HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-12 Planning & Zoning MinutesCITY OF KENAI
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AUGUST 12, 2015 - 7:00 P.M.
CHAIR JEFF TWAIT, PRESIDING
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Commissioner Twait called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
a. Pledge of Allegiance
Twait led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
b. Roll Call
Commissioners present: G. Pettey, D. Fikes, R. Springer, J. Twait, J. Glendening
Staff /Council Liaison present: City Planner M. Kelley, Deputy Clerk J. Heinz, Council Liaison H.
Knackstedt
A quorum was present.
c. *Excused Absences — K. Peterson, J. Focose
d. Agenda Approval
MOTION:
Commissioner Pettey MOVED to approve the agenda; Commissioner Fikes SECONDED the
motion. There were no objections; SO ORDERED.
e. Consent Agenda
MOTION:
Commissioner Springer MOVED to approve the consent agenda and Commissioner Fikes
SECONDED the motion. There were no objections; SO ORDERED.
*All items listed with an asterisk ( *) are considered to be routine and non - controversial by
the Commission and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion
of these items unless a Commission Member so requests, in which case the item will be
removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda
as part of the General Orders.
2. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 8, 2015
Approved by the consent agenda.
3. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT: (10 Minutes) — None.
4. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED: (3 Minutes) — None.
5. CONSIDERATION OF PLATS:
a. PZ15 -22 —Preliminary Original Plat Valhalla Heights Frisk Replat, submitted by
Segesser Surveys, 30485 Rosland St., Soldotna, AK 99669
City Planner Kelley reviewed his staff report recommending approval of the plat with the
following conditions:
• Applicants must comply with all Federal, State and local regulations.
• Applicants must obtain a building permit prior to beginning construction of the greenhouse.
• The Plat of Valhalla Heights Frisk Replat must be recorded prior to the issuance of a
building permit to construct the greenhouse.
MOTION:
Commissioner Fikes MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ15 -22 and Commissioner Pettey
SECONDED the motion.
Chairman Twait opened the public hearing; there being no one wishing to speak, the public
hearing was closed.
VOTE:
YEA: Pettey, Fikes, Springer, Twait
NAY:
ABSTAIN: Glendening
[Clerk's Note: Glendening abstained because, as a member of the Borough's Planning
Commission, he would be voting on this matter at the Borough level.]
MOTION PASSED.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
a. PZ15 -23 — Application to Rezone 207 Evergreen Street & 12848 Kenai Spur
Highway from Rural Residential (RR) to General Commercial (CG). Application
submitted by City of Kenai, 210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska
City Planner Kelley reviewed his staff report recommending approval of the plat with the
following conditions:
• Applicants must comply with all Federal, State and local regulations.
MOTION:
Commissioner Glendening MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ15 -23 and Commissioner
Fikes SECONDED the motion.
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
August 12, 2015
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Chairman Twait opened the public hearing
Richard Lewin spoke against rezoning the property pointing out that commercial businesses are
typically noisy. He also explained that many people walk on the neighborhood street and the
commercial business would increase traffic which would deter walkers.
Dan Sturchie spoke against the rezone pointing out that the plans to build a steel building will
not be desirable for the neighborhood; encouraged donating another lot.
Mayor Porter explained that the manager has been tasked with developing conditions for the
contract associated with the donation which would be approved by Council in the future. She
also pointed out that the planning department would have to approve or not approve a
development plan in the future.
There being no one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
During discussion, administration clarified that a theater use is allowed by Conditional Use in the
Rural Residential zone. It was also clarified that terms of the grant, obtained by Kenai
Performers, required the property be zoned such that special exceptions for the use didn't have
to be applied for.
VOTE:
YEA: Pettey, Fikes,
NAY: Springer, Twait, Glendening
MOTION FAILED.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
S. NEW BUSINESS: None.
9. PENDING ITEMS: None.
10. REPORTS:
a. City Council — Knackstedt explained that the City of Soldotna had recently held a
meeting regarding the legalization of marijuana and was in the beginning stages of
discussing impacts; he also reviewed the action agenda of the August 5, 2015 council
meeting which was provided in the packet.
b. Borough Planning — Glendening explained he had been excused from the meeting, but
pointed out that the minutes from the August 10, 2015 borough planning meeting were
provided in the packet.
c. Administration — Kelley reported that he was working on the following matters:
• Regulation of marijuana.
• Junk car ordinance.
• Airport rezone.
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
August 12, 2015
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11. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED:
Janice Houtz spoke against allowing marijuana to be legal in the City of Kenai. She pointed out
that Soldotna is making positive progress, encouraged the Planning and Zoning Commission to
work toward positive changes.
12. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None.
13. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION: August 26, 2015
COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS:
Glendening pointed out that members of the audience could join commissions or participate in
discussions in several ways; including the Mayor's coffee.
Pettey thanked the community for being present and commenting.
Springer explained that Council tasked the Planning and Zoning Commission to provide
guidance regarding zoning options for legalizing marijuana and that Council is ultimately
responsible for adopting legislation.
Fikes pointed out some of the positive changes Kenai has been making such as identifying a
park where a stage could be built and offering grants to businesses to refurbish their properties.
She also said it was unfortunate that the rezone of the property on Evergreen didn't pass for the
performers as that would have been another positive change.
14. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at
7:54 p.m.
Minutes prepared andLsbmitted by:
JDeyeinz, CMC
City Clerk
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
August 12, 2015
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