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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12052017 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 5, 2017 Volume 7, Page 258 CALL TO ORDER The December 5,2017 regular meeting of the Seward Planning&Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Cindy Ecklund. OPENING CEREMONY Commissioner Charbonneau led the pledge of allegiance to the flag ROLL CALL There were present: Cindy Ecklund presiding, and Martha Fleming Nathanial Charbonneau Gary Seese Margaret Anderson Craig Ambrosiani Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Absent Tom Swann-Excused Also Present Jackie C. Wilde, Planner Andy Bacon, Planning Assistant SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS-None Administration Report Jackie Wilde updated the Commission on the following business items • Reported that the November 28, 2017 Work Session was productive and well-attended. • Wilde will be meeting with the City Clerk to continue work on Camping Code next week. • Planning staff will be working on bringing forward a new ordinance with new definitions relating to the Development Requirements that were discussed at the November 28, 2017 Work Session. • Planning staff is working on revamping fee schedule to adjust map printing cost,currently set at$5.00, to more accurately reflect actual cost of printing. Fleming asked for clarification on map printing costs, and Wilde stated that the current charge of$5.00 per map is less than the actual cost of supplies,and that the new cost will be set to cover the cost of printing supplies CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING -None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Fleming/Charbonneau) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 5, 2017 Volume 7, Page 259 Motion (Charbonneau /Anderson) Amend the Agenda to add an item C under New Business to schedule a December 19,2018 Work Session to discuss Camping Code Motion Passed Unanimous The following item was approved on the Consent Agenda: Approval of November 7, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes Motion Passed Unanimous Public Hearings A. Unfinished Business Items requiring a Public Hearing - None B. New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing 2017-15 Resolution Recommending City Council and Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of The Forest Acres Subdivision,Lot A,Harmon Replat;Creating Four(4)New Lots To Be Known As Lots Al, A2, A3 And A4; Located Within The Rural Residential District Wilde outlined project application process and stated that Integrity Surveying has corrected plat to add exiting 5' foot Right of Way(ROW)and utility easements on surrounding streets.The applicant has worked with soil engineers to perform soil tests and site locations for the on-site septic systems. The applicant provided soils report to Community Development office. At the time of printing the Community Development office received no public comments. The office received an inquiry on December 5, 2017 from Sandie Roach', asking about the on-site septic system in regards to this property. Wilde responded to the inquiry by email that outlined sections of code requirements that permit on-site septic systems. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Sandie Roach',inside city,asked why applicant is being allowed onsite septic.Roach' asked if there any other lots in Forest Acres that has on-site septic? Wilde replied that she did not know if other lots in Forest Acres had on-site septic but would follow up. Fleming asked administration if there are other sites in Forest Acres with onsite septic, or will thin require further research. Wilde said it will require research. Ecklund asked Wilde to confirm that Code allows for development of on-site septic systems when a City utility sewer line is located over 200 feet from the closest corner of the lot,and Wilde affirmed. Wilde stated that the applicant would also have to follow all State and Federal regulations,and had City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 5, 2017 Volume 7, Page 260 done so thus far by turning in a soils report. Ecklund asked if a soils report was done on each of the four lots and Wilde replied that samples were taken on two of the four lots. Fleming asked if there was a separate septic system for each lot,and Wilde affirmed that there were separate systems for each lot. Ecklund asked if water and electric were in, and Wilde affirmed that this work was done prior to paving.Wilde stated that she spoke with the Public Works director earlier in the day to double check that these determinations were correct. Ecklund asked if the surrounding properties were hooked up to City water,and Wilde affirmed that to her knowledge all surrounding properties were hooked up to City water. Anderson commented that some builders in Forest Acres had to install a pump in order to hook up to City sewer utilities. Ambrosiani asked what type of septic system is going in. Ecklund invited applicant to talk about septic system. Larry Harmon,inside city, described the proposed septic systems as typical,being of the septic tank and leech field type. Fleming asked how big these lots are. Seese stated these lots are about half acre. Ecklund added that these lots will be 8 times the size of a 30 x 100 Original Townsite Lot. Ecklund asked Harmon if he personally knew of any lots in Forest Acres that had on-site septic systems. Harmon replied that he did not. Ecklund stated that the Commission would like to address the question from the public relating to other Forest Acres lots with onsite septic. Ecklund asked the applicant if he was in a rush to build,and requested applicant input on the Commission postponing this until administration has completed researching on-site septic systems in the Forest Acres subdivision. Harmon replied that he would prefer not to wait, as this has been