HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-05-27 P&Z MinutesKENAI PLANNING & ZONING. COMMISSION Amended
May 27, 1987 - 7:00 PM
Kenai City Hall
Lee Lewis, Chairman
6:00 PM - Work Session on Proposed Revisions to Townhouse Ordinance
(See Memo from Attorney)
AGENDA
1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. PERSONS PRESENT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Resolution PZ87-7: Amend Zoning Code: 14.20.245 and 14.20.320
Pertaining to Recreational Vehicles and Recreational Vehicle
Parks
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of May 13, 1987
6. OLD BUSINESS
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Preliminary Plat PZ87-9: Candlelight Drive R/W Dedication
8. PLANNING
9. REPORTS
a. City Council
b. Borough Planning
c. Administration
10. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
11. INFORMATION ITEMS
Borough Planning AGenda
City Council Agenda
12. COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
13. ADJOURNMENT
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KENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
May 27, 1987 - 7:00 PM
Kenai City Hall
Lee Lewis, Chairman
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Lewis, Bryson, Michou, Osborne
Absent: Church, O'Reilly, Smalley (all excused)
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Amended agenda approved unanimously
3. PERSONS PRESENT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
None
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Resolution PZ87-7: Amend Zoning Code: 14.20.245 and 14.20.320
~ Pertaining to Recreational Vehicles and Recreational Vehicle
Parks
Planning Specialist Loper introduced the item explaining that this
final draft is the culmination of about 3 years of work by the
Commission and this draft is the result of work done by the legal
department. This ordinance allows for the caravans, places
responsibility to the City Manager for designating places for RV
parks which do not fall under other guidelines, and does not appear
too stringent, however, stringent enough to enable the City to
respond to citizen complaints.
Chairman Lewis opened the meeting to the public for comments, there
were none. Chairman Lewis brought the item back to the Commission.
Commissioner Bryson asked that in the event this were on the books
at this time, is it the attorney's opinion that the proposed RV
park down on Beaver Loop would have been permitted. Answer from
Planning Specialist Loper, the question has not been put to
attorney. I could not answer for him. This ordinance is general
rather than specific.
Commissioner Bryson commented on 14.20.245 (d)(1) referring to
cannery workers. Commissioner Bryson stated, "I can think of a lot
of situations that that could be virtually intolerable even though
they are on private property it is quite dangerous to public health
and it probably goes on now. What I would like to do is continue
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
May 27, 1987
Page 2
the sentence where it reads, "only during the cannery season
provided 14.20.245 Sections 1 & 2 are conformed to." They are
basically that "Utilities are adequate" and "Health, safety, and
welfare will not be jeopardized". Chairman Lewis asked if #3 would
be excluded, Commissioner Bryson answered yes that would just bring
us around in a circle.
Commissioner Bryson noted that at the bottom of the first page of
the ordinance, 14.20.245 (d)(2) the verbiage could be changed to
read more clearly: "except that areas may be designed by the City
Manager for use as camping areas and at such time as designated by
the City Manager." It is confusing and might read better be
deleting the words "by the City Manager" and "and".
MOTION:
Commissioner Bryson moved to approve Resolution PZ87-7 pertaining
to Recreational Vehicles including the following amendments:
1) Section 14.20.245 (d)(2): delete the words [BY THE CITY
MANAGER] and [AND]
The paragraph should now read: "No persons may occupy or utilize
any recreational vehicle as living quarters or sleeping
accommodations while such vehicle is parked on City property, not
designated as a recreational vehicle park, except that areas may be
designated for use as camping areas at such times as designated by
the City Manager."
2) Section 14.20.245 (3)(1)
add words: provided KMC 14.20.245 (1 and 2) are conformed to.
The Commission further requested that the proposed draft be
forwarded on to Council for approval and passage at the earliest
opportunity.
VOTE:
Motion passed unanimously
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of May 13, 1987
Minutes were not available at meeting time.
6. OLD BUSINESS
None
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Preliminary Plat PZ87-9: Candlelight Drive R/W Dedication
Administrative Assistant Gerstlauer, to make the Commission aware
that this easement traverses land adjacent to the current municipal
j golf course, the lands were at one time proposed for additional
nine holes. The City has received a signed lease from Dick Morgan,
but to my knowledge, that it has not been signed by Mr. Morgan so
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
May 27, 1987
Page 3
} there may be conflict in the future. Chairman Lewis, the lease
property that would preclude a dedicated ROW? Answer yes.
Chairman Lewis recognized Mrs. Burnett to speak on the matter.
