Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03052019 Planning & Zoning Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes March 5, 2019 Volume 7,Page 318 CALL TO ORDER The March 5,2019 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 Gary Seese Kelli Hatfield Tom Swami Craig Ambrosiani Nathanial Charbonneau Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Also Present Jeff Bridges, Interim City Manager Brennan Hickok,Assistant City Manager Jackie Wilde, Planner SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Administration Report Jackie Wilde updated the Commission on the following business items • The April 2,2019 Planning and Zoning meeting will have a full agenda • Community Development department has been continuing the audit of nightly lodging businesses and is processing applications for 2019. The City has received one complaint about the safety inspection fee,otherwise feedback has been neutral • Commissioners were reminded to turn in their APOC forms if still outstanding Other Reports, Announcements, and Presentations- None CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING— John Weisel, inside city, introduced himself to the commission and told everyone about commercial and residential construction projects he is working on inside the City. Brad Snowden, inside city, stated that he has been working on the business license process to operate a nightly rental out of his 4-plex on Fourth avenue and is having a difficult time. He asked for the Commission's help when his permit application comes up for public hearing. Snowden also discussed solutions to seasonal housing and told everyone that he is working on a cruise ship dock. City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes March 5,2019 Volume 7,Page 319 APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Fleming/Swann) Approve the agenda and consent agenda Motion (Fleming/Ambrosiani) Amend the agenda to add Item 9B "Discuss March 19, 2019 Work Session Topic" Motion Passed Unanimous Motion(Swann/Fleming) Amend the title of item 7B1 to strike the words "Issued to James Pruitt" Motion Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous The following item was approved on the Consent Agenda: Approval of January 8,2019 Regular Meeting Minutes New Business Items requiring a Public Hearing Resolution 2019-001 Of The Seward Planning And Zoning Commission Of The City Of Seward, Alaska, Granting A Conditional Use Permit (CUP)Amendment, Reducing The Number Of Parking Spaces Required By CUP 2002-01, To Construct And Operate A 79-Unit Hotel And Retail Development In The Harbor Commercial Zoning District, At 1412 Fourth Avenue, Lot 1, Block 6, Seward Small Boat Harbor Subdivision Planner Jackie Wilde stated that this was brought forward by Applicant Tom Tougas to request a reduction in the number of off-street parking spaces required from one space per guest unit to .65 spaces per guest unit. Wilde stated that Mr. Tougas has supplied some usage data along with the CUP application. Wilde stated that staff had received multiple phone calls from surrounding businesses who expressed concerns about the scarce availability of parking in the Harbor area during the summer months. Wilde provided these citizens with the information submitted by the applicant to Community Development,and business owners stated that while they still had concerns over parking,none wished to come forward in objection. Wilde discussed the development and permitting history of the hotel, citing the original parking conditions and summarizing subsequent renovations. Notice of public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Tom Tougas, inside city, stated that Harbor 360 hotel user data indicate that an average of 48 parties per night travel to Seward by means other than car. Tougas stated that his tour boat City of Seward Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes March 5,2019 Volume 7,Page 320 business and hotel business are mutually beneficial, and often provide package accommodations with guests arriving by bus. Tougas discussed the current parking requirement for the Harbor 360 hotel, and stated that the parking his business was required to provide was currently underutilized. Chair Ecklund asked if Commissioners had any questions for the applicant,Mr. Tougas Fleming asked what would happen if additional rooms were to be built in the Hotel. Tougas stated that there was no more room in the building for additional guest rooms Swann asked where employees of the hotel parked. Tougas stated that the business purchases City parking passes for its employees. Hatfield asked if all staff and guests parked in the City parking lot