Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-10-17 P&Z/Comprehensive Plan MinutesKENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PUBLIC HEARING Joint Meeting of Council and Planning and Zoning October 17, 1979 KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ~ PUBLIC HEARING Joint Meeting of Council and Planning and Zoning Kenai Armory, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 17, 1979 Present: Mayor O'Reilly Councilman Malston Councilwoman Glick Phil Bryson, Presiding Chairman P & Karen Mahurin, P ~ Z Sol Raymond, P ~ Z Jim Hendricks, Borough Planner Bob Thorpe, Comprehensive Plan Len Zickler, Comprehensive Plan Ernest Schlereth, City Attorney Charles Brown, Acting City Manager C~~h e rs were. pre.se~n+ bc1~ z no-k- spea.K CI. t~ Ruby and Waldo Coyle Bi11 Quandt Alex Sb.adura Russian Orthodox Archpriest Macarius Targonsky Leo T. Oberts Mayor Vincent O'Reilly opened the public hearing concerning the draft of the Kenai Comprehensive Plan and asked Phil Bryson, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission to introduce the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Bryson stated that the Comprehensive Plan had been started earlier this year and was presently in the final draft stage. This is the first public hearing on the draft and the Planning and Zoning Commission will discuss the comments received at tonight`s meeting at the Planning meeting next week on October 24. He requested everyone to speak from the podium and to write their name and address on the list. before they speak. Mr. Bryson suggested that each '.:initial presentation should be limited to five minutes. Waldo Coyle objected strongly to being limited to only five minutes as what he had to say could not possibly be limited to that time. Mayor O'Reilly stated that if people needed additional time then they certainly could have it. Mr. Bi11 Quandt stated that the oil production is going down and the fishing industry is coming up in the summer and why do we need a Comprehensive Plan? Mr. Bryson asked Mr. Quandt to make his comments at the podium during the time allotted to him. He stated that if comments are requested to be answered by the Commission then they could be asked at that time. Individuals may speak a second time after their initial five-minute presentation. He then introduced Jim Hendricks, Borough Planner., Public Hearing Kenai Comprehensive Plan October 17, 1979 ~~ Page 2 Mr. Hendricks gave a brief perspective on how the Comprehensive Plan has evolved to this point tonight. He explained that the Plan is a result of a Coastal Energy Impact .grant and a matching of funds from the Kenai Peninsula Borough for a total of $.72,500. He commented onthe oil related growth in the future and what it might mean to the growth of Kenai served as a starting point for the Plan. The existing Kenai plan was adopted in 1974 and was a 1969 - 1970 Plan. This means the curxent plan is nine years old and there is a need for an update. The new Comprehensive Plan addresses the economy, land use, facilities, transportation, Wetlands, Capital Improvements, and zoning to name a few of the points. It is the result of nine months work. This document will serve: as a guide for other problems and future development of the City. We are at the point of bringing it all together. After tonight`s comments are heard, then it will go to the Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission for their comments and recommendation to the City Council. It will then be recommended to the Borough for their. comments. Ruby Coyle questioned at this point whether the Council and Planning Commission were in session. Phil Bryson stated that neither Council or the Commission were in session. Mrs. Coyle stated that this was a public hearing and that we have two bodies sitting and witnessing the testimonies.. She wants to have clearance from the attorney as to ,the right to have the meeting since neither body has a quorum present. City Attorney Schlereth stated that neither body would be taking any action tonight. The purpose of the meeting is to allow the public to speak on the Plan but neither body would be taking any action. Bob Thorpe was introduced at this point and he gave a brief outline of what the Comprehensive Plan included. He stated that the Plan was the result of the efforts of his firm and other associates. There are three documents of the Plan - Technical, Draft Plan, and the Summary Report. The Plan gives a~history of Kenai, the economic base, employment and housing needs. It looks at Community facilities and what the City needs in the future.' The circulation pattern of the City and the population growth are addressed. Wetlands are discussed and work was done to improve the standards and data base. They looked at public services and the relationship between inside and outside the City services. They