Mrs. Burnett: "I need to address this matter in that the lease
specified that, Mr. Morgan's lease, specified that it includes any
easements of record. So that, that provision is there. As I
mentioned to you privately before the meeting, this plat is
submitted in harmony with ordinance 87-083 which was passed through
PZ and on to City Council and signed by them on August 17, 1983.
So this is simply a platting of the road that was granted by that
ordinance."
Chairman Lewis, "when did it first come to your attention that the
golf course wanted to incorporate this same land. Answer from Mrs.
Burnett, 1985. Chairman Lewis asked if she had discussed it with
anyone in the City at that time, answer yes, for two years from the
time we found out what the golf course included. Chairman Lewis,
how would you describe the City's position on it. Mrs. Burnett,
the City has changed their position a number of times and their
most recent meeting that I attended, the Council simply elected to
do nothing. They said that, the Mayor's words to me was, "we gave
you an easement, claim it." His words to Mr. Morgan were: "we've
given you an option to lease with whatever easements may be there."
Administrative Assistant Gerstlauer, at the last Council meeting
which I attended also, May 20th, the Council directed
Administration to make the land available to Mr. Morgan. He has
what is called the first right of refusal on that land. He can't
claim the land or ask for a lease, we have to make it available.
Council directed that we do that. Subject to easements, that may
very well be. They did change some of that verbiage and I'm not
privy to what they changed, but it did have to do with that
section. That lies with the legal department, but there has been a
change. Mrs. Burnett: "that is specifically what it says, it does
not elaborate, it just says subject to easements of records, I do
have a copy of that."
Commissioner Bryson asked if the legal staff had offered any
recommendations to us? Answer no. Commissioner Mishou stated that
he felt we were being asked to solve a legal problem. Chairman
Lewis and Administrative Assistant Gerstlauer felt that on the face
of it, no. Chairman Lewis felt that as far as legalities go, there
is nothing here to support a decision. Commissioner Bryson noted
that the City has to sign the plat as the property owner and asked
if the City Manager had been given any direction from Council.
Answer from Mrs. Gerstlauer, no. I would venture to say that this
plat would go to Council but I don't know that for a fact. I could
not answer for him.
~ Commissioner Osborne asked what the Commission had done the
previous time this issue had appeared before the Commission. Ms.
Loper answered that if memory serves, the easement had been
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
May 27, 1987
Page 4
granted without dedicating it, then Council had taken over.
Chairman Lewis noted that there was no golf course at the time.
There was also something about the gravel pit. Mrs. Burnett
answered that there was a proposed moving of the gravel pit from
the west side of the road to the east side in 1984. Actually,
we've been back and forth with several different issues. First we
were granted the road, then they were thinking of putting the
gravel pit right in front of the property so we opposed that and
that only got stopped because of the golf course proposition which
of course we welcome anyone would rather have a golf course right
across from their land than a gravel pit. The only thing was that
we didn't understand at that time that the proposal was being
considered to actually cover up Candlelight. I don't recall if
there were any specific stipulations on what P&Z did in 1983 as
opposed to what the Council finally did with it, it was specified
in the ordinance that the City did not maintain the road unless it
was upgraded to standard, which it is not.
Commissioner Bryson felt very uneasy that we are being asked to act
on this and the Council hasn't indicated that they are even going
to plat it. Mrs. Gerstlauer stated that normally it wouldn't go to
Council. I can't say what Bill what do. Mrs. Burnett stated that
she did present this very plat to Mr. Brighton Friday, in view of
the fact that we did have an ordinance for support on that, and he
simply commented to us that he doesn't sign-'the paper plat, he
signs the mylars and that it has certain steps that it had to go
through and that it would finally end up on his desk in mylar form.
When I questioned him as to why it couldn't be signed since it is
actually been before P&Z and been before Council before it could
ever become an ordinance, he just simply said well there are other
details on the plat, the surveying details and other things that
P&Z has to take a look at, Dana was there for that conversation.
Commissioner Bryson asked if there had been a survey done,
exception to the staking requested, answer from surveyor in
audience, it is presently being surveyed to monument according to
the Borough regulations, no specific monumentation waiver was
requested. Commissioner Bryson felt there were two options open to
the Commission, one is to postpone action and the other is to
approve it and request that it go immediately to the Council for
revocation of our action prior to going on to the next stage. Mrs.
Gerstlauer stated that it could go to Council before the Borough
meeting which is June 8th.
