HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-14 Planning & Zoning MinutesKENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 14, 2019 — 7:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
210 FIDALGO AVENUE, KENAI, ALASKA
CHAIR JEFF TWAIT, PRESIDING
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER
Commission Chair Twait called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Commission Chair Twait led those assembled in the Pledge of the Allegiance.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Chair J. Twait, Vice -Chair D. Fikes, R. Springer, J. Halstead
Commissioners absent: V. Askin, T. McIntyre, G. Greenberg
Staff/Council Liaison present: City Planner E. Appleby, Planning Assistant W. Anderson,
City Clerk J. Heinz, City Attorney S. Bloom, Council Liaison
B. Molloy
A quorum was present.
3. Agenda Approval
The following revisions to the packet were noted:
Add to item F.1.
Add to item F.2.
MOTION:
Resolution No. PZ2019-27
• Public Comment
Resolution No. PZ2019-29
Public Comment
Commissioner Halstead MOVED to approve the agenda with the additions to the packet and
Commissioner Springer SECONDED the motion. There were no objections; SO ORDERED.
4. Consent Agenda
MOTION:
Commissioner Halstead MOVED to approve the consent agenda and Commissioner Springer
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.
5. *Excused absences — V. Askin, T. McIntyre, G. Greenberg
B. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. July 24, 2019
The minutes were approved by the Consent Agenda.
C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT—None.
D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT— None.
E. CONSIDERATION OF PLATS
Resolution PZ2019-31 - The Original Preliminary Plat of Evergreen Subdivision 2019
Replat, submitted by McLane Consulting, Inc., P.O. Box 498, Soldotna, AK 99669, on
behalf of Wallace and Leona Jackson, P.O. Box 1948, Kenai, AK 99611.
MOTION:
Commissioner Halstead MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ2019-31 and Commissioner
Springer SECONDED the motion.
City Planner Appleby reviewed the staff report provided in the packet noting the plat vacated a
property line between two lots so the accessory structure stood on the same lot as the residence
and recommended approval with the following condition:
• Further development of the property shall conform to all federal, State of Alaska, and local
regulations.
Chair Twait opened the floor for public testimony; there being no one wishing to be heard, public
comment was closed.
Clarification was provided that water could be provided to the garage so long as it did not cross
another property line and would be a part of the Building Permit process.
VOTE:
YEA: Springer, Fikes, Twait, Halstead
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
August 14, 2019
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Resolution PZ2019-27 - Application for a Conditional Use Permit to Operate an
Approximately Retail Marijuana Store Described as Lot 2, C Plaza Subdivision and
Located at 12516 Kenai Spur Highway. The application was submitted by ACG, LLC,
5455 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai, AK 99611.
MOTION:
Commissioner Springer MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ2019-27 and Commissioner
Halstead SECONDED the motion.
City Planner Appleby reviewed the staff report provided in the packet noting the Conditional Use
Permit would allow an approximately 250 square foot Retail Marijuana Store area within an
already permitted Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facility and, based on the review of criteria,
found that the permit could be approved with the following conditions:
• Further development of the property shall conform to all federal, State of Alaska, and local
regulations;
• Prior to operation of the retail marijuana establishment, the applicant shall submit a copy
of an approved and fully executed license from the State of Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana
Control Office. The applicant shall comply with all regulations stipulated by the State of
Alaska Marijuana Control Office;
• Pursuant to Kenai Municipal Code Section 14.20.330(e), the Commercial Establishment
shall not emit an odor that is detectable by the public from outside the Commercial
Marijuana Establishment;
Pursuant to Kenai Municipal Code Section, 14.20.150(f) the applicant shall submit an
Annual Report to the City of Kenai;
The applicant will enclose the dumpster on the premises with a sight -obscuring structure
to meet requirements outlined in KMC 14.25.045 for their site plan of the premises;
The applicant will also comply with the conditions of PZ2017-20 granting their Commercial
Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facility Conditional Use Permit for the facility in the
same building and modify that permit if the use changes.
Chair Twait opened the floor for public testimony.
Roger Boyd, Principal of ACG, LLC, addressed the letter from Kenai Christian Church provided
in the laydown noting the former Planner watched the church on several occasions during the
permitting process for the Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facility in 2017 and it was determined
the main entrance of the church was further than the required distance and noted a neon beer
sign was closer to the church than 500 -feet. He pointed out regulations being in place brought
marijuana off the black market. Finally, Mr. Boyd provided a history of the building and suggested
marijuana retail shops were similar to small neighborhood convenience stores.
David Hall spoke against the Conditional Use Permit noting the family orientation of the adjacent
strip mall, which he owned; also noted his building shared a parking lot with the subject building
and expressed concern with the measurement of distance between the facility and church. He
added that the coffee shop in the plaza occasionally hosted bible studies and the Friendship
Mission for men was nearby.
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There being no one else wishing to be heard, public comment was closed
Clarification was provided that in 2017, it was found that the main entrance door to be 504 -feet
from the marijuana establishment using GIS Software and a survey showed 516 -feet from
proposed establishment to the main, covered entrance of the church.
