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Home My WebLink About2016-03-09 Planning & Zoning MinutesCITY OF KENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MARCH 9, 2016 - 7:00 P.M. CHAIR JEFF TWAIT, PRESIDING MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER: Commission Chair Twait called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. a. Pledge of Allegiance Twait led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. b. Roll Call Commissioners present: R. Springer, J. Twait, K. Peterson, J. Glendening, J. Focose, D. Fikes, G. Pettey Staff /Council Liaison present: City Planner M. Kelley, Deputy Clerk J. Heinz, Airport Manager M. Bondurant, Council Liaison H. Knackstedt A quorum was present. c. Agenda Approval Commissioner Peterson noted the following items to be removed /added to the agenda /packet: 6.a. PZ16 -05 • Memo from Councilor Knackstedt, Approved by Council • Copy of Quitclaim Deed from FAA 6.b. PZ16 -07 • Copy of Rezoning Application • Memo from the Airport Manager • Memo from the City Planner • Correspondence from residents 6.c. PZ16 -08 • Copy of Rezoning Application • Memo from the Airport Manager • Correspondence from residents MOTION: Commissioner Peterson MOVED to approve the agenda including the additions to the packet; Commissioner Fikes SECONDED the motion. There were no objections; SO ORDERED. d. Consent Agenda MOTION: Commissioner Glendening MOVED to approve the consent agenda; Commissioner Peterson 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. e. *Excused Absences — None. 2. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 24, 2016 Approved by the consent agenda. 3. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT: (10 Minutes) 4. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED: (3 Minutes) 5. CONSIDERATION OF PLATS: None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS: a. PZ16 -05 — An Ordinance of the Council of the City of Kenai, Alaska Amending Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 14.20 — Kenai Zoning Code, to Enact Kenai Municipal Code Section 14.20.065 — Airport Light Industrial Zone and Amending Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 14.24 — Development Requirements Tables, to Add the Airport Light Industrial Zone. City Planner Kelley reviewed his staff report providing a history explaining that the Ordinance was the culmination of work sessions between the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Airport Commission, at the direction of City Council, and recommended approval of the Resolution, which was a recommendation to City Council to approve the ordinance. The ordinance provided the following code amendments: • Adding sections regarding intent, development requirements, and parking requirements • Adding definitions for airport compatible uses and necessary aviation facilities • Modifying the land use table The City Planner recommended the following additional amendment: • Changing the land use table to reflect that mini - storage facilities, storage yards, and warehouses be allowed by conditional use permit as opposed to being allowed without permitting. MOTION: Commissioner Peterson MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ16 -05 with staff recommendations Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting March 9, 2016 Page 2 and Commissioner Fikes SECONDED the motion. Chairman Twait opened the public hearing Kristine Schmidt spoke against the resolution noting there were no provisions for buffers between residences and the airport and also does not address the health and safety of residents. She also suggested the airport was a high impact to residents on Float Plane Road. There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed. It was noted that the land was trapped and a solution was being sought to try to resolve the issue and allow Kenai to grow. It was also noted that the land's specific use was to fund the airport and be used for airport uses. MOTION TO AMEND: Commissioner Springer MOVED amend the land use table to change mini - storage facilities, storage yards, and warehouses from permitted use to allowable by conditional use permit and Commissioner Focose SECONDED the motion. VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT: YEA: Glendening, Peterson, Fikes, Focose, Twait, Springer, Pettey NAY: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: YEA: Glendening, Peterson, Fikes, Focose, Twait, Springer, Pettey NAY: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. b. PZ16 -07 — An Ordinance of the Council of the City of Kenai, Alaska Amending the Official Kenai Zoning Map by Rezoning 48 Parcels Owned by the City of Kenai, Located Within the Airport Reserve Boundary from Conservation Zone, Rural Residential, and Light Industrial Zone to Airport Light Industrial Zone, and Rezoning a Parcel Owned by the City of Kenai, Located Within the Airport Reserve Boundary Described as: Lot 1A, Kenai Cemetery Expansion #2 With Vacation of Section Line Easements; (KPB Parcel No. 04317037) from Suburban Residential Zone together with Conservation Zone (Split Zone) to Conservation Zone. City Planner Kelley reviewed his staff report recommending approval of the Resolution PZ16 -07, which was a recommendation to City Council to approve an ordinance to rezone 48 parcels to protect the viability of the airport and encourage appropriate development and compatible land uses consistent with aviation uses Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting March 9, 2016 Page 3 MOTION: Commissioner Peterson MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ16 -07 and Commissioner Fikes SECONDED the motion. Chairman Twait opened the public hearing. Kristine Schmidt spoke against the resolution suggesting City Council asked for recommendations, not rezoning. Also suggested that a rezoning shouldn't be done due to the repeal of the Comprehensive Plan; she read her letter into the record which was included in the laydown. There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed. It was noted that the airport was a nuisance because of noise; that the buffer zones could be reconsidered; that a lot of time was spent at work sessions reviewing buffer zones but no one came forth to express concerns. Staff pointed out that the Airport Master Plan was being reviewed by the Airport Commission and operations, expansions, and noise mitigation options were being considered; that rezoning the properties dovetailed with the master plan review. It was also pointed out that most development was near the current terminal. VOTE: YEA: Glendening, Fikes, Focose, Springer, Pettey NAY: Twait, Peterson MOTION PASSED. c. PZ16 -08 — An Ordinance of the Council of the City of Kenai, Alaska Amending the Official Kenai Zoning Map By Rezoning an approximately 900 -foot portion of a Parcel Owned by the City of Kenai Described as: W112 Lying N. of Kenai Spur Hwy. & E. of Marathon Rd., Excluding All Baron Park Subs. & Kenai Industrial Park, (KPB Parcel No. 04501057), and a Parcel Owned by the City of Kenai Described as: S 112, S 112, SW 114, Lying South of the Kenai Spur Hwy. (KPB Parcel No. 04501003) from Conservation to General Commercial. City Planner Kelley reviewed his staff report and provided a history of the parcels, noting previous plats had been approved but not recorded; recommended approval of the rezone noting the following: • Any future development would require Landscape Site Plans which would address buffers for residents along Lawton Drive • Adoption of the ordinance changes the zones; doesn't change the uses • Further subdivision would be required to retain buffers or designate a park • Parcels were narrow and after parking, setbacks, snow storage, etc. there was little left to develop. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting March 9, 2016 Page 4 MOTION: Commissioner Peterson MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ16 -08 with staff recommendations and Commissioner Fikes SECONDED the motion. Chairman Twait opened the public hearing. Mayor Porter noted consideration of rezoning these particular parcels had always been a contentious issue and that the Airport Commission requested it so they could complete the Airport Master Plan. She also noted that the airport had to remain self- sustaining in order that taxpayers didn't have to subsidize it and when airport properties were leased or sold, the funds were designated to the Airport Fund. Roy Wells spoke against rezoning one of the parcels due to the houses across street; noted general commercial was much different than conservation; spoke in favor of keeping the park. Lucy Barton encouraged the City to purchase the parcel from the airport. Kristine Schmidt spoke against rezoning the parcels, noting there wasn't a big demand to rezone, that residents oppose rezoning, and that restrictions created by Landscape Site Plans were not satisfactory as rocks were not as good as trees. She suggested the City purchase the property and that not every inch of property needed to be developed and monetized. Debbie Adamson spoke against rezoning suggesting the City and the Airport trade land. She noted she loved the green look of Kenai; used Lawton Drive to walk; many visit the park. She also noted that school children walked to and from school utilizing Lawton Drive and the additional traffic that rezoning would bring was worrisome. Bob McIntosh noted the history of the funding of Wildflower Field; suggested the Federal Aviation Administration wouldn't repossess the land and that conservation is not a trap. He also noted the green spaces were what made people want to live here. Roy Wells spoke regarding the monetization of property, pointing out that the City benefited twice when selling property for retail use, first with the profits from selling the land and then again with the taxes collected by the retail establishment. He suggested it was a small price to pay to keep a buffer of land to separate residences from commercial. There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed. Administration clarified differences in the meaning of conservation district in the 2003 Comprehensive Plan and in Kenai Municipal Code. Also noted the original deed pre -dated zoning codes. VOTE: YEA: NAY: Glendening, Peterson, Fikes, Focose, Twait, Springer, Pettey MOTION FAILED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting March 9, 2016 Page 5 8. NEW BUSINESS: None. 9. PENDING ITEMS: None. i• ; ••- a. City Council — Council Member Knackstedt reported on the following meetings: March 2, 2016: • Enacted an Ordinance to fund the revisions of the 2003 Comprehensive Plan. • Also provided a challenge grant for the fire suppression system for the Russian Orthodox Church. b. Borough Planning — No report; no meetings. c. Administration — Kelley reported on the following matters: • The All Hazard Mitigation Plan required a 5 -year update; would be scheduling meetings to do so. • Met with the consultant for the Comprehensive Plan Revision; discussed meetings and developing a process. 11. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED: Airport Manager M. Bondurant spoke about the process required for projects at the airport; noting environmental assessments and findings of impact as well as public noticing and public hearings. She also noted that the airport wanted to be a good neighbor and took impacts of construction and noise seriously. 12. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None. 13. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION: March 23, 2016 Commissioner Pettey noted she would be absent. 14. COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS: Commissioner Pettey thanked City Planner M. Kelley and those that testified. She noted she would like to see the parcels on Lawton Drive to be permanently placed in conservation. Commissioner Fikes added that she appreciated public comments and the transparency from the airport manager. 15. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting March 9, 2016 Page 6 inutes prepared Ond submitted by: Heinz, CIVIC GdeR. (Clerk '>37 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting March 9, 2016 Page 7