Mrs. Burnett stated that she "agreed with Dana, you're not being
asked to decide any legal questions at all, this may very well end
up a legal matter, but if so, it will be determined, first of all
it will be on Mr. Brighton's desk for the final approval, without
his approval it will not have any bearing, and even it he does put
his approval on it if it proceeds to a legal matter than it will be
decided by the court. I don't think this body is being asked to
decide any legal question but simply whether the plat is up to
standard as far as the workmanship of the surveyors and again that
you do have the authority of ordinance 870-83. There is nothing on
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
May 27, 1987
Page 5
the books conflicting instructions even in the lease that Mr.
Morgan has returned back to the City and has not yet been signed,
because it does provide for any easements.
Ms. Loper suggested that perhaps Commissioner Bryson is suggesting
that this body has no knowledge of the desires of Council, they
have never seen the ordinance you are referencing. Mrs. Burnett
handed out a copy of the ordinance to the Commission.
Commissioner Mishou asked if it would be safe to say that if no
action is taken nothing would happen, or if action is taken and we
approved it, it could get the legal action it would need. Mrs.
Burnett answered that probably either way legal action is very
likely. Surveyor from the audience stated that the plat goes to
the Borough and whether or not you take action, they will approve
it whether they hear from you or not, they will approve it
according to the staff comments.
Commissioner Bryson stated that he can agree with what Mrs. Burnett
says about the property, however, I am still uneasy about the fact
that there is positioning for relative priority on the property
itself. Chairman Lewis stated that the Commission has not been
made aware of that. Commissioner Bryson felt somewhat dismayed
that there is no legal staff report. Commissioner Mishou asked if
the plat for the golf course came before this Commission, Chairman
Lewis answered yes. Commissioner Mishou asked.if at the time the
existence of this road was addressed, answer from Mrs. Gerstlauer,
I was not here at the time and I don't know why Jeff Labahn didn't
bring it up, that would probably have cleared up this whole mess,
but the ordinance was in effect and the original lease from 1985
did have the language that if the City should make this additional
acreage available to Mr. Morgan he has the first right of refusal.
Why this happened I don't know.
Commissioner Mishou stated, that if we were dealing with sold
property instead of leased, a title search would have uncovered the
ordinance. Mrs. Gerstlauer answered that ordinances are not
recorded. Mrs. Burnett stated that this was the reason we were
subsequently instructed to go ahead and survey and plat it, that
way it would be a matter of record. These were the instructions
from on of the Council meetings they had.
MOTION:
Commissioner Bryson moved to approve Resolution PZ87-9, preliminary
plat for Candlelight Drive R/W Dedication, contingent upon that
this recommendation, if approved, be forwarded to Council, seconded
by Commissioner Osborne.
Chairman Lewis Commissioner Bryson to explain the last provision,
do you mean forwarded to Council prior to administrative approval,
~ answer "I would like Council to ratify the positive motion that may
be passed prior to giving the City authority to sign off."
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
May 27, 1987
Page 6
Chairman Lewis asked if that was not normal procedure anyway,
answer from Ms. Loper, no. Plats do not go to Council unless
specified as Commissioner Bryson has just done. Mrs. Burnett, as
Dana said too, if Mr. Brighton was in doubt he would put it back to
Council anyway, it still isnt going to be final until he signs it
just as Mr. Morgan's lease will not be final until its signed by
Mr. Brighton so the ultimate decision is going to be on Mr.
Brighton's desk anyway. Surveyor, normally the Council is the
initiator of a project so they have given you authority to do the
- process. In this case as Mrs. Burnett indicated, the process
involves city-owned property.
VOTE:
Motion passed unanimously.
8. PLANNING
None
9. REPORTS
a. City Council
None -
b. Borough Planning
Commissioner Bryson informed the Commission about a lengthy
discussion by a logger from Cooper Landing concerning the trees
being cut which are victim of the beetle infestation. The concern
is that the dead trees are a forest fire potential and loggers
would like to cut or harvest the timber. This is an ongoing battle
this individual has had with the forest service.
c. Administration
None
10. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
None
11. INFORMATION ITEMS
Borough Planning Agenda
City Council Agenda
No comments
12. COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
Commissioner Osborne questioned the sign which is the side of the
building containing the donut shop owned by Mrs. Swanson. "The
`l PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
May 27, 1987
Page 7
whole side of the building looks like a sign." Planning Specialist
Loper was asked to check into the legality of a sign of that size.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:45
PM.
Janet Loper, Planning Specialist
Secretary to the Commission
KENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Roll
Call
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1
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Chairman
•Lee Lewis
'Phil Bryson
Gloria Church
Leighton Mishou Y
'
Marj O
Reilly
Ozzie-Osborne
Hal Smalley
Pass/Fail
TO DO