have introduced a new concept of neighborhood business zoning and improved the definition of central business zone and industrial around the Airport. They recommend that the Conservation Zone be changed to public lands which have high development value around the Airport. These lands could be used in a trade off for Wetlands so that the City could promote business and perserve the Wetlands. Public Hearing Comprehensive Plan October 17, 1979 Page 3 Mr. Thorpe further stated that the City needs a person with a background in planning to deal with the City lands and to get the best use out of the property. He pointed out that there is an error in the present plan on Page 27. The Intersection of Beaver Loop and the Spur should not be marked Conservation and the wall map clarifies this. Mr. Thorpe stated that as a result of the Plan maps on soils and topography_will be available for realators and developers and should be a great help. Len Zickler, also with Thorpe and Associates, spoke on Community Facilities,, what is available in the City and what the City will need in the future. The Plan advocates the site for the new City Hall bo be between the Public Safety Building and the State Court House. He listed .some of the reasons for this choice and the need to develop a core of public buildings close to the business district and the Airport. He spoke of the need for a volunteer fire station off Beaver Loop and proposed the need for future schools in the North Kenai area. The Attitude Survey indicated a need for more parks in the City both neighborhood and community. He then addressed the street improvement plans and the traffic problem on the Kenai Spur Highway. Their recommendations include signalization along the Spur Highway. Mr. Thorpe pointed out that the Plan can be a positive thing or can be negative. It should provide standards, a framework, and direction. Phil Bryson opened the meeting to public comment at 8:20 p.m. Father Targorisky of the Russian Orthodox Church stated that t e citizens' tax dollars are paying for these books and they should be accurate. He pointed out that on Page 18, Figure 7 ommitted completely any mention of the Russian Orthodox Church. On Page 6 concerning the history, Paragraph 3 states that Father Igumen Nicholas arrived in 1795 when in fact he arrived in 1846. The planners. relied on false information such as what the Chamber gives out and other inaccurate sources rather than come to the those people who know. It further stated that Father Nicholas worked for 25 years when he only worked for 21 years. These errors should be corrected. He also woul~.d like some assurance that the land where he is buried is not sold some years in the future. He would like to have an apology from Thorpe and Associates for the errors made in this Plan. Ruby Coyle stated that she feels that she deserves more than five minutes to say what she came to say and thinks that it is ~ ridiculous to limit .t he time a person can speak at a public hearing. She further stated that she has- lived here in Kenai for 30 years and served on the City's Planning and Zoning Commission. She has a long history dealing with planning and believes in planning. Public Hering Kenai Comprehensive Plan October 17, 1979 Page 4 Mrs. Coyle stated that the present plan should be filed in the wastebasket. The City should be following the old Alaska Housing Authority Plan. The people have invested in this $72,500 monster and it is a waste of taxpayers money. .Her reason for trashcanning this plan is that it will cost the City of Kenai three times as much in more restrictions. We have too many restrictions now and that is why we are losing business within the City to areas like Kalifonsky Beach Road. There are over 15 businesses out there now that were in the City or could have been and they have moved. She stated that the Plan is full of errors such in the vicinity maps which do not mention North Kenai or Sterling. Dates which are in error and should read 1948 completion of the road to Seward; 1952 completion of the road to Anchorage; 1957 discovery of the Swanson Oil Fields; 1959 Incorporation of the City of Kenai. Page 9 historical facts are incorrect. The Bridge Access Road is not shown on many maps and neither is the bridge. There is no consistency. It does not show their house which has been there since 1948 nor does it show Mr. Borgen's or Mr. Jaynes.. Some existing land uses are not correct. Sloppy work: There are no figure numbers on the maps. Chester Cones' land is shown to be in the Wetlands and he has good building land. On gages 25 and 26 there is no mention of the 1970 Housing Authority Plan. If the Cities of Kenai. and Soldotna didn't have that plan then they would not have gotten the water and sewer grants. The map needs to be in color and you need a magnifying glass to read the one in this book. The old