HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 3366-2023KENAI
CITY OF KENAI
ORDINANCE NO. 3366-2023
Sponsored by: Knackstedt
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GENERAL
FUND — PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO COMPLETE REZONING OF THE KENAI WATERFRONT
AREA AS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2022 KENAI WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION ASSESSMENT.
WHEREAS, in 2022 the City contracted with McKinley Research Group to complete the Kenai Waterfront
Revitalization Assessment, a project to identify redevelopment strategies to maximize the potential of the
waterfront study area, consider existing and potential land use and zoning, and determine the
community's vision for the area; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Waterfront area is approximately 160-acres adjacent to Bridge Access Road south
of Millennium Square and east of the Kenai Senior Center, including the Kenai City Dock; and,
WHEREAS, the community's vision for the area was summarized in the following points:
1. The public desires and supports new development but not at the expense of impacting the existing
uses, primarily the seafood plants, and the ability to access the Kenai River and its many
resources.
2. The public wants revitalization to be authentic, protective of the river and natural environment, be
accessible year-round, and provide economic opportunities.
3. There is a need to protect and celebrate the area's history, culture, and outstanding views of the
river, surrounding landscape, wildlife, and volcanoes.
4. The phrase, "Build it for the locals, and the visitors will love it" is important in meeting these criteria;
and,
WHEREAS, community ideas for land uses in the area included:
1. Consensus on mixed land uses.
2. Low impact uses, such as recreation and water dependent uses, should be given priority.
3. Create a destination facility or "anchor tenant" such as a convention center, lodge, hotel, or other
facility that meets local needs and draws visitors.
4. Support new businesses, such as restaurants, breweries, tackle shops, tour operators, and
general commercial and retail.
5. Supports boardwalks, park and open space, campgrounds and recreation, as well as expands
and improves river access and the needed support facilities.
6. Integrate existing seafood plants into the overall revitalization effort to meet the community's
desire to represent an authentic working waterfront; and,
WHEREAS, property in the Waterfront area is currently zoned Heavy Industrial, which is not consistent
with the community's vision for a "Working Waterfront" area; and,
WHEREAS, rezoning the area will help to guide development in the area in a manner that is consistent
with the community's vision and proposed land uses; and,
WHEREAS, since completion of the assessment, development has increased in the area with the
expansion of a camping facility, construction of a new camping facility, and groundbreaking for a new
brewery, consistent with the community's vision; and,
New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
Ordinance No. 3366-2023
Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, in order to ensure future development is consistent, rezoning is a priority; and,
WHEREAS, due to staffing shortages in the Planning Department and the summer construction season,
additional staffing is necessary to move forward with a project to rezone the waterfront area in a timely
manner; and,
WHEREAS, a temporary project employee will provide sufficient staffing to complete the project before
the end of 2023 in preparation for future development in the 2024 construction season and beyond; and,
WHEREAS, continuation of redevelopment strategies to maximize the potential of the Kenai waterfront
area consistent with the community's vision is in the best interest of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That estimated revenues and appropriations are increased as follows:
General Fund:
Increase estimated revenues -
Appropriation of Fund Balance $1
Increase/Decrease expenditures — Planning
Salaries $13,450
Medicare 200
Unemployment Insurance 70
Workers Compensation 30
$1 7
Section 2. Severability: That if any part or provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any
person or circumstances is adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall
be confined in its operation to the part, provision, or application directly involved in all controversy in
which this judgment shall have been rendered, and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder
of this title or application thereof to other persons or circumstances. The City Council hereby declares
that it would have enacted the remainder of this ordinance even without such part, provision, or
application.
Section 3. Effective Date: That pursuant to KMC 1.15.070(f), this ordinance shall take effect
immediately upon enactment.
ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, THIS 16T" DAY OF AUGUST, 2023.
ATTEST:
Michelle . Sa r, 1VIC, City Clerk
Approved by Finance:
C
Omes Baisden, Vice Mayor
Introduced
Enacted:
Effective:
August 2, 2023
August 16, 2023
August 16, 2023
New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
K LW
City of Kenai 1210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.75351 www.kenai.city
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Gabriel and Council Members
FROM: Henry Knackstedt, Council Member
DATE: July 21, 2023
SUBJECT: Ordinance 3366-2023 Waterfront Revitalization Property Rezone
Supplemental Funding.
In 2022 the City contracted with McKinley Research Group to complete the Kenai Waterfront
Revitalization Assessment, a project to identify redevelopment strategies to maximize the
potential of the waterfront study area, consider existing and potential land use and zoning, and
facilitate work sessions to determine the community's vision for the area. The Kenai Waterfront
area is approximately 160 acres adjacent to Bridge Access Road south of Millennium Square,
east of the Kenai Senior Center, and including the Kenai City Dock. A copy of the assessment's
final report is available at:
https://www.kenai.city/sites/default/files/fiileattachments/city manager/page/14191/mckinley res
earch group kenai waterfront revitalization final report 8.23.2022.pdf.
The process included community meetings and discussions about goals and developing the vision
for revitalizing the area. The community's vision for the area was summarized in the Kenai
Waterfront Revitalization Assessment in the following points:
1. The public desires and supports new development but not at the expense of impacting the
existing uses, primarily the seafood plants, and the ability to access the Kenai River and
its many resources.
