HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-10 Planning & Zoning MinutesKENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION —
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 10, 2022 — 7:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611
CHAIR JEFF TWAIT, PRESIDING
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Kenai Planning & Zoning Commission was held on August 10, 2022, in City
Hall Council Chambers, Kenai, AK. Chair Twait called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Twait led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call
There were present:
Commissioners present: J. Twait, G. Woodard, D. Fikes, V. Askin, G. Greenberg, J. Halstead
Commissioners absent: A. Douthit
Staff/Council Liaison present: Interim Planning Director M. Best, Interim Administrative Assistant
W. Anderson, Vice Mayor J. Glendening, Deputy Clerk M.
Thibodeau
A quorum was present.
3. Agenda Approval
Chair Twait noted the following revisions to the agenda and packet:
ACTION ITEM
Add to item H.1 Recommending Ordinance 3298-2022
Enacting Floodplain Management
• Memorandum to Commission
MOTION:
Commissioner Askin MOVED to approve the agenda as revised. Commissioner Halstead SECONDED
the motion. There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
4. Consent Agenda
MOTION:
Commissioner Halstead MOVED to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Woodard SECONDED
the motion. There being no objection; 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.
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5. *Excused Absences — None.
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. *Regular Meeting of July 27, 2022
Approved by the consent agenda.
C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS — None.
D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS — None.
E. CONSIDERATION OF PLATS — None.
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Resolution PZ2022-21 — Application for a Conditional Use Permit for an Elementary
through High School in the Suburban Residential zone, on Tract A, Kenai Fellowship
Church, located at 8333 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai, Alaska 99611. The application was
submitted by Kenai Fellowship, a Church of Christ, P.O. Box 538, Kenai, AK 99611
MOTION:
Commissioner Halstead MOVED to adopt Resolution No. PZ2022-21. Commissioner Askin SECONDED
the motion.
Director Best presented his staff report with information provided in the packet explaining that the applicant
wishes to obtain a conditional use permit (CUP) for an elementary through high school. It was noted the
application met KMC criteria for CUPs and City staff recommends approval subject to the following
conditions:
1. Further development of the property shall conform to all federal, State of Alaska, and local
regulations.
2. A fire inspection must be performed biennially by the City of Kenai Fire Marshal. The applicant
must comply with any recommendations made by the Fire Marshal.
3. The Permittee must adhere to the maximum occupancy of the 49 occupants, including staff and
students, in the elementary through high school area (basement).
4. The permittee must comply with the parking requirement for the premises as set forth KMC
14.20.250.
5. In the event that the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) requires upgrades to the
exiting septic system, the applicant will upgrade the septic system.
6. Prior to issuance of the Conditional Use Permit, Permittee must install a water meter on the
premises.
7. A yearly Conditional Use Permit report must be submitted to the City of Kenai prior to the 31st
day of December of each year.
8. The applicant will meet with City staff for on-site inspections when requested.
9. If there is a change of use for the above described property a new Conditional Use Permit must
be obtained, pursuant to 14.20.150(i)(5).
10. Pursuant to KMC 14.20.150(i)(2), this permit shall expire automatically upon termination or
interruption of the use for a period of at least one year.
Applicant Rick Baldwin noted that the CUP would allow Kenai Classical to have their school in this building,
and that one of the teachers was also available to answer any questions.
Chair Twait opened for public hearing.
Bill Smith stated that he had no objection to the school but noted that he shared a property line. He asked
about how big of a facility would be built, and if they would be clearcutting tract A; he noted that if there
was going to be, he would like to see a greenbelt buffer between their properties.
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Rick Baldwin clarified that they do not intend to have any construction nor clearcutting outside the premises,
and the school would be held in the basement.
Bill Smith asked about whether the access could be off the highway or if the unnamed driveway on the
property would be used; Rick Baldwin clarified that the unnamed driveway would be kept closed.
There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Clarification was provided that there is plenty of parking space to meet the requirements for school and
auditorium use. It was noted that if the school intended to expand the facility it would require a modification
of their CUP, and they would have to reapply through the Planning Department.
VOTE:
YEA: Askin, Woodard, Fikes, Greenberg, Halstead, Twait
NAY: None.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chair Twait noted the fifteen -day appeal period.
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS— None.
H. NEW BUSINESS
Action/Approval — Recommending the Kenai City Council Enact Ordinance No. 3298-2022
Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 14.30 - Floodplain Management, within Title 14 - Planning
and Zoning, to Regulate Land Use within the Flood Plain and Authorizing the City to
Participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.
MOTION:
Commissioner Askin MOVED to recommend the Kenai City Council enact Substitute Ordinance No. 3298-
2022. Commissioner Fikes SECONDED the motion.
Director Best noted that he had included a link to the current Kenai Peninsula Borough FEMA Risk Map
Project in the laydown, and that it was an improvement from the previous mapping system. He explained
that the main zones for the Commission to consider in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
mapping are the AE zone, X zone and the floodway because those are located in City limits. The objectives
of the program were reviewed, and it was noted it is a method to establish development; that one of the
requirements is that development needs to stay out of the floodway; and that in other zones you may be
able to build with a permit, but only in a way that doesn't affect the floodway. Best explained some of the
benefits of the program to the City and residents living in flood zone areas, and how there will be a new
development permitting process in the City which will likely come through the Building Inspector before
being evaluated by the Planning Department.
Director Best demonstrated the 2022 digital flood insurance rate maps and reviewed the different flood
plain zones in the City.
It was noted that the Commission had previously dealt with issues regarding construction in flood plain
zones, and it would have been beneficial to have this process place at that time.
VOTE:
YEA: Fikes, Greenberg, Halstead, Twait, Askin, Woodard
NAY: None.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
I. PENDING ITEMS — None.
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J. REPORTS
City Council — Vice Mayor Glendening reported on the actions of the August 3, 2022 City
Council Meeting.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning — Commissioner Fikes reported on the actions of the
August 8, 2022 Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Meeting.
3. City Administration — Planning Director Best reported on the following:
• He performed a site inspection on the property of the CUP transferred at the last
meeting; reported that there were no farm animals, and was in conformance with the
CUP;
• He does not yet know the new owner of the bowling alley property;
• Thanked Willie Anderson for coming out of retirement and serving as interim Planning
Assistant; expressed appreciation for her institutional knowledge and all the hard work
she does for City.
K. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS — None.
L. INFORMATION ITEMS — None.
M. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION
1. August 24, 2022
N. COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
Commission Greenberg noted that the old NFIP mapping was not as accurate; the new mapping was an
improvement because it is easier to use, and does not put a burden on as many people in the flood plain
zones.
Vice Mayor Glendening thanked Director Best for the mapping demonstration, noting that it answered many
of his questions.
O. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Minutes prepared and submitted by:
Meghan Thibodeau
Deputy City Clerk
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