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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-09 Council Minutes - Work SessionJOINT WORK SESSION CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION AUGUST 9, 2016 — 6:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 210 FIDALGO AVENUE, KENIA AK 99611 http: / /www. kenai. city DRAFT REVISED 2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2016 UPDATE NOTES Council & Commission present: Mayor P. Porter, R. Molloy, H. Knackstedt, B. Gabriel, T. Navarre, D. Fikes, R. Springer, G. Pettey. P. Focose Others present: Acting City Manager T. Eubank, City Attorney S. Bloom, City Planner M. Kelley, City Clerk S. Modigh, E. Benson of Benson Planning Associates A. Call to Order Mayor Porter began the work session at approximately 6:00 p.m. and provided introductions of Council Members and staff present. B. Overview of Work Session — Matt Kelley, City Planner City Planner Kelley reviewed the agenda and flow of the work session presentation. C. Presentation and Overview of revised 2030 Comprehensive Plan — Matt Kelley, City Planner & Elizabeth Benson, Benson Planning Associates City Planner Kelley advised that at the January 6, 2016 council meeting, direction was provided to the City Manager to proceed with an update to the Comprehensive Plan utilizing the 2013 Compressive Plan as the basis. On March 2, 2016, Ordinance No. 2881 -2016 enacted appropriating funding to the Comprehensive Plan Project Fund to complete the update. Kelley noted that as part of the 2016 update process, there were seven opportunities between March and June 2016 to review the plan elements and to provide input to be considered in the update. Specifically, Town Hall meetings were held on March 23, April 16, April 26, and May 10 followed by Planning & Zoning Commission Work Sessions on May 17, 30 and June 23. The commission held a Public Hearing on July 13, recommending the 2016 Plan Update be forwarded to the City Council for approval and adoption. City Planner Kelly and Benson advised that the 2016 Comprehensive Plan update accomplished the following: • The vision and direction of community residents had been reflected in the proposed goals and objectives, which were carried forward from the Draft 2013 Plan and 2003 Plan. Kenai City Council Joint Work Session August 9, 2016 Page 2 Acknowledged and addressed the importance of maintaining livable existing residential neighborhoods and vital commercial centers so that Kenai continued as a great place to live, play, work and do business. Economic development and the implementation of business - friendly regulations and incentives to create a stable, positive climate for private investment were supported. Action items were identified that promote adequate public facilities and services, efficient transportation systems, and accessible parks and open space, all of which contribute to the overall quality of life in Kenai. Mrs. Benson noted that the first few chapters were slightly modified by rewording certain sections. Information pertaining to the Kenai Native Community was not revised as the City didn't received any responses to correspondence sent our requesting information. The City Planner advised to the following updates: • The Natural Hazardous Plan was carried over from the 2013 Plan and updated for the 2016 Plan. • Demographic information was updated along with the education information using KPEED, CED and the Census. • Updated energy costs • Expanded on the oil and gas industry • Updated public facilities, specifically the Municipal Airport • Update the Land Use Table by removing the zoning language throughout. • Expanded on the Land Use Plan Classifications • Created more continuity between the Land Use Map and Zoning Map • Updated new land ownership data based on Borough's current information • Business Improvement Districts were noted in the Plan • Previous strategies were removed for a possible long term planning work plan • Strategies were reworded as objectives and goals • Definitions were provided for goals, objectives and action items. Kelley advised that the City Center was not added as administration would like further direction from Council on inclusion. A matrix was added in the packet although not a part of the plan to outline amendments and or recommendations made by the Commission and residents including the rationale of the proposed amendments. It was noted that Administration requested new photographs, which would be provided to Council as an amendment as well as inclusion of the table of contents. Commissioner Fikes provided an outline of the open process provided for the community. Mayor Porter thanked all the commissioners for their hard work and participation in updating the Plan. D. Public Comment (limited to 3 minutes per speaker; 30 minutes' aggregate) Kenai City Council Joint Work Session August 9, 2016 Page 3 Pete Hanson noted that there was a lack of promoting and encouraging tourism in our community, which would boost our economy. He further noted that the millennium square was mentioned in the previous plans, but was removed from this plan. Kelley noted that in the 2013 plan there was a strategy related to tourism, which was erroneously omitted from this plan. The language would be provided to the Council as a proposed amendment to include the language from the 2013 plan. E. Council Discussion — Mayor Porter Council requested the town center be included as a goal of the Council with additional objectives derived from the KOOL Committee. It was further noted to reference the committee's plan with a location to review the entire plan. Molloy expressed his appreciation of the work completed by the Commission, consultant and the community. He inquired whether public comment was solicited to which the consultant noted there was opportunity; however, none was provided. He further inquired as to why the meetings were so lengthy rather than broken into smaller sections. Benson noted this was not a complete revision but more a brief update of certain sections spending most time on the land use table. It was noted by the commission felt they handled a workload was appropriate. Molloy noted there wasn't much discussion about small businesses or the marijuana industry and that he's like to see information on our wildlife in general not only fishing. Molloy pointed out items that were dropped from the plan including discussion of retail sections, and that the native community updates were not reflected related to their development; questioned how much detail we were placing in the plan. Navarre noted that he personally refrained from influencing the Commission during the process and expressed his excitement on a completed plan with future updates. Navarre spoke in favor or the fluidity of the plan. He requested an amendment in transportation to add a community transit system; thought the Commission did a great job and would not support many amendments other than those noted at the work session. Gabriel requested that on the acknowledgements page the footnote be relocated. He also requested verbiage be included regarding subsistence fishing related to the native community with pictures along with mention of the elder center. Additionally, Gabriel spoke in favor of moving this plan forward and thanked the Commission and Administration. Lastly, Gabriel requested inclusion of a historical reference related to Captain Cook and the Cook Inlet. Knackstedt noted that after attending approximately 50 meetings on the previous and current plan, believed that this was a well put together plan that will have an opportunity for updates in the future; looking forward to moving the City forward. Mayor advised that this was the most advertised process for public comment Kenai City Council Joint Work Session August 9, 2016 Page 4 Commissioner Pettey noted that she nor the Commission felt rushed or under the gun on the timeline provided to complete the update and that the Commission knew this was a dynamic document that would be updated in the future. Navarre recommended a substitute ordinance with a detailed memo on amendments. Molloy pointed out that on it was stated in the plan that the City was responsible for the personal use fishery and that the language needed to be revised. Spoke in favor of including verbiage related to buffers and buffer zones. Commissioner Fikes noted that the Commission was dealing with both the cannabis and the update simultaneously and believed the marijuana industry could be included as a future update. F. Public Comment (limited to 3 minutes per speaker; 30 minutes' aggregate) Mayor thanked all for their attendance and participation. The work session was adjourned at approximately 7:26 p.m.