HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes1999-005
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 22::OS
A RESOLUTION OF THE SEWARD PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION, GRANTING A VARIANCE FROM SCC ~ 15.10.220
DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND SCC ~ 15.10.215 PARKING TO
ALLOW THE EXISTING RAILROAD CAR, PROPOSED ACCESS RAMP
AND STAIRS WITHIN THE FRONT AND SIDE SETBACKS OF LOTS 19
AND 20, BLOCK 25, ORIGINAL TOWNSITE OF SEWARD; AND
EXEMPTING THE RAILROAD CAR FROM PROVIDING OFF-STREET
PARKING
WHEREAS, the Seward Chamber of Commerce has applied to the Planning and Zoning
Commission for a variance from Seward City Code 15.10.220 Development Requirements, to
allow an access ramp and stairs within the front and side setbacks of Lot 20, Block 25, Original
Townsite of Seward; and
WHEREAS, from the time the 1916 Pullman railroad car was placed on the property in
1963 or 1964 it has failed to meet the required zoning setbacks and parking requirements; and
WHEREAS, on May 28, 1963 the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission granted the
Chamber of Commerce a variance to allow the Alaska Railroad observation car and a sign on Lots
19 and 20, Block 25, O.T.S. to be used as an information center and as a historical monument;
and
WHEREAS, the variance did not address the setback encroachments, or lack of on-site
parking;
WHEREAS, a duly advertised public hearing meeting the requirements set forth in ~
15.01.040 of the Seward Zoning Code was held by the Planning and Zoning Commission on June
2, 1999.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning
Commission that:
Section 1. In accordance with Seward City Code ~ 15.10.325, the Planning and Zoning
Commission addressed the review criteria, and made the fOllowing findings of fact:
A. The proposed action must be consistent with all of the general conditions
required for a conditional use permit:
1. The use is consistent with the purpose of this chapter and the purposes of
the zoning district.
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Seward Planning and Zoning Commission
Resolution No. 99-05
Page 3
available to the lot. Although not part of the variance request, the development proposal includes
the construction of public restrooms on the property. The need for additional public restrooms
is addressed in both the Comprehensive and Strategic Plans.
5. The proposed use will not be harmful to the public safety, health or
welfare. It does not appear that the proposed development will have any harmful effect on the
public safety, health or welfare. The proposed ramp and stairs are replacing the current, unsafe
access to the railcar. The proposal to develop parking for the visitor center within the Jefferson
Street right-of-way needs to be reviewed and approved by the Chief of Police and City Engineer.
According to SCC S 11.15.030, the Chief of Police is the authority responsible for determining
upon what streets angle parking is permitted, however the City Engineer is responsible for the
actual development and maintenance of the right-of-ways and street parking.
6. Any and all specific conditions deemed necessary by the commission to
fulfill the above mentioned conditions shall be met by the applicant. These may include but are
not limited to measures relative to access, screening, site development, building design,
operation of the use and other similar aspects to the proposed use. Identified in Section 2.
B. Special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to the land or
structures involved and which are not applicable to other lands and structures in the same
district. This situation is unique in that even though variances may not be granted for "uses", the
Seward Planning and Zoning Commission granted a variance in 1963 to allow the railcar on the
property. Although the variance only authorized the use of the railroad car as an information
center and historical monument in a residential zoning district, it is not, and never was, physically
possible to place the 10' 4" x 81' 8" railroad car on the 60 x 100 square foot parcel in accordance
with the Zoning Code setback requirements. Although not specifically stated in the variance
document, it could be argued that the original variance to allow the railcar on the property also
granted permission to encroach into the setbacks.
Due to the design of the railcar, access is only available from the front and rear. The main
entrance to the railcar has always been located at the southern end of the car. The applicant has
requested the variance because the proposed access ramp, stairs and landing on the south end of
the railcar will further increase the existing setback encroachment. According to the application,
construction of the access ramp, stairs and landing in the setbacks and right-of-way is necessary
in order make access to the railcar as safe as possible. The rear door of the railcar will provide
the required emergency exit.
C. The special conditions and circumstances have not been caused by actions of
the applicant. In 1963 the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission granted a variance to allow
the railcar on the property as an information center and historical monument, and the Chamber
of Commerce was responsible for placing the railcar on the property.
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Seward Planning and Zoning Commission
Resolution No. 99-05
Page 5
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect 10 days following its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission this 2nd
day ofJune, 1999.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
~eLf{~n
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Calhoon, Darling, Griswold, Larson, Niebrugge
None
Martin, Smith
None
ATTEST:
/X/~
Patrick Reilly
City Clerk
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