remote. In response to Anderson, Glenz pointed out that since the parcel was larger than one acre, City Code allowed for a zoning designation change. Glenz suggested Auto Commercial may be the appropriate zone. Glenz also said the developer had to secure funding before gaining control of the property, and that platting and rezoning were required before development. Fleming said the City owned large amounts of land, and the proposed senior housing was a good public use. Fleming encouraged the public to show its support. In response to Ecklund, Glenz said there was no flood zone designation for the parcel. Glenz directed the Commission to a flood zone map in the packet. City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Volume 7,Page 140 Anderson said she believed Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative was in the process of testing the soil at the site. Ecklund asked City Parks and Recreation Department director Karin Sturdy to discuss the current use of the property. Sturdy said the proposed location was in need of being cleaned up because of debris, and that the area was underutilized as park land. Some overflow camping use did occur there during summer. Anderson asked about a reference to pole top rescue training conducted by the City Electric Department. In response to Anderson, Glenz said a climbing pole was utilized annually for training, but future training could take place at another location. Glenz pointed out the approximate location of the pole. ' A member of the audience asked to speak. The Commission agreed to suspend the rules. Diane McRae, inside City, said the proposed location was more than suitable for a senior housing project. She said the land near the highway was somewhat wet, but the property under consideration did not have flooding issues. The Chair noted the Commission was back on the rules. Motion Passed Unanimous Unfinished Business—None New Business Items—None Informational Items and Reports (No action required) Amendment to the Planning and Zoning Commission Annual Priorities Planning and Zoning May 19 Work Session Reminder Flood Board Quarterly Joint Work Session Reminder FEMA Region X Newsletter 2015 Planning& Zoning Meeting Schedule Glenz noted there were additional items provided as a laydown. Commission Comments City of Seward,Alaska Planning Commission Minutes May 5, 2015 Volume 7,Page 141 Seese said the Commission and staff did a good job during the evening to conduct business in an orderly manner. Ecklund agreed that the meeting had been successful. Citizens' Comments—None Commission and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. D .yne ood, Cindy d Phi • g Techni'ian Ch.' (City Seal) '000dv®saoa®,® Or a o :• ® "°d ° ® gym ♦▪ • o