HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-23 Planning & Zoning MinutesKENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 23, 2023 — 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 23, 2023, 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:
Jeff Twait, Chair Joe Halstead, Vice Chair
Gary Greenberg Jim Glendening
John Coston Gwen Woodard
A quorum was present.
Absent:
Diane Fikes
Also in attendance were:
Linda Mitchell, Planning Director
James Baisden, City Council Liaison
Meghan Thibodeau, Deputy City Clerk
3. Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Chair Twait noted the following additions to the Packet:
ACTION ITEM
Add to Item H.1 Discussion/Action - AMCO Adopted Marijuana Regulation Changes
• Recommendation Memo
MOTION:
Commissioner Woodard MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda with the requested
additions. Commissioner Coston SECONDED the motion.
The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record.
Chair Twait opened the floor for public comment on consent agenda items; there being no one wishing
to be heard, the public comment period was closed.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
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
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August 23, 2023
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.
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. *Regular Meeting of July 26, 2023
Approved by the consent agenda.
C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
E. CONSIDERATION OF PLATS
1. Resolution PZ2023-16 — Recommending Approval for Preliminary Plat — Strawberry Hill
Estates 2023 Addition for a Subdivision of a Parcel Located at 801 Devray Street (KPB
Parcel No. 04951027) into 13 Lots and Deny the Requested Exceptions to the Subdivision
Design Standards in the Rural Residential (RR) Zoning District.
MOTION:
Vice Chair Halstead MOVED to approve Resolution PZ2023-16. Commissioner Greenberg SECONDED
the motion.
Planning Director Mitchell presented her staff report with information provided in the packet, and it was
noted that the applicant is requesting two exceptions to the standards. Zoning and uses of surrounding
lots were reviewed; staff recommended approval subject to the following conditions:
1. Recommend Kenai City Council to deny the requested exceptions to exceed the maximum block
length of 1,400 linear feet and waive the rights -of -way dedication of Devray Street.
2. Recommend Kenai City Council to approve the exceptions from connecting to City water and
sewer systems.
3. Revised Note 4 on the Preliminary Plat to "DEVELOPMENT MUST MEET THE CITY OF KENAI
CHAPTER 14.20 ZONING CODE REQUIREMENTS".
Chair Twait opened the floor for public comment.
Applicant David Bunts explained the requested exceptions and responded to questions from the
Commission.
There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed.
MOTION TO AMEND:
Vice Chair Halstead MOVED to amend the Resolution by changing the number to PZ2023-15.
Commissioner Woodard SECONDED the motion.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion to amend.
There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
MOTION TO AMEND:
Vice Chair Halstead MOVED to amend the Resolution PZ2023-15 by adding the following condition:
4. Recommend Kenai City Council to approve the exception from the road improvement construction
of Devray Street and requiring the subdivider include a covenant on the recorded plat that if an
improvement district is formed, the real property involved will be a part of the improvement district
without further action by the then owner of the property in question.
Commissioner Greenberg SECONDED the motion.
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August 23, 2023
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VOTE ON AMENDMENT:
YEA: Coston, Greenberg, Halstead, Twait, Glendening, Woodard
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fikes
MOTION PASSED WITHOUT OBJECTION.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED:
YEA: Glendening, Halstead, Woodard, Greenberg, Coston, Twait
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fikes
MOTION PASSED WITHOUT OBJECTION.
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None.
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None.
H. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion/Action — Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) Adopted Marijuana
Regulation Changes
Planning Director Mitchell presented a brief summary of the information provided in the packet.
Ryan Tunseth, owner of East Rip and President of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association, provided
information about the State regulations and responded to questions from the Commission.
MOTION:
Commissioner Glendening MOVED to recommend that the City Council place a moratorium on allowing
marijuana establishments to continue offering exterior walk-up and drive through window pick-up
services, and that they refer the issue back to the Planning & Zoning Commission for further
consideration. Vice Chair Halstead SECONDED the motion.
VOTE:
YEA: Greenberg, Glendening, Halstead, Twait, Woodard, Coston
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fikes
MOTION PASSED WITHOUT OBJECTION.
I. REPORTS
1. City Council — Vice Mayor Baisden reported on the actions of the August 16, 2023 City
Council meeting.
2. Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning — No report.
3. City Administration — Planning Director Mitchell reported on the following:
• Max Best has been hired as a temporary planner to assist with the waterfront revitalization
project rezoning; Mitchell explained next steps on the project including the public process
and development of hybrid zoning design standards.
• New administrative assistant started today; recruitment for 2"d part-time assistant is
ongoing.
• A conditional use permit for the Aspen Creek facility development that was previously
approved by the Commission has been delayed due to a condition of the permit; the
applicant will submit a CUP amendment request to modify a condition to reduce the width
of the right-of-way easement.
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• There has been an increase in code violation complaints.
J. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT — None.
K. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION
1. Next Meeting: September 13, 2023
L. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Commissioner Glendening inquired why a local business was denied a storefront improvement grant.
Vice Chair Halstead noted the good discussions, and thanked the Commission for asking the right
questions.
M. PENDING ITEMS — None.
N. ADJOURNMENT
O. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS — None.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting of August
23, 2023.
Meghan Thibo aru
Deputy City Clerk
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