HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. PZ2016-06"V'llaye with a Past, Ci with a Future
210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794
Telephone: 907 - 283 -7535 / Fax: 907- 283 -3014
4ihe www.kenai.city
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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. PZ16 -06
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF KENAI
GRANTING A REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE AN
APPROXIMATELY 400 - SQUARE -FOOT RETAIL MARIJUANA STORE AND AN
APPROXIMATELY 860- SQUARE -FOOT MARIJUANA CULTIVATION FACILITY, STANDARD,
WITHIN AN EXISTING APPROXIMATELY 2,256- SQUARE -FOOT COMMERCIAL BUILDING.
APPLICANT: Roger Boyd
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 5455 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai, AK 99611
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 6A1, Thompson Park 2013 Replat
KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH PARCEL NO: 04907032
WHEREAS, an application meeting the requirements of Section 14.20.150 has been submitted
and received on February 4, 2016; and,
WHEREAS, the application affects land which is zoned as Limited Commercial (LC); and,
WHEREAS, a duly advertised public hearing as required by Kenai Municipal Code 14.20.153
was conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission on March 23, 2016; and,
WHEREAS, the applicant has demonstrated with plans and other documents that the
prerequisites of a Conditional Use Permit have been met. Kenai Municipal Code 14.20.150
details the intent and application process for conditional uses. The code also specifies the
review criteria that must be satisfied prior to issuing the permit. The criteria are:
A. The use is consistent with the purpose of this chapter and the purposes and intent
of the zoning district.
The subject parcel is zoned Limited Commercial (LC), and is therefore subject to the
Principal Permitted and Conditional land -uses as shown on KMC 14.22.010 - Land Use
Table. Pursuant to Ordinance 2870 -2016 as approved by the Council of the City of Kenai on
January 20, 2016 which became effective on February 19, 2016, a Retail Marijuana Store
and a Marijuana Cultivation Facility, Standard may be established and operated under a
Conditional Use Permit within the Limited Commercial Zone, The Limited Commercial
Resolution No. PZ16 -06 Conditional Use Permit
Page 12
Zone as outlined in KMC 14.20.115 is intended to provide transition areas between
commercial and residential districts by allowing low to medium volume businesses, mixed
residential and other compatible uses which complement and do not materially detract
from the uses allowed with adjacent districts.
In 2006, the subject parcel was rezoned from General Commercial to Limited
Commercial, which caused some businesses within the surrounding area to becoming
nonconforming. KMC 14.20.050(b) permits nonconformities to continue operating until
such time as they are removed or cease operation. Due to the subject parcel being
rezoned, the convenience /liquor store and gas station became legal nonconforming
because an Automotive Service Station could only be established with a Conditional Use
Permit under the Limited Commercial Zone.
Thus, its use was allowed to continue until it was closed in 2008 and remained closed for
twelve (12) consecutive months pursuant to KMC 14.20.050(e)(5), it could not be
reestablished except by a Conditional Use Permit.
As discussed above, on March 7, 2013 a Conditional Use Permit was approved by the
Planning and Zoning Commission which allowed for the operation of an Internet /Retail
Business to sell seafood products. Given the intent of the Limited Commercial Zone which
allows a mixture of low to medium volume businesses mixed with residential and other
compatible uses a retail business would be appropriate within the zone. As discussed
above, the applicant has applied for a Conditional Use Permit to establish and operate a
Retail Marijuana Store and Marijuana Cultivation Facility, Standard within an existing
approximately 2,256- square -foot commercial building located on the subject parcel.
Pursuant to the submitted floor plan, the Retail Marijuana Store would occupy
approximately 400 - square -foot and the Marijuana Cultivation Facility would occupy
approximately 860 square feet. The remaining, approximately 996 square feet would be
used for an office, work room, bathroom, storage room and mechanical room.
