HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-28 Planning & Zoning Minutes1. CALL TO ORDER
KENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 28, 2018 -7:00 P.M .
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
210 FIDALGO AVENUE, KENAI, ALASKA
h ttp ://www .kenai .c ity
MINUTES
Commission Chair Twait called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m .
a. Pledge of Allegiance
Commission Chair Twait led those assembled in the Pledge of the Allegiance .
b. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Chair J. Twait, Vice-Chair R. Springer, J . Halstead, K.
Peterson , D . Fikes , V. Askin
Commissioners absent: G. Greenberg
Staff/Council Lia ison present: City Manager P. Ostrander, Deputy Clerk J . Kennedy,
Planning Assistant W . Anderson, Council Liaison H.
Knackstedt
A quorum was present.
c. Agenda Approval
MOTION:
Comm issioner Peterson MOVED to approve the agenda and Comm issioner Halstead
SECONDED the motion . There were no objections; SO ORDERED.
d. Consent Agenda
MOTION:
Commissioner Askin MOVED to approve t he consent agenda and Commissioner Halstead
SECONDED the motion. There were no objections; SO ORDERED .
*All items listed with an asterisk(*) are cons idered to be routine and non-controversial by the
Commiss ion 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 -Gary Greenberg
2. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES : None.
3 . SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT: (10 minutes) None scheduled.
4. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT: (3 minutes) None.
5. CONSIDERAT ION OF PLATS: None.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
a. Resolution PZ2018-03 -Application for a Conditional Use Permit to operate an
approximately 498 square-foot Marijuana Cultivation Facility, Limited , within an existing
approximately 1,252 square foot attached garage; located on the property known as 1817
Sunset Blvd ., Kenai, AK 99611 , and further described as G . L. 5, Section 26, Township 6
North, Range 12 West. Application submitted by: Jennifer Huffman, d/b/a Grateful Buds
LLC, 40095 Lamont St., Kenai , Alaska 99611
City Manager Ostrander reviewed the staff report, which was provided in the packet, not ing the
subject parcel is bound on the West by Cook Inlet, and on the North and South by single family
residences, and on the East by undeveloped property adjacent to the Kenai Spur Highway.
Based on the application and review by staff of the criteria required , approval was recommended
with the following conditions :
• Further development of the property shall conform to all State and local regulations ;
• A building permit will be required for the remodeling of the Commercial Marijuana
Establishment as shown on the submitted floor plan;
• Prior to operation of the Marijuana Cultivation Facility, Limited, the property owner shall
submit a copy of an approved Business License issued by the Sta te of Alaska , Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development;
• Prior to operation of the Marijuana Cultivation Facility, Limited, the property owner shall
submit a copy of the approved and fully executed license for the Marijuana Cultivation
Facility, Limited. The applicant shall comply with all regulations as stipulated by the State
of Alaska Marijuana Control Board;
• There are to be no signs placed on the subject parcel or on the subject Commercial
Marijuana Establishment, which advertise its use on the property;
• All security lighting for the Commercial Marijuana shall be downcast and shie lded;
• At no time shall the Commercial Marijuana Establishment (CME ) be open to the publ ic,
nor shall the CME be accessible by the public;
• Pursuant to Kenai Municipal Code Section 14.20 .330(e), the Commercial Marijuana
Establishment shall not emit an odor that is detectable by the public from outside the
Commercial Marijuana Establishment; and
• Pursuant to Kenai Municipal Code Section 14.20.150(f), the appl icant shall submit an
Annual Report to the City of Kenai.
Chairman Twait opened the floor for public testimony.
Nathan Brass, resident since 2004, next door neighbor to the proposed establishment, expressed
opposition . He noted that he did not see anything posted about this until seeing the new sign
posted . He noted there were already several marijuana establishments , retail or cultivation
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Februa ry 28, 2018
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facilities being set up in the community. He explained that right next to the dwelling , he owns the
two lots . He noted that across the highway a marijuana edibles facility would also be developed .
It was noted that the proposed property was purchased in October, ye t the LLC license was
established in July. Brass exp lained that they had a house fire last year and if they had known
since the purchase of that property it was intended to be a marijuana cultivation facility , he would
not have re-built his home and instead built on their property in Kasi lof. Brass expressed concern
that this would lower their house value as they intended to put it on the market next year. It was
further expressed that too many marijuana establishments are being developed in residential
areas .
With there being no one else wishing to be heard , public comment was c losed .
It was noted that the Commission was bound by C ity Ordinance and if all requirements were met,
it was their obligation to support it. There was question as to the number of facilities being created
and the demand to support them .
It was expressed that although some commissioner's personal opinions were indifferent, they
were bound by City code . It was noted that it was of interest to bring before City Council a
discussion regarding limiting the number of types of facilities in residential areas, at some point in
near future .
Ostrander c larified that there was no limit in code of how many establishments could be in an
area, just the requirements on the buffer distances as outlined in Kenai Municipal Code Section
14.20 .330 .
MOTION:
Commissioner Peterson MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ2018-03 w ith staff
recommendations and Commissioner Askin SECONDED the motion.
MOTION TO AMEND:
Commissioner Peterson MOVED to amend Resolution No. PZ2018-03 with changing the si ze of
the facil ity to 500 ft. in all instances it appeared as presented ; and Comm iss ione r Halstead
SECONDED the motion .
VOTE ON AMENDMENT:
YEA: Twait , Springer, Halstead, Peterson , Fikes, Askin
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
VOTE:
YEA: Springer, Halstead, Peterson, Fikes, Askin , Twait
NAY:
Chairman Twait noted there was a 15-day appeal period .
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Febru ary 28, 201 8
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7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None .
8. NEW BUSINESS: None
9. PENDING ITEMS: None
10. REPORTS:
a. City Council -Council Member Knackstedt reviewed the action agenda from the February
21 City Council meeting; it was clarified that the Overview of the Wastewater Treatment
Plant by Sean Wedemeyer was removed from the Council agenda for a later presentation
date.
b. Borough Planning -Commissioner Fikes reviewed the agenda from the February 26
meeting as provided in the packet; noting there was a Homer elementary school site
recommendation on the agenda as the current location was a residential home that was
built on no foundation so the flooring was unstable and a new location was a priority. She
reported that several community members, School Board members and staff were in
attendance to that meeting. Commissioner Fikes stated the Borough sided with what was
presented by staff, although further from town, it scored higher on the rating scale , most
specifically, cost. They hoped to break ground in December 2018 .
Commissioner Peterson inquired about the controversial gravel pit in Nikiski. Commissioner Fikes
stated that it had not come back before the Commission yet. It was clarified that it was proposed to
be located across the Nikiski Recreation Center/Pool area . Adding that Alaska Department of
Transportation was concerned about the ability to get doubles and single-hull trucks down that road
and the unlikelihood of that area being able to accommodate it.
c. Administration -City Manager Ostrander reported on the following:
• The previous Spur Motel , located on Evergreen Street had new owners and would be
submitting a building permit soon with plans to completely renovate the building;
• Met with Alaska Gas Line Development Corporation regarding the Kenai Spur
Highway relocation and possible waterline extension to the Liquid Natural Gas facility;
• The airport terminal renovations bid for renovating interior and exterior was expected
in near future ;
• Bluff Erosion -there was movement on funding, progress made , and should see
results soon;
• Consultant with Borough Comprehensive Plan wanted to have a wo rk session with the
Planning and Zoning Commission.
11. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT -None .
12. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS-None .
13. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION: March 14, 2018
14. COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
Commissioner Peterson thanked City Manager Ostrander for providing the City Planning report ,
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February 28 , 2018
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Councilor Knackstedt for his report and the audience for their attendance.
It was clarified that the City Planner position recruitment would close this Friday; staff would then
review applications, set up interviews and hopefully have a decision soon .
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m .
Minutes prepared and submitted by:
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
February 28, 2018
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