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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-06-01 SummaryMINUTES KENAI PLANNING ~ ZONING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 1 , 19 71 AL HUDSON - VICE CHAIRMAN ROLL CALL: PRESENT - Ruby Coyle, Al Cruver, Jim. Elson, Loretta Knackstedt and Vice Chairman Al Hudson. ALSO PRESENT - Red Jaynes, Mayor Steinbeck and Robert Bielefeld. GUESTS - Don Beitinger and Glenn Huff ABSENT - James E. Fisher and Nick Poppin. The first item on the agenda was the discussion of the Kenai- Soldotna road project No. F-021-2(12). Mr. Don Beitinger, the right-of-way agent for the State of Alaska, Department of High- ways explained that the Kenai-Soldotna road project basically would be constructed within the existing right-of-way. As nearly as they are able to determine at this time, there will possibly be five effected pieces of property acquiring relocation. This would consist of not over two small homes and some trailers all easy to relocate. Mr. Beitinger stated that the right-of-way department feels this is a simple job, that the major problems are where to put intersections. The Highway Department has de- signed these intersections at what they consider to be all major cross streets and would like Planning Commission ip~fput as to whether these intersections are properly located or not. Mr. Beitinger also stated that this project will not be a closed or limited access right-of-way and no fencing will be installed along the roadway. All existing facilities along the roadway will have ingress and egress to the highway. It would appear at this time from their studies that there will be only one business effect by the right-of-way. This would be in the area of the old Tom-Tom Restaurant. Mr. Glenn Huff spoke next. He stated that it was his hope that the new road would not become a strip commercial area as this creates traffi~problems as businesses build up along the route, Mr. Huff state that the road construction would start at the Beaver Loop Road, West entrance and continue to the West end of the Soldotna urban section. MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, KENAI PLANNING ~ ZONING COMMISSION Page two The road will consist of two full-width roads with a 36' median between them. Construction methods would in most cases build a road on either side of the existing road so as to maintain traffic and when completed the existing road would be made into a median between the two roads. Mr. Huff stated that the starting date was scheduled for 1974 and the design volumn on the road is 1800 cars per by 1990. The purpose of the road would be to provide a transportation link bet- ween Kenai and Soldotna for the movement of people to and from these communities and for all areas between. Mr. Huff stated that there had been some talk that all we need at this time is a two lane highway, the idea being to build two now and two later. The highway department does not feel this is a good idea and would rather do the job properly the first time. Mr. Huff stated that the Kenai Peninsula is a young area and that most all of the development is along the major roads and that his department feels. that to design a limited access transportation corridor between the two communities at this time would be a mistake and that while some people would use this route the majority would continue to use the existing route. Other reasons for their objection would be the Highway department would on the selection of an alternate route between the two communities be required to turn the existing road over to the Borough or the communities whichever the case may be with no improvements whatsoever. At this time the meeting went into a question and answer period. Questions answered were as follows: Is it possible for the highway department to extend the sidewalk to be constructed as part of the urban section as far out as the high school? Mr. Huff stated that because of the high speed nature of this type highway and the obviously better located route for foot traffic along Lawton Drive, that the highway department would not consider a sidewalk as part of this project. When asked whether this or the Kenai River Bridge route would be designated a truck route, Mr. Huff answered that they did not feel the need was there at this time to designate a truck route. MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, KENAI PLANNING ~ ZONING COMMISSION Page three When questioned about the possiblity of snow machine use or bicycle or walking trails along side the existing highway, Mr. Beitinger stated that the highway department is not funded for this type of construction and although they have no specific objections to the use of the ditch and shoulder areas for this use they could not participate in the construction of such facilities. A question if signs showing the historical sites in the area had been included in the project, Mr. Huff stated that he did not think they had been included on the present urban section and that if the people of Kenai felt these should be included that a request should be sent to the highway department, Mr. Beitinger asked those present what they though of large signs showing distances to communities, places of business, historical sites, and so forth on road side turnouts he suggested that any idea that people of the community might have would be welcomed by the highway department. Mr. Beitinger also stated that the highway department could see a need to provide more than just a highway for the people, that the highway department was trying to build highways that would be a place to be enjoyed rather than just traveled on. Any correspondence on this matter should go to the District Engineer or the Commissioner of Highways. When asked whether the highway department would consider an access road to State property along the Kenai River, Mr. Huff referred the Commission to the State Parks and Recreations Department, as this was more in the realm of their activity than in the highway depart- ments. Mr. Glotfelty asked whether the City's Industrial Water Line could be built in conjunction with the road construction using the same right-of-way. Mr. Huff stated that if both jobs were built by one contractor he felt the City would save considerable monies. Mr. Huff also stated that the bids could be coordinated but that the City would be committed to the construction as some point prior to the opening of the bids. Mr. Huff stated that there will be a corridor and design public hearing on June 16 in the Junior High School. He also stated that they did not have a field design as yet, but were working on an aerial photography mapping of the route so as to gain time in the con- struction schedule. He continued to say that if enough time could be saved in the design department that possibly right-of-way could be certified earlier and the road construction ready for bid letting sometime in 1973, He went on to say that present plans call for a 1974 start for this construction. MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, KENAI PLANNING ~ ZONING COMMISSION Page four There were several questions about additional median strips and access to the proposed route and it was agreed that the matter would be studied at the next regular Planning ~ Zoning Commission. The placing of additional or the relocating existing cross-over areas would be the prime part of the business. When questioned about the Kenai River Bridge crossing, Mr. Huff stated that there will be a barge in the Kenai River this summer for drilling on the Kenai River bridge location. The imp act statement should be ready by this coming Friday and submitted to Juneau for construction on Line B. Further questioning brought out that the-fact that the urban section is waiting for wrap-up and a July bid opening, Both of these project, the Kenai Urban and the Kenai River Bridge are on schedule. The next item of business was a land lease by the Kenai Elks Club. They are requesting a lease on lots 1 and 2, Block 3, Fidalgo S/D. These lots are located directly to the East or behind the Post Office building. Lease rate is $.02 per square .foot and works out to be slightly over $900 per year. They propose that in payment of this fee they be allowed to construct a playground park facility on adjacent park land to the South in the area of the Constellation aircraft. Map of the proposed area was shown to the Commission and a motion by Coyle, seconded by Knackstedt that the Planning Commission is in favor of the concept of the location of the Elks Club as presented by the Kenai City Manager and Red Jaynes. The vote was unanimous. MEETING ADJOURNED