Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-16 P&Z Work Session MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION WORK SESSION September 16, 1996 Kenai City Council Chambers Council Present: Williams, Smalley, Measles, Bookey, Moore, Swarner and Bannock. Commission members present: Christian, Geocke, Quade, Bryson and Glick. Staff present: Kebschull, Graves, Ross, Kornelis, Moms, Burnett, DeForest, Elson. Others present: Stan Steadman, Ethel Clausen, Hugh Chumley. Mayor Williams opened the work session at 7:00 p.m. He requested Stan Steadman give a short report regarding activities of the Economic Development District. Steadman Report: Steadman distributed copies of the May, 1996 Progress Report. He informed Council and Commissioners that a few days prior, through Representative Young's office, a $1 million grant was awarded to them. Having the grant will allow them to pay off the debt with the bank and renovate the EDD building for use by the incubator program. EDD projects Steadman reported on were: a. Small Business Assistance Program -- This project was very successful. They issued loans to 14 small businesses in the area. They are also having an analysis done by a person who has had a lot of experience with incubator programs in Kansas. b. Alyeska Alloys Project (bringing iron ore from Chile and interacting with natural gas) -- The project is progressing. A site was chosen in Tyonek and will positively affect the Borough's tax base. c. Volcano Project -- This project is in the developmental stages. d. Shellfish Hatchery -- This project will be operated by EDD for the shellfish group . e. Youth Enterprise Project -This project was very successful and the city was very supportive, involving their Handiworks group with atimber-cruising project for the city. That group then worked for the Salamatof Native Association, who were so impressed with the program, they are planning to integrate it with their summer youth program. KENAI CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 PAGE 2 f. Port Graham/Study of Pink Salmon -Port Graham submitted an application to Exxon for funding to conduct a study on pink salmon. Because of their tax status, they contracted with EDD and Fish & Game, who subcontracted the work back to Port Graham. g. Ice Rink Study -Mark Whetherstone gave a short review of the Ice Rink Study which was completed by EDD with which he was involved as the RCMD coordinator. They reviewed the draft report of EDD and added information to the report. They were asked to report on economic impacts that would affect the Borough, as well as those from the building of the Nikiski facility. Whetherstone stated he would supply the city with ten additional copies of the report. Williams requested council and P&Z to review the report and add their comments. h. Sakhalin, Russia & Okita, Japan -Steadman explained EDD had been facilitating visits of students, professionals, etc. from these areas to the Kenai/Soldotna area. Steadman stated they were wanting to know if this involvement was to continue or if they should pursue it. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE DISCUSSION: Carl Glick, Chairperson of the Planning & Zoning Commission reported the Commission had worked on the Comprehensive Plan Update for some time and finished their work on it nine months prior. He noted, some of the items discussed in the 1992 update came forward, others had nothing done, i.e. Kenai Spur Highway upgrade (soon to be completed) and the upgrade of pedestrian/bike paths on Forest Drive (not yet begun). Commissioner Bryson reported there were some areas of the update abotu which the Commission had diversely different views. One of the areas was development along the Spur Highway. The upgrade didn't change access to the highway, yet it is a more imposing road. There had been a request to change zoning on two lots (from residential to commercial) across from KCHS, but the residents there were very opposed to allowing commercial development in that area. Bannock also noted the possibility of changing that zoning was a major point of contention. He added, he believed the plan should be a report of where the city came from, but also, what it wants for the future. He believes the Spur corridor should be KENAI CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 PAGE 3 commercial, one lot deep with obvious exceptions where there are already residences. He would want to encourage the availability of becoming a commercial zone a good thing. Carl Glick noted the discussion of the library did not include the proposed addition. Swarner noted "wheelchair" was misspelled in that portion of the report. Williams spoke about the tax base and how information regarding economic trends should be used when plamung for the future. Geocke noted the reports say there are more jobs in the area, but they are not the kind of jobs that pay wages to sustain increases in the mill rates, etc. Councilman Moore stated the unemployment rate had alarmed him and he would like the city to keep focused on businesses that are not seasonal. Williams stated his concern the population decline had to do with the lack of building lots in Kenai. Bannock stated he would like more information placed at Page 23 in regard to the Spur Highway corridor. Glick noted that on Page 26(a), a statement was included in regard to commercial development "at strategic locations along the Spur Highway..." Bannock stated he thought the statement should be stronger, i.e. not just to "encourage" commercial development. Williams suggested waiting to see how the neighborhood reacts to the Spur Highway upgrade. People may be more interested in development commercial development in that area. Smalley agreed. Smalley discussed the increase in student enrollment at the various area schools and suggested the Kenai Elementary School be renovated to be able to be used as a school again. Those entities now using the school could be moved to the Old Cams Mall. Other suggested additions to the Plan were: a. Page 28, expound on Marathon Road use (for the ARFF and Challenger Center. Include a copy of the ARFF layout drawing). b. Information regarding the Public Health Nurse space needs. c. New court house should be mentioned, pointing out the building is cit- owned for eight years and at that time it will be turned over to the State. d. Page 52 or 71, information should be included regarding the proposed year-around skating multi-use facility. e. Old Town Park should be included as it was just dedicated and updated through efforts by the Rotary Club and City. Williams also suggested a new park be developed along the green strip between the highway and Lawton Drive. The area could KENAI CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 PAGE 4 be made handicap accessible and perhaps the Lions Club could get involved with its development, instead of the park area by the Oilers field, as they previously proposed. f. Page 53 should include information regarding the upgrade of Municipal Park playground and the Park Strip park. Marilyn Kebschull reported the Borough has included $30,000 in their budget each year (for the last two years) to pay for updates to Comprehensive Plans. Last year Soldotna received the funds and this year Homer did. Soldotna hired a consultant to do the update and the update included color maps, etc. She suggested council and Planning & Zoning may want to consider requesting the funding for the next update Kenai does. Williams requested the changes discussed be included in the council packet for review at the October 2, 1996 council meeting. Hugh Chumley - Chumley stated he resides at 309 Princess Lane and felt, as a developer, the council and Commission were giving mixed signals through their discussion during the session. He stated he had tried to change the zoning for two lots in front of his home (along the Spur) to commercial and was turned down due to public outcry. Yet, his residence is in front of where the ARFF will be placed and there seemed to be no concern that it, as a commercial development, could be a concern by himself and other residents along Princess and Magic Lanes. He added, if the Commission was making their decisions by public outcry, he could find developers to state their complaints as well. He did not think the session was giving out a signal to developers that they were encouraging development. Kebschull also asked if council was wanting maps to be updated. If they were, they may not be able to have them available by October 2. Williams requested the changes and ordinance for approval be included in the October 2 agenda for introduction. Along with those items, have a memo informing council of any extension of time that may be needed before ratification in order to have the maps updated. BREAK TAKEN: 8:54 P.M. BACK TO SESSION: 9:05 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 PAGE 5 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT LIST DISCUSSION: Williams stated the funding for CIP projects would probably diminished again this year. There was a move afoot to take funding away for Governor's matching grants and go back to the 1/3, 1/3 and 1/3 funding. Also, this year there was a heavily contested senate seat race as well as a new representative in junior standing, which may lessen the city's chances in receiving funding. Williams added, it was unknown at this time how the Public Health Nurse issue would end or what costs may be involved or whether the state will help with the costs. Some funding for the Challenger Center could come from a state agency. Their public relations contractor stated they could raise one-half of the funds needed to build the facility. For the rest, they may need to make a separate request for funding to the Governor. He added, in order to get that extra funding from the Governor, it may be necessary to hire a lobbyist. He indicated Ashley Reed, who had been the lobbyist for the city in the past, has a close relationship with the Governor as well as the State Board of Education. He asked council if they would be willing to listen to a plan from Reed. Williams also stated he had already talked with Reed and told him if council was willing to talk with Reed, Reed will have to come with a plan, as well as being sure to forward reports to council and on-time billings, etc. Discussion followed regarding Reed. Bookey commented he was not sure Reed had brought anything to the city and didn't have a lot of faith in him. Smalley stated he could be very effective with the legislature at this time. Williams noted effectiveness is sometimes hard. to measure. Bannock asked if it would be an advantage or disadvantage to have Reed working with Northwest Strategies. Williams noted he could help in other areas as well. Smalley stated he was not willing to go into a contract with him at this time, but would listen to a plan in order to make a decision. Swarner and Bookey agreed with Smalley. Council referred to Resolution No. 9b-69 which was included in the packet of information for the session. The resolution was to list the city's FY98 Capital Project Matching Grant Program projects and request state funding. Kornelis requested council inform him of what project they wanted to list. Funding to request was calculated at $210,257. The city's match amount would be 30%. Council agreed to have one project for the amount of $210,257 and it to be "Water Quality and Quantity Development Program." KENAI CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 PAGE 6 William suggested the Governor's Matching Grant Program be placed as Item No. 1 on the city brochure. Kornelis reported DEC suggested he add to the three DEC grant requests a Phase I of the upgrade of the STP for the amount of $302,000 because it will be a big costly project. DEC wanted to do a Phase I first to do the plans and specifications, etc. Because the brochure did not have to be completed at this time, council requested the item be placed on the October 2, 1996 agenda. AD.IOURNMENT The work session ended at 10:00 p.m. Notes transcribed and submitted by: ~~ ~~~~~ Carol L. Freas, City Clerk