plan is far better. She further disagrees with the land trade off - Airport land for Wetlands. Airport land should be left for future enlargement. There are many more areas too numerous to mention and she has only pointed out errors through to Page 23 tonight. This Plan should not be adopted with so,~~many errors. There are too many small errors which add up to be many large ones. If the City gets a new zoning like Anchorage she will personally lead Beaver Creek area out of the CIty. We should not pattern our zoning after Anchorage but follow the Borough. The City needs to advocate a bypass road to alleviate the problems of traffic on the Kenai Spur Highway before someone is killed on the Highway. Alex Shadura stated that he is presently the President of the Kenatz Indian Tribe and the last President of the Kenai Civic League. He is active in the Historical Society of the Russian Church. He does believe in planning and has been a Planning member. He feels that this plan is too grandiose and sophisticated for Kenai. He pointed out that there are errors in the preface which are inaccurate historically. It is supposed to be factual and he questions the authenticity. Public Hearing Kenai Comprehensive Plan October 17, 1979 Page 5 Leo T. Oberts talked about the property that he owns along the Kenai River. There is a gravel pit on his homestead and he wants it to be indicated in the plan as such. There exists a commercial/ recreational area around Eagle Rock and he wants the plan to indicate that his land should be the same. He wants his land along-the Kenai River to be designated commercial/recreational so that he can operate a KOA campground. He pointed out the reports of high grade gravel in this area that should be protected. The City is in need of sources of gravel. It could be excavated, the area made into a lagoon and then into a marina. He passed out a handout on the gravel operation. Mr. Oberts would like th~se- items to be designated in the Comprehensive Plan so that he would not have any problems in the future. Bill Quandt stated that he has empty apartments. People are leaving not coming here. The oil fields are losing. and there is nothing to look forward to. Why think about things that are not coming? Waldo Coyle stated that we need to develop industry not more restrictions. We have spent enough. money on plans to build a new City Hall. Plans stifle the City. They were taken into the City against their will. They were told when the City was incorporated that they had an area large enough for three cities. Turn the rest of the area loose - we didn't. want a City anyway. The Center of town is owned by business owners and it will develop as it will. We only have a library and taxes out of capital improvements. Growth is in reverse now and will be until something else is started. The old plan was working and at least people didn't have to go to Council and Planning and Zoning for every special use permit. He will never let any of his wetlands go in trade. They talk about buoys in the harbor but don't take into account the high and low minus tides. The City must have docks. The City has turned over all available land that could be used for a City dock. Kenai was the third area after Kodiak and Kasilof to be used as a harbor.. Anchorage does not want us to have a harbor. We must get something to attract people and not make them move out. This Plan is talking about California not Kenai. This is not a bedroom community but a fishing village. Fishing is going to be here forever if we take care of it. Mayor O'Reilly questioned when the next scheduled public hearing will be. Jim Hendricks stated that it depends on what the Planning Commission plans to do after the next meeting on October 24. They can recommend changes in the document and then they can pass it on to Council and then to the Borough. There was a short recess of 10 minutes. Public Hearing Kenai Comprehensive Plan October 17, 1979 Page 6 Mr. Thorpe stated that the importance of the public hearing input would be the public comments. He realizes that there will be errors in the draft. He requested that the people write and mark up their copies of the draft and write in comments. They will be helpful in making the corrections for the final copies. Ruby Coyle wanted to know why the old plan which was done for the Borough was not mentioned in this plan. Len Zickler agreed that the plan was not mentioned or identified, but would be. Ruby Coyle questioned-the statement by Thorpe that the old plan was nine years old and she states that the plan was updated in 1975. Jim Hendricks stated that the old plan was done in 1969 - 1970. Ruby Coyle stated that she had talked to the Borough Clerk who said the plan was updated in 1974 and adopted in 1975. Alex Shadura stated that these maps are difficult to follow and the maps the Borough had were excellent, Ruby