The applicant noted the double glass doors would be the main entrance to the Marijuana Retail
Store; the same entrance as the former establishment.
It was noted that the establishment had been operating as a manufacturing facility without
complaint and legally met the requirements.
Clarification was provided that, in 2017, there wasn't a condition put in place regarding signage,
just that a sign permit be obtained.
Appreciation was expressed for the testimony presented, it was noted the legal criteria had been
met and the Commission members agreed with staff's findings and would support the Permit.
Clarification provided that a Conditional Use Permit for each use was preferred so, if one use was
ended, the associated permit would expire with the specific use.
VOTE:
YEA: Springer, Fikes, Twait, Halstead
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Commission Chair Twait noted the fifteen -day appeal period.
2. Resolution PZ2019-29 - Recommending the Council of the City of Kenai Amend
Kenai Municipal Code 14.20.330 - Standards for Commercial Marijuana
Establishments, to Incorporate Hours of Operation for Retail Marijuana
Establishments into the City of Kenai's Code of Ordinances.
MOTION:
Commissioner Halstead MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ2019-29 and Commissioner
Springer SECONDED the motion.
City Planner Appleby reviewed the staff report provided in the packet noting the recommendation
would go to City Council to amend the Municipal Code to provide local closure requirement be
from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., consistent with other areas in the Kenai Peninsula Borough; also
noted the State of Alaska's regulations were from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Chair Twait opened the floor for public testimony.
Ron Isaacs spoke against the resolution noting alcohol establishments could be open later;
suggested alcohol and other drugs were more dangerous than marijuana. Mr. Isaacs also
suggested that if a retail marijuana store wanted to stay open until 5:00 a.m. during times of high
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volume, such as during the Dipnet Fishery, they should be able to.
There being no one else wishing to be heard, public comment was closed.
It was noted the desire was to match the Kenai Peninsula Borough regulations so there was no
undue advantage.
The suggestion was made that it may be an issue for Kenai to be open later than Soldotna in
terms of a customer driving to get product. Cost effectiveness of being open versus being closed
during slow times was also discussed.
VOTE:
YEA: Springer, Fikes, Twait, Halstead
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Resolution PZ2019-32 - Recommending the Council of the City of Kenai Enact
Ordinance 3072-2019 to Renaming, Repealing, and Re-enacting Kenai Municipal Code
Title 22 -General Fund Lands, Renaming Title 21 -City Airport and Airport Lands, and
Repealing Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 21.15 -Lease and Sale of Airport Lands Outside
of the Airport Reserve to Encourage Responsible Growth and Development to Support a
Thriving Business, Recreation and Cultural Community through Responsible Land
Policies and Practices.
MOTION:
Commissioner Springer MOVED to approve Resolution No. PZ2019-32 and Commissioner
Halstead SECONDED the motion.
City Planner Appleby reviewed the staff report provided in the packet noting that a working group
within Administration developed the policies and procedures and Council had referred the
Ordinance to the Commission for a recommendation. She added that the Ordinance offered
development incentives, provided for a competitive lease and sale process, and required
development to discourage speculation. Appleby also noted the proposed changes aligned with
two objectives identified in the Comprehensive Plan.
Chair Twait opened the floor for public testimony; there being no one wishing to be heard, public
comment was closed.
VOTE:
YEA: Springer, Fikes, Twait, Halstead
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS— None.
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H. NEW BUSINESS
1. Action/Approval- Application for Lease of City -owned Land within the Airport Reserve
Described as a Portion of Tract A, General Aviation Apron Subdivision No. 2 and Located
at 209 N. Willow Street. The application was submitted by SOAR International Ministries,
P.O. Box 1714, Kenai, AK 99611.
MOTION:
Commissioner Halstead MOVED to recommend approval of the SOAR lease application and
Commissioner Springer SECONDED the motion.
City Planner Appleby reviewed the staff report provided in the packet noting this was a re-
application after SOAR did not take development action on its former application as required and
an extension on the timeline for the necessary development was not granted. She added that the
proposed development was to construct a 120 -foot x 180 -foot hangar with associated office facility
and tie -down space for flight training and aircraft part sales.
Clarification was provided that a Site Plan and Building Permit would be required prior to a certain
percentage of tree removal or construction.
VOTE:
YEA: Springer, Fikes, Twait, Halstead
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
I. PENDING ITEMS — None.
J. REPORTS
1. City Council — Council Member Molloy reviewed the action agenda from the August 7
City Council meeting.
2. Borough Planning — Vice -Chair Fikes reported action from the August 12 Borough
Planning and Platting Committee meetings.
3. Administration — City Planner Appleby reported on the following:
• Upcoming meetings; and
• Attended a Kenai Peninsula Borough Alaska LNG Project Advisory Committee
meeting.
K. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT — None.
L. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS — None.
M. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION —August 28, 2019
N. COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS — None.
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O. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Minutes prepared and submitted by:
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