The Kenai Spur Highway is classified by the State of Alaska Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities as a Major Collector. A collector is defined as "A road classification
applicable to roads serving a mixture of local access and through traffic, for which the
volume, average speed, and trip length of vehicles using the road are usually lower than
for principal or minor arterials, but higher than for local roads." Furthermore, KMC
14.20.320 defines a Collector as "...a street located and designed for the primary purpose
of carrying through traffic and of connecting major areas of the City ". Pursuant to the
submitted site plan, primary access to the subject Commercial Marijuana Establishment
(CME) would be from the Kenai Spur Highway, and not through the surrounding
residential neighborhood. Therefore, impacts to the surrounding residential neighborhood
should be minimal, with regards to vehicular access.
Therefore, given the above discussion within the context of the proposed land -use project,
it seems reasonable the proposed Commercial Marijuana Establishment would be
consistent with the purpose of KMC 14.20.150 and the intent of the Limited Commercial
Zoning District given the compliance with staff recommended specific conditions of
approval.
B. The value of the adjoining property and neighborhood will not be significantly impaired.
Resolution No. PZ16 -06 Conditional Use Permit
Page 13
The proposed development must be in compliance with the requirements of KMC
14.20.330 Standards for Commercial Marijuana Establishments. In addition, the proposed
development must also be in compliance with Alaska Statue 17.38, an Act to Tax and
Regulate the Production, Sale, and Use of marijuana as well as Alaska Administrative
Code - Title 3 — Marijuana Control Board — Omnibus licensure requirements and
procedures for marijuana establishments.
Pursuant to KMC 14.20.010 — Land Use Table, a Retail Marijuana Store and a Marijuana
Cultivation Facility, Standard may be established in the Limited Commercial Zone with a
Conditional Use Permit. In addition, pursuant to KMC 14.20.330 — Standards for
Commercial Marijuana Establishments, provisions have been put in place to help mitigate
impacts to the value of adjoining property and the surrounding neighborhood.
Pursuant to the submitted application materials and a site visit by staff, the proposed
CME would comply with the requirements contained within KMC 14.20.330. As reviewed
by staff, the proposed CME would be contained within a fully enclosed secure indoor
facility as required by KMC 14.20.330(d), thereby, helping to mitigate the potential impact
to surrounding property owners. In addition, pursuant to KMC 14.20.330(e) all CME's
shall not emit an odor that is detectable by the public from outside the CME. Pursuant to
the submitted supplemental application materials, under Section 2 the applicant has
indicated that they will implement an Odor Control Plan. The Odor Control Plan will
consist of carbon filters and a negative -ion generator. In addition, should odor if needed
to further control odor, the applicant would install an ozone generator within the attic
spaces of the CME.
With regards to visual impacts and auditory impacts of the proposed CME, KMC
Chapter 14.25 details the requirements of the submission and approval of a Landscape
Site Plan. KMC 14.25.020 gives the requirements and in part states that a Landscape Site
Plan is required for all commercial development which requires a change of use under
KMC 14.20.250(a). The proposed project requires a change of use under KMC
14.20.250(a) — Off - street parking and loading requirements requires the submission of a
Landscape Site Plan because the proposed use of the building is a change of use. A
Landscape Site Plan will be required to be approved by the Planning Department prior to
issuance of the Building Permit. The Landscape Site Plan will need to demonstrate
compliance with the off - street parking requirements in KMC 14.20.250(8) for a "Store:
Retail and wholesale sales of non- bulky items ", which requires One (1) space per 300
square feet of gross floor area and a "Nurseries and greenhouses" which requires One (1)
space per 500 square feet of gross floor area. Therefore, 2- spaces will be required for the
Retail Marijuana Store and 4 spaces will be required for the Marijuana Cultivation Facility,
Standard for a total of 6 off - street parking spaces. In addition, to reduce the visual impact
of the proposed CME, it is recommended that 10 new 6 -inch diameter by a minimum of 6-
foot tall native spruce trees be planted in the southern section of the subject lot to aid in
natural screening.