Coyle showed the map in the Borough plan. Jim Hendricks stated that the final plan after adoption will include maps in color.. They could see no point in putting the draft maps into color as they were not final and are expensive to do. Ruby Coyle questioned whether the cost of the colored maps is included in the original cost of the plan. Mr. Hendricks stated that they were. The Mayor stated that it is up to the Planning Commission as to the corrections and the public is invited to attend their meetings. Father Targonsky questioned why the plan did not mention cemetery expansion and the need for it. Bob Thorpe stated that there had been no direction from Council or Planning and Zoning. on this matter. There were no other comments and the public hearing adjourned at 9:15 p.m. F ~ ~y i anice E. Tay or Secretary to the Planning Commission .~ _ •_ t.,._ r r1`- .. `~„Y -~, ~:. 1 ^.,~ ~.-~.. • , ~~r C ~ ^_`i 1~~ S i ~.. ~~ ~~, ~~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ 6 ~4 `~~ ~`~ ~e -1 ~; 1t (' ~ ~iy ~~ ~ (\ \~ . ,_ ~ `V-, f Q f~ } r i ~~ - ~l (~,. Y r ~ +`. ~ ,z i l ~ •~ . r_~ t ~ i r~:~ q 1 ms` j .. s ~ l~ i 4 3 ~ ' ,~ r,~r. ~ ~- s~~V ~; P a t d ~~ k t 1 ~d ~z y y s t") ~ L; 3*t L_~~ _ I ~'~ (.~ ~O ~ 4, I~ . ' -/~ / i 1 ~: ~ T.5 N.~~ .10W. ~ S ~,, M. W Z I ~ --~ J zf Z ~ J~ O ~ H 1 -f ~I V W ~~ ~ N 1 / 16 UNE .~''•-~•:~'`~:~:•.;,:..•;.•;:,•..::•: ~:''-:' 1 /4 LINE ..,'~3:: ~bi ~t SYd t'~4; ^r ~ :;: ~ i / 16 LINE '•'S~G''0.~' y •~F~~: ~ .~: ~. ~,~ . ~•... ~ 1 ~ 7 a SECTION LINE ~_ `~~•••, 8 17 •:\i • ~ , . a z f- 0 0 o o r , • ... ~.__ .~...,~„._._. ~...~._ .... .., .._,. _. m. ~.___w,_,_ _ _, _.. _ m.__...~ __. .,>,.,, . . ... ,. . T .F. ,: , , .., ., .,_.-.~ ... ., ~ ~ - r ~ro~ ,,, ,:. ,. , Rub ~' S ' _ .. _ x:.__ y Coyle,: ?~ox'I~66, Ker~ai~'Alaska ~:~'~ , ~.. ,., ,. 30 year resident of Alaska and resided here for the entt~e~ 'time:" I was here before Kenai was incpx_porated as a ci ty. Served on the City Planning Commissi on' f'or '10 years 'and rorq~tgh 'Planning:Gommiss3~n r for '8 years. .. _ ~ ~~~, r_n .. ~., r .. , , . ... , . , ., , • ..., -, , ",, ~'- r f`~City of 'Kenai Comprehensi ve ~P1an~~Fina1 Draft' - ~ ~ - ` `i'' _' -First I` have` a suggestion lets file l3 th i~ compxehensive p~.an, ,.C .which 'means put 'it i'n the' waste can and forget. it.""And' follow the. One Alaska State Housing Authority °did in' 1Q70 and updated in 19'jI~ and adopted by the Kenai Pen. Boro Dec. 17, 1975. -~ - :. •. _ Now we ~ the people have inyestedr'. in this -monster 2 ` AO-o ~; r '•''` _. _ .. ~7 ., 5. ,,,_ 5 , 000 cornin`r;'-'from OCS~ management; Federal Monies and' ~l~}. 500 from. your and my property taxes to the Borough._ r My reasorizng'for 'trash cann~in~ it and not sbend3_ng your 'time sand my time' is'that'=it will cost the people`iiving`in`Kenai'tYiree fold"~ the above;amount;,yearly, ~if accepted and:.-;the Dx~aft'Zoning;,.Ordinance proposed put info:-~ef#'ect. ,._ ,,. --,~, ~~_ ._..; .{ .~~4 . _ _ _ More restrictions we got too many now that is why we are le5osing ~~= `the :businesses and residents the we have now. These are just a few errors I have noted in briefly scanning this Document. Vicinity Map does not list North Kena3_ or Niskiska which ever, neither does. it list Sterling. Page 8, Road to Seward was completed in 148 and road to .Anchorage was not completed in 151. Swanson River Oil field discovered in 1951 no it was in 1957. The Cit-r of Kenai was incorporated in 1959 not 1960. This pComprehensi~e plan ehdt~dd not be adopted frith this many small errors h#~r~x~~a$~k~ar~cx~kxx~x :,how..many rig ones :- . .. -, ,... , are„4involved ,, ,, , -. r; .. ,,. Y r '~~ -.Now ~we have .~ou~;ht,;.argued .and kil~~d, changing our zoning ;- Ort~~nance severa 1 times before now we have some more of,,the same and worse. Now if this is adopted and our zoning Ordinance patterend after.Anchorage instead:,pf keeping-,with.Our,.Lorough~s .L.will personally lead..a ,fight .to let.. Beaver Creek ;.Area out., of ,the City of :Kenai.. ~ ; As ~,t~is,~,plan-reflects... let no king happen ~i.~n thisarea and_;let. ~ ~. all,,development go -to .Central : Sena y,,1 - -, -3~A~ _, ,_ .., .. .. _, ,_ .~. Mentiopr,of ~'ive_,lane_;highway-.the.. last • timer; I,drove ,~.t ~ it ., -~- rwas four lard with, center lane..fore ~urnin~;, ,purposes4,.only. ,~: t-.: . To not address the bypass route for t'he c-ty of Kenai now ;- =. with.-10.,04Q~kvehicles per day doing .through,..the„eenter.of ,,.r ~;- - '°Kenai is LL,'.~ustnno~ locking _the..,barn door until., the Horse{is ;out,. ;~ ~ ~~ ,- .,~'.I°:hope't ~is not me or -one of-you or e,ur gloved 'orie'that' ' ' is killed by this hindsight and no ~'oresght.~~= ~-~-~" ~=`' ~ . .- .;~:: ~ ._ ,. -,-; ,` __ .;.~ - ~~ ~- k - - ~ -. ... r. .~ _.- is .. - t ..,, ~ ..> ~ ~~ ~" ~... C ~ .. _. ... a .. ~ _. -1_. j. ~• ~ .,. ,.~.... - u _~.1... .1 ~ _ ~ .. _.. ~ -. .. /~