across from the Hotel. Tougas stated that tour boat staff and tour boat guests park in his private parking lot on the west side of fourth avenue near Van Buren, since it is closer to the check-in location. Commissioners Hatfield and Charbonneau commented that they work around the boat harbor and parking lots are often full during the summer months. Brad Snowden, inside city, suggested that high demand for parking indicated healthy business activity. Snowden stated that if a business owner had a need for additional parking, they should be charged a fee and funds could go toward construction of parking garages. Hearing no one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. Motion (Swann/Seese) Approve Resolution 2019-001 of The Seward Planning And Zoning Commission Of The City Of Seward, Alaska, Granting A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Amendment, Reducing The Number Of Parking Spaces Required By Cup 2002-01, To Construct And Operate A 79-Unit Hotel And Retail Development In The Harbor Commercial Zoning District, At 1412 Fourth Avenue, Lot 1, Block 6, Seward Small Boat Harbor Subdivision Swann stated that this resolution may have implications for other businesses in the City. Swann thought that hotel users were more apt to need parking in the evening. Ambrosiani asked administration how accurate estimates are that City parking lots are full in the summer. Hickok stated that it is difficult to determine occupancy rates due to high vehicle turnover in the parking lots. Hickok pointed to the data provided by SPRD Director Sturdy in the packet on increased revenues as evidence of increasing demand on harbor parking lots. Ecklund asked if a parking requirement had ever been lowered in the past, or if any other hotels operating under a CUP had a lower parking requirement than 1 space per guest room. Charbonneau stated that he is concerned about the scarcity of parking in the harbor area. He stated that he works in the harbor City of Seward,Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes March 5, 2019 Volume 7,Page 321 every day in the summer and observes that parking lots are full during peak months. Charbonneau is concerned about parking spaces being available for all the businesses located in the harbor area, and concerned about how relaxing parking requirements would affect future growth in the City. Charbonneau pointed out that the argument for reducing the parking requirement rests on the business model of offering package tours, and asked if this resolution could revert back to the original requirement if the hotel were to change hands. Ecklund stated that this could be done by resolution or by amending the resolution on the floor. Hatfield stated that she pays for parking in the summer and sometimes cannot find parking to get to work, and stated that she is not the only one in this situation. Motion (Charbonneau/Hatfield) Add condition that states "at the point of sale of the Harbor 360 Hotel, Resolution 2019-01 is voided and reverts back to original CUP" Fleming did not agree with adding an encumbrance to the business Motion Failed AYES: Charbonneau NOES: Fleming, Seese, Swann, Ambrosiani,Hatfield,Ecklund Main Motion Passed AYES: Ambrosiani, Fleming, Hatfield, Seese, Swann, Ecklund NOES: Charbonneau Item 8B. Set topic for January 15,2019 Work Session Wilde asked the Commission to approve a work session topic to discuss 2019 Planning and Zoning Priorities in preparation for a March 26, 2019 joint work session with Council to review said priorities. Motion(Swann/Fleming) Set topic of March 19, 2019 work session to "Discuss 2019 Planning and Zoning Priorities" Motion Passed Unanimous Commission Comments Swann-briefed the Commission on a commitment with potential to affect meeting attendance Fleming-Welcomed John Weisel to the community Seese-Agreed with Commissioner Fleming Ecklund- Thanked Mr. Weisel for coming to Planning and Zoning and introducing himself, and thanked him for working on affordable housing City of Seward Alaska Seward Planning&Zoning Commission Minutes March 5, 2019 Volume 7,Page 322 Citizens' Comments Brad Snowden, inside city, welcomed Mr. Weisel, and stated that he loves to see our community grow. Snowden also discussed the challenges that he has been facing in opening a hotel business at his 4 plex on Fourth Avenue. Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments—None ADJOURNMENT(Ambrosiani) The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m. • e L)11.11,0 Jacki C. Wilde Cindy L. F(iCk d Planner Chair �• A OF SF y,®d.� (City •.•••.......••• , ,,. • •�o%P�f�,q'°•�p r .•:G Tom•. t� • • SEAL • � ei le to. • 4 •• OF A�Q ' ' •••........,•*'