In addition, to further minimize visual impacts of the proposed CME from the adjacent
single- family residences located to the west and south, staff recommends that the
existing 8 -foot cedar fence which was built as part of the Landscape Site Plan
requirements in 1986 for the convenience /liquor be replaced. Staff further recommends
that the fence be extended to run the full length of the western property line and be
constructed as a "good neighbor" fence.
Resolution No. PZ16 -06 Conditional Use Permit
Page 14
Pursuant to Alaska Statue 17.38, an Act to Tax and Regulate the Production, Sale, and
Use of marijuana as well as Alaska Administrative Code — Title 3 — Marijuana Control
Board — Omnibus licensure requirements and procedures for marijuana establishments an
appropriate license for a Marijuana Establishment will have to be issued by the State of
Alaska Marijuana Control Board. Staff therefore recommends that a condition be added to
require that prior to operation of the CME a copy of the approved appropriate license be
furnished to the City of Kenai.
Therefore, provided that all conditions recommended by staff and the Planning and
Zoning Commission are followed, staff believes that the value of the adjoining property
and neighborhood will not be significantly impaired.
C. The proposed use is in harmony with the Comprehensive Plan.
The subject parcel is defined in the 2003 Comprehensive Plan as Neighborhood
Commercial. The plan defines Neighborhood Commercial as 'The Neighborhood
Commercial district applies to areas along the arterial road system that are suitable for
small -scale neighborhood - serving retail, service, and office uses." The Limited
Commercial Zone closely resembles the Mixed Use Zone in the 2003 Comprehensive
Plan. The Mixed Use District fosters a compatible mix of retail, service, office, public,
institutional recreational and multi - family residential uses. The district does not prescribe
specific proportions for these uses, only that all these uses are desirable within the
district. The existing commercial building, which was built in 1986 has traditionally served
in a small -scale neighborhood- serving retail capacity. The proposed use of the existing
building as a CME would be a similar type use in that it is a small -scale neighborhood -
serving retail use. The applicant has proposed to remodel the exterior of the building to
create a more modern looking structure that would be clad in wood with earth -tone colors.
As proposed, the proposed use would be in harmony with the 2003 Comprehensive Plan
and mixed use nature of the larger surrounding neighborhood and is consistent with
existing development along the Kenai Spur Highway.
D. Public services and facilities are adequate to serve the proposed use.
The subject property is served by City water and sewer. City of Kenai police and fire
department resources are sufficient to serve the proposed use.
E. The proposed use will not be harmful to the public safety, health orwelfare.
The proposed use is to establish and operate a Commercial Marijuana Establishment
consisting of an approximately 400 - square -foot Retail Marijuana Store and an
approximately 800 - square -foot Marijuana Cultivation Facility, Standard. The proposed
CME would be located within an existing approximately 2,256- square -foot commercial
building, located on an approximately 40,096- square -foot lot. Pursuant to the submitted
application, the CME would not emit an odor that is detectable by the public from outside
the CME pursuant to KMC 14.20.330(d). The CME would also require the approval and
issuance of a Standard Marijuana Cultivation Facility license and a Retail Marijuana Store
license from the State of Alaska Marijuana Control Board. Both licenses are subject to the
provisions found in Alaska Statue 17.38, an Act to Tax and Regulate the Production, Sale,
and Use of marijuana as well as Alaska Administrative Code — Title 3 — Marijuana Control
Board — Omnibus licensure requirements and procedures for marijuana establishments.
Resolution No. PZ16 -06 Conditional Use Permit
Page 15
With regards to buffer distances as discussed in KMC 14.20.330(f)(1), the proposed CME
would not be located within 1,000 feet of any primary and secondary school (K -12) or
within 500 feet of any vocational program, post- secondary school including but not limited
to trade, technical, or vocational schools, college and universities, recreation or youth
centers, correctional facilities, churches, and state licensed substance abuse treatment
facilities providing substance abuse treatment. Therefore, the proposed CME meets the
buffer requirements of KMC 14.20.330(f)(1).