a lengthy process,but that it would not cause financial harm to postpone for one month. Wilde notified everyone that she has contacted the Public Works Director asking him to research on-site septic systems in Forest Acres,and is awaiting a response. Commission discussed amending the agenda to move their vote to item 3. Fleming made a motion to amend agenda, seconded by Charbonneau,postponing the vote until later in the meeting to give City staff time to respond Hearing no one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. Motion (Fleming/Charbonneau) Motion To Amend The Agenda To Move The Final Vote On Resolution 2017-15 To Item 3 Under New Business Items Requiring A Public Hearing Passed Yes: Fleming, Ambrosiani, Charbonneau, Ecklund No: Anderson, Seese City of Seward, Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 5, 2017 Volume 7, Page 261 2017-16 Resolution Recommending City Council And Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of The Dairy Hill Subdivision&Cliff Addition To The Seward Townsite,Leirer Faust Replat;This Replat Combines 8 Lots Into 3 Lots; Tracts 1, 2, 3 And 4 Of Dairy Hill Subdivision Tracts 1-5; Lots 3-5 Block 5 Cliff Addition And Lot 1 a Block 5 Cliff Addition,Vacating The Interior Lot Lines,20 Foot Alleyway And Add 10 Foot Utility Easement; Located Within The Single Family Zoning District Wilde stated that this resolution has been brought forth by two property owners seeking to both consolidate lots and exchange ownership of property. In doing so, the applicants seek vacation of interior lot lines and easements that would lie within the newly created lots. Wilde stated that she spoke to the City electrical engineer,who specified that the 10' utility easement along Vista Avenue should extend the entire length of the lot, and that a 10' utility easement be added along Ravina Street and First Avenue and the surveyor has been notified of this requirement and has committed to making the required changes before sending the survey drawing to the Borough. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Harold Faust,outside city, explained the reasoning behind the request to vacate the Right of Way. Faust explained that by consolidating these lots there would no longer be a need for an alleyway easement between First and Vista, and further that the topography of land would make an alleyway impractical. Ecklund asked Faust to confirm the number of lots that would result from this platting action.Faust stated that this replat would result in the creation of three individual lots. Charbonneau asked for clarification about the north-south ROW vacation. Faust stated that the north-south alley ROW was a legal requirement to connect to the east-west alleyway that Faust's earlier platting action vacated. As a result of this platting action,no public access would be needed; therefore Faust would prefer to utilize this space on his property. Ecklund confirmed that should this platting action ever be undone, public access to these lands could still be achieved via Vista Avenue. Steve Leirer,inside city,stated that the ROW Faust was required to maintain was to access lots that Leirer owned.This platting action would no longer require that access.Leirer discussed topography of this land, making suitable build sites difficult to locate and further necessitating this platting action. Anderson asked Leirer if he had an on-site septic system, which Leirer affirmed. Ecklund asked Faust if he was installing an on-site septic system, which Faust affirmed, and has already installed. Motion (Fleming/Ambrosiani) Resolution 2017-16 of the Planning and Zoning Commission,of the City of Seward, Alaska Recommending City Council And Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of The Dairy Hill Subdivision & Cliff Addition To The Seward Townsite, Leirer111 Faust Replat;This Replat Combines 8 Lots Into 3 Lots; Tracts 1, 2, 3 And 4 Of Dairy City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 5, 2017 Volume 7, Page 262 Hill Subdivision Tracts 1-5; Lots 3-5 Block 5 Cliff Addition And Lot la Block 5 Cliff Addition,Vacating The Interior Lot Lines, 20 Foot Alleyway And Utility Easement; Located Within The Single Family Zoning District Motion Passed Unanimous 2017-17 Resolution Granting A Variance From Seward City Code 15.10.220 Development Requirements To Jeff Hamilton, Hamilton Construction, LLC, Permitting An Exception To The Zoning Code Maximum Building Height To Allow A 65 Foot Structure On Lot 1,Block 3,Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center, 3301 Jellison Avenue, Within The Industrial Zoning District Wilde stated that Hamilton Construction, a lessee at SMIC, has requested a variance to the Development Requirements in order that they may exceed the 34 foot maximum building height outlined therein,and build a 65 foot structure. Wilde stated that the electric department will want to discuss matters relating to electrical loads with the applicant during the building permit phase,but had no comment regarding building height. Wilde stated that the Fire Department asked for a requirement that the applicant not place any items for storage above two stories,recognizing that the variance to the building height requirement is only to accommodate the 300 ton travel lift and tall vessels,but shall not be used for equipment or materials storage.The Fire Department also requested the addition of entries adjacent to both frontage streets for safety reasons. Wilde stated that the applicant has volunteered to install a fire suppression sprinkler system, which is not a typical requirement for this building type. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Carol Griswold, inside city, stated her concern that this will open up floodgate for many more additional variance requests of this type. Griswold stated that she is concerned that this may cause insurance rates to increase. Griswold requests that future applicants be required to install fire suppression systems as a condition of their variance. Motion (Fleming/Seese) Resolution 2017-17 of the Planning and Zoning Commission,of the City of Seward, Alaska granting A Variance From Seward City Code 15.10.220 Development Requirements To Jeff Hamilton,Hamilton Construction, LLC, Permitting An Exception To The Zoning Code Maximum Building Height To Allow A 65 Foot Structure On Lot 1, Block 3, Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision, Seward Marine City of Seward, Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 5, 2017 Volume 7, Page 263 Industrial Center, 3301 Jellison Avenue, Within The Industrial Zoning District Fleming asked for clarification on the location of doors.Fleming discussed concerns over whether or not the applicant will adhere to storage requirements. Wilde discussed the means by which the City can enforce these requirements,through annual life- safety inspections and building permit inspections. Anderson stated that Vigor operates a 100 foot high structure at SMIC,and that additional protected area is needed if the City is to encourage development of SMIC. Charbonneau recommended requiring sprinkler systems in future buildings of this type,and stated that we need more of these types of buildings at SMIC. Ambrosiani seconded the sprinkler requirement. Ecklund stated that since sprinklers are currently not required by Code, the Commission can't require them as a condition, but that the Commission may recommend a change to the code requiring sprinklers. Ecklund asked what would happen if the Fire Department ladder truck moves to the west side of Resurrection Bay. Wilde stated that she cannot comment on potential changes to Fire Department operations. Motion Passed Unanimous 2017-15 Resolution Recommending City Council and Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of The Forest Acres Subdivision,Lot A,Harmon Replat;Creating Four(4)New Lots To Be Known As Lots Al, A2, A3 And A4; Located Within The Rural Residential District Motion (Anderson/ Fleming) Resolution 2017-15 of the Planning and Zoning Commission,of the City of Seward, Alaska Recommending City Council and Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of The Forest Acres Subdivision, Lot A, Harmon Replat; Creating Four(4) New Lots To Be Known As Lots Al, A2, A3 And A4; Located Within The Rural Residential District Wilde stated that the Public Works Director had responded to her questions with the following "the last few houses on Dimond by Dieckgraeff Road, a new home on the corner of Dimond and Hemlock, 500 Hemlock doesn't show that there is a sewer line so he assumes they also have septic, and 2604 Maple, he also stated that 104 Benson is also on septic" have on-site septic systems installed. Commission thanked administration and Public Works for the quick response Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None City of Sewarch Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 5, 2017 Volume 7, Page 264 NEW BUSINESS Discuss possibility of rescheduling the January 2,2018 Meeting Wilde stated that she introduced this new business item to remind Commissioners that this Regular Meeting occurs the day after a holiday,and requests the Chair poll the Commission for availability. Motion (Anderson/Ambrosiani) Reschedule the January 2, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission to January 9, 2018. Motion Withdrawn (Anderson/Ambrosiani) Motion(Anderson/Fleming) Reschedule the January 2, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission to January 16, 2018 at 7:00 PM and schedule a Work Session for January 9, 2018 at 6PM with topic of "Development Requirements" Motion Passed Unanimous Commissioners discussed their availability for January 2,2018,and reach a consensus that they should try to reschedule the meeting. Commissioners discussed their availability for meetings over the month of January 2018. Discuss scheduling Work Session with topic of"Camping Code" Charbonneau proposed scheduling a work session for December 19, 2017 to discuss Camping Code. Wilde stated that we need 2 week notice for public postings, and it is too late to add the work session. Wilde proposed a special work session scheduled for January 16, 2017 6PM. Commissioners scheduled a special work session on January 16, 2018 at 6:00 PM to discuss Camping Code by consensus Informational Items and Reports (No action required)- A. Planning and Zoning"Did You Know" B. FEMA Region X Newsletter C. City Manager Report from November 27th meeting D. 2018 Planning&Zoning Meeting Schedule E. City Calendars December&January City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes December 5, 2017 Volume 7, Page 265 Commission Comments Fleming- Thanks to Chair and Administration for good communication. Charbonneau- Thanks commission for scheduling the Camping Code work session Ambrosiani- Thanks to staff Seese- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone Citizens' Comments Carol Griswold, inside city, urges commission to not move forward on adopting camping code changes immediately following work session. Griswold stated that she is advocating for P&Z commission to be allowed to work on the revision of the 1997 Seward Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Griswold thanks the Commission for their hard work. Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments Fleming stated that in previous efforts to revise Camping Code she felt that Administration was moving too quickly, and the Commission worked to slow the process to allow more public involvement. Ecklund stated that the adopted Camping Code will be 25 years old next year,and Code revision has been on the P&Z Commission work list for years. ADJOURNMENT (Anderson/Fleming) The meeting was adjourned at 8:23p.m. :tc_ ,t i 1 .` (� Jackie)C. Wilde Ci'dy . Ecklund Planner C air 000,6 la ts,i. (City Seal►°04 Of SEky •#, • SEAL ; © •: � j b •. OFA