2. The public wants revitalization to be authentic, protective of the river and natural
environment, be accessible year-round, and provide economic opportunities.
3. There is a need to protect and celebrate the area's history, culture, and outstanding views
of the river, surrounding landscape, wildlife, and volcanoes.
4. The phrase, "Build it for the locals, and the visitors will love it" is important in meeting these
criteria.
Community ideas for future land uses in the area included:
1. Consensus on mixed land uses
2. Limit development to low impact uses, such as recreation and water dependent uses,
should be given priority
3. Create a destination facility or "anchor tenant" such as a convention center, lodge, hotel,
or other facility that meets local needs and draws visitors
4. Support new businesses, such as restaurants, breweries, tackle shops, tour operators,
and general commercial and retail
5. Supports boardwalks, park and open space, campgrounds and recreation, as well as
expands and improves river access and the needed support facilities
6. Integrate existing seafood plants into the overall revitalization effort to meet the
community's desire to represent an authentic working waterfront
The summer of 2023 has seen renewed interest in the area with the expansion of camping at the
Port of Kenai Facility, construction of a new camping facility, and groundbreaking on the City's
first brewery. Each of these uses is consistent with the community's vision and proposed land
uses. However, to ensure future development remains consistent, rezoning of the area is needed
and appropriate.
Ordinance 3366-2023 will provide sufficient funding to employ a temporary planner to assist with
the rezoning process. Staffing shortages in the Planning Department have hindered its ability to
move forward with a project to rezone the waterfront area. Completion of the rezone project in
2023 will ensure future development in the 2024 construction season and beyond are consistent
with the community's vision and proposed land uses.
Your support for Ordinance 3366-2023 is respectfully requested.
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JII-V
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The City of Kenai I www.kenai.city
'.."OX Waterfront Zoning District
KENAI (Hybrid Form -Based Code Zoning and
The Beat Puce To ALASKA Comprehensive Plan Amendment)
Project Approach/Methodology
Below is an overview of the anticipated approach and methodology to achieving a successful
waterfront zoning district.
Task 1 — Background Assessment
Task 1-A: Review existing conditions. Consult with the City, visit the targeted area identified in
the Kenai Waterfront Revitalization Assessment to document any changes of existing conditions
identified in the plan, and reassess the overall condition of key components. These components
will include the following categories.
• ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT
• Natural environment & ecological system
• Energy efficiency
• Water management
• Storm water management
• Waste management
• Green neighborhood
• Brownfield redevelopment
• SOCIAL IMPACT
• Site development
• Transit oriented development
• Public accessibility
• Provision of basic amenities
• Strong expression of culture & heritage
• ECONOMIC IMPACT
• Development of river based activities
• Increase in real estate values
• Development of existing economic activities on site
• Improvement in tourist activities
Task 1-113: Maintain regular meetings. An initial meeting will confirm goals and objectives of
assignment and to set a schedule of weekly or bi-weekly meetings.
Task 2 - Inclusive Public Engagement
Task 2-A: Assist with the design of outreach materials to attract diverse individuals for
public engagement. Assist the City with developing a series of outreach materials that will
effectively communicate the project's purpose and engage and encourage public participation in
the process.
Task 2-13: Identify stakeholders for public engagement. The City recognizes the important role
that community stakeholders play in the ongoing development of the community. Work with City's
staff to identify key stakeholders and will engage these entities to participate in and contribute to
the process.
Task 2-C: Determine best possible community engagement techniques to ensure equitable
input. Develop and employ techniques that illicit input from the Kenai businesses, property
owners, residents, and visitors.
Task 2-D: Assist with facilitating information gathering; community meetings. Assist with
information gathering and in organizing and facilitating meetings. Assist city staff with the process
of data collection, both current and archival.
Task 2-E: Compile the results of the community outreach work effort into the final plan
report. The final plan will, in part, incorporate information gathered during community outreach,
research and interviews.
Task 3- Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan Update and Drafts
Task 3-A: Draft Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan Amendments. Present proposed
zoning and comprehensive plan amendments to the City officials and residents. Resubmit the
DRAFT amendments showing any comments and feedback from the public meetings.
Task 3-B: Review by Planning & Zoning Commission, City Council and Final Zoning Code
and Comprehensive Plan Amendments. In partnership with city staff, present draft Zoning Code
and Comprehensive Plan amendments to the Planning Commission, and then to the City Council
for discussion.
Task 4 - Additional Tasks
In addition to the three (3) major tasks previously outlined, the following additional tasks may be
needed:
Task 6-A: Provide research and analysis as requested by the City.
Task 6-13: Attend public meetings as needed.
Task 6-C: Provide any other services as required to properly assist in administering the
adoption of the zoning code and comprehensive plan amendments for the targeted area of
the waterfront redevelopment.
Project Schedule
Below is a tentative project milestone chart.
Planning & Zoning Commission Open House September 12, 2023
Planning & Zoning Commission Work Session September 27, 2023
Planning & Zoning Commission Public September 27, 2023
Hearing
City Council — New Business (Introduction) September 4, 2023
City Council — Public Hearing October 19, 2023
Ordinance Enactment November 19, 2023
.c
Borough Planning & Zoning Commission
TBD
Borough Assembly