With regards to consumption of Marijuana and Marijuana Products within the proposed
Retail Marijuana, the applicant has indicated that they will not allow it to take place. Thus,
the operation of the proposed Retail Marijuana Store would comply with Ordinance No.
2868 -2015, which was approved by the Council of the City of Kenai on January 6, 2016
and became effective February 5, 2016. Pursuant to the subject Ordinance and Alaska
Administrative Code - Title 3 — Marijuana Control Board - Omnibus licensure requirements
and procedures for marijuana establishments, the consumption of Marijuana and
Marijuana Products, would be allowed within a designated area of a Retail Marijuana
Store. However, the Alaska State regulations do not provide any standards for which the
Marijuana Control Board would approve or disapprove a Retail Marijuana Store to permit
consumption of marijuana or marijuana products.
Thus, it was in the best interest of the City of Kenai pursuant to the above Ordinance to
establish a moratorium prohibiting the consumption of marijuana and marijuana products
in Retail Marijuana Stores until further guidance is provided by the Marijuana Control
Board or State Legislature ensures minimum health and safety standards are met to
protect consumers, the public, first responders, and employees of such establishments.
Therefore, pursuant to the above Ordinance a Moratorium is in effect for one year from
the effective date of the Ordinance, unless terminated sooner or extended by Ordinance
of the City Council.
Therefore, giving the above discussion and proposed conditions of approval, staff believes
that they proposed Commercial Marijuana Establishment, consisting of an approximately
400 - square -foot Retail Marijuana Store and an approximately 800 - square -foot Marijuana
Cultivation Facility, Standard would not have a harmful impact to the public safety, health
or welfare.
WHEREAS, any and all specific conditions deemed necessary by the Planning and
Zoning Commission to fulfill the conditions as set forth below 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 related to the proposed use, as follows:
Further development of the property shall conform to all Federal, State, and local
regulations.
2. Prior to issuance of the Building Permit, the property owner shall submit a Landscape
Site Plan for review and approval by Planning Administration. The Landscape Site Plan
shall demonstrate compliance with Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 14.25 —
LandscapinglSite Plan Regulations. The Landscape Site Plan shall also include a
provision for the planting of ten (10) 6 -inch diameter native spruce trees in the southern
Resolution No. PZ16 -06 Conditional Use Permit
Page 16
3.
portion of the subject parcel to aid in visual screening.
commercial building, the property owner shall construct an 8 -foot tall "Good Neighbor"
cedar fence along the entire length of the western and southwestern property lines. A
Building Permit is also required for the construction of the cedar fence. The cedar fence
shall be maintained in perpetuity by the property owner.
4. Prior to operation of the Retail Marijuana Store and /or the Marijuana Cultivation Facility,
Standard, the property owner shall submit a copy of the approved and fully executed
license for the Retail Marijuana Store and the Marijuana Cultivation Facility, Standard.
The property owner shall comply with any and all regulations as stipulated by the State
of Alaska Marijuana Control Board.
5. A Sign Permit will be required for the construction of the proposed marquee sign which
is shown on the submitted floor plan and building elevations. Prior to installation of any
new signs, a Sign Permit shall be submitted to the City of Kenai Planning Department
for review and approval.
6. Pursuant to Kenai Municipal Code Section 14.20.150(f) the property owner shall submit
an Annual Report to the City of Kenai.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA THAT THE APPLICANT HAS
DEMONSTRATED THAT THE PROPOSED OPERATION OF AN APPROXIMATELY
EXISTING APPROXIMATELY 2.256-SQUARE-FOOT COMMERCIAL BUILDING MEETS
THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR SAID OPERATION AND THEREFORE THE
COMMISSION DOES AUTHORIZE THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIAL TO ISSUE
THE APPROPRIATE PERMIT.
PASSED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING
KE AI, ALASKA, this 13th day of April, 2016.
VTAJ4
jW T it, Chairp rson
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF