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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-28 Planning & Zoning MinutesKENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MAY 28, 2025 — 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611 VICE CHAIR EARSLEY, PRESIDING MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Kenai Planning & Zoning Commission was held on May 28, 2025, in City Hall Council Chambers, Kenai, AK. Vice Chair Earsley called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. 1. Pledge of Allegiance Vice Chair Earsley led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Roll Call There were present: Sonja Earsley, Vice chair Glenese Pettey Stacie Krause A quorum was present. Absent: Jeff Twait, Chair Also in attendance were: Kevin Buettner, Planning Director Victoria Askin, City Council Liaison Michelle Saner, City Clerk Jeanne Reveal Gwen Woodard Diane Fikes 3. Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Vice Chair Earsley noted the following addition to the Packet: Add to Item F. 1. Public Hearing - Resolution PZ2025-18 Public Comment MOTION: Commissioner Woodard MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda with the requested revisions. Commissioner Fikes SECONDED the motion. The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record. Vice -Chair Earsley 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 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. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 1 of 4 May 28, 2025 B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES *Regular Meeting of May 14, 2025 Approved by the consent agenda. C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. E. CONSIDERATION OF PLATS Resolution No. PZ2025-20 - Recommending Approval of Preliminary Plat — Ward Estates Addition No. 2, a for a subdivision of Government Lot 16 and SE1/4 SW1/4 NE1/4 SE1/4 & SE1/4 NE1/4 SE1/4, Section 26, Township 6 North, Range 12 West, Seward Meridian to the Kenai Peninsula Borough, in the Rural Residential (RR) Zoning District. MOTION: Commissioner Woodard MOVED to approve Resolution PZ2025-20. Commissioner Fikes SECONDED the motion. Planning Director Buettner read into the record the staff report as included in the packet and attached to Resolution No. PZ2025-20; concluding that staff recommends approval of the preliminary plat for Wellsway Estates with conditions. There was discussion regarding Wells Way currently being an unmaintained, undeveloped right-of-way; it functions as a driveway to existing residence, only serving two residences; no immediate road upgrades are required; future development may trigger the need for road improvements; and questions related to the responsible party for snow removal and signage. VOTE: YEA: Pettey, Fikes, Earsley, Krause, Woodard, Reveal NAY: None ABSENT: Twait MOTION PASSED WITHOUT OBJECTION. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolution No. PZ2025-18 - Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to Operate a Retail Marijuana Store on the Property Described as Cole Homestead Subdivision Tract A Located at 7825 Kenai Spur Hwy, in the General Commercial Zoning District. MOTION: Commissioner Woodard MOVED to approve Resolution PZ2025-18. Commissioner Fikes SECONDED the motion. Planning Director Buettner read into the record the staff report as included in the packet and attached to Resolution No. PZ2025-18; concluding that staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit. Vice Chair Earsley opened the floor for public hearing. Michael Welch, applicant stated he purchased the building and made renovations, and noted he has owned and operated another retail store on K-Beach Road since 2020. The applicant provided clarification that the K-Beach establishment is a marijuana establishment; this property before the Commission was originally purchased with the intent of a growing operation; since growing is not allowed on a parcel so small, plans changed to a retail store; and he clarified that there would be no cultivation whatsoever on at this location. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 2 of 4 May 28, 2025 Staff provided clarification the largest buffer distance requirements were related to schools; there was not a buffer distance required between specific types of marijuana establishments; and the City did not establish a maximum number of marijuana establishments allowed within the City. Reed Knackstedt, Kenai resident addressed the Commission in opposition to retail marijuana stores and marijuana cultivation, noting concerns with the proximity of this store to his home and the school; felt the City and Borough should have more regulations on the matter; and he would rather not see this approved. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed. At the request of the Commission the applicant clarified that hours of operation are intended to be 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. during the winter and spring; summer hours would be 8:00 a.m. to Midnight. VOTE: YEA: Fikes, Earsley, Krause, Pettey NAY: Woodard, Reveal ABSENT: Twait MOTION PASSED. Vice Chair Earsley noted the 15-day appeal period. G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Discussion - Aspen Creek, 701 N. Forest Drive CUP Planning Director Buettner provided an update noting the traffic count was not yet complete; the plan is to conduct at least three spot traffic counts; each count will last about an hour; landscape contractors were on -site finalizing work; internal construction is reportedly complete; and a more detailed report will be provided at the next meeting. H. NEW BUSINESS 1. *Action/Approval - Requesting Excused Absences for the May 14, 2025 Regular Meeting — Pettey Approved by the consent agenda. I. REPORTS 1. Planning Director - Planning Director Buettner reported on the following: • Preliminary work on a high-level existing condition report on transportation in Kenai is underway. • Hazard Mitigation Plan is on hold due to changes in FEMA requirements and lack of available funding. 2. Commission Chair - No report. 3. Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning - No report. 4. City Council Liaison —Council Member Askin reported on recent actions of the City Council. J. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT— None. K. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION 1. Next Meeting: The June 11, 2025 meeting was cancelled, next meeting was scheduled for June 25,2025. L. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 3 of 4 May 28, 2025 General appreciation was stated for the thoroughness of staff. M. PENDING ITEMS - None. N. ADJOURNMENT O. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None. There being no further business before the Planning & Zoning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting of May n 25. is ell e ne , MMC, City Clerk Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 4 of 4 May 28, 2025