HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-05-12 P&Z Minutes~-6
KENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - 7:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers
AGENDA
1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 28, 1993
4. PERSONS PRESENT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
~',5 . PUBLIC HEARINGS
C~~~ ~ a. Resolution PZ 93-17: Kcherita Katering
J~~6 . PLANNING
-'a. Resolution PZ 93-18: Gemini Park Atchison Replat
~ ~,`(.~b. Resolution PZ 93-19: Quality Subdivision
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. OLD BUSINESS
a. Resolution PZ 92-26: Rezone - See (Tabled 10/14/92)
9. CODE ENFORCEMENT ITEMS
a. Quandt Property
10. REPORTS
a. City Council
b. Borough Planning
c. City Administration
11. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED
12. INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Western Planner Conference
13. COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
14. ADJOURNMENT
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KENAI 'PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - 7:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers
MINUTES
1. ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Duane Bannock, Kevin Walker, Ron Goecke,
Phil Bryson, Lori McComsey
Absent: Carl Glick (excused) (1 Vacancy)
Also Present: Councilman Smalley; Jack La Shot, City
Engineer; Loretta Harvey, Administrative
Assistant
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Additions to the agenda were:
MOTION:
6. b. Resolution PZ 93-19:
Quality Subdivision
Goecke MOVED approval of Aqenda as amended and asked UNANIMOUS
CONSENT. Walker SECONDED. PASSED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 28, 1993
MOTION:
Goecke MOVED approval of minutes as presented and asked UNANIMOUS
CONSENT. Walker SECONDED. PASSED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
4. PERSONS PRESENT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Resolution PZ 93-17: Kcherita Katering
Bryson introduced the item and opened the Public Hearing.
***PUBLIC HEARING - VERBATIM***
Sherman Jones, I live right adjacent, in lots 14 and 15, to the
lot that they want to get the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) on. And
I was never informed of the original CUP, by the way, which I don't
think should have been issued without everybody being informed.
And I also bought in this subdivision because there was no
commercial tenants in there and it was clearly stated in the
covenants, that there would not be any. And there are a large
number of children in this division. I have five grandchildren
that play all the time out in that lot next to where they want to
put the cafe. And this is very close to our property line where
KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - Minutes
Page 2
they intend to put a parking lot, I seriously doubt that they could
put one. The septic system there was designed for a single family
dwelling and I'm sure that septic system will not meet a commercial
system at all. And that septic system is only forty feet from my
septic system so it would probably cause problems. And I am
against giving this CUP. Thank you.
Bryson Are there questions for the testifier? One thing I would
mention is that the prior approval is for a Home Occupation not a
Conditional Use so it did not require public notification. Is
there anyone else who would like to speak?
Tom Rhyner Good evening, my name is Tom Rhyner, and I live
directly across the street at 500 Robin Drive. And I'm opposed to
this, I left a letter upstairs, it may be in your packet. And my
wife had something at church, so I'll read what she wrote. This
is:
"To Whom It May Concern/The Planning and Zoning Commission:
I live at 500 Robin Drive, may name is Mary Ryhner and I would like
to go on record as opposing the granting of a CUP for catering and
fine dining at 500 Robin Drive. We live directly across the street
from this house, intended for this. We have full view of the house
and don't want to have additional traffic and activities until 11
at night. We have three school aged children and need them to be
well rested for their early days. Also, this house did not have a
CUP when the Langleys lived there. Mary Lou had a Home Occupation
Permit which was entirely different. She made candles and sold
them to retail outfits in town. There were no customers coming to
buy on a regular basis. Also on the site plan it shows parking
coming in from the Spur Highway to the back of the residence. Our
covenants state that all access to the lots must be from the
platted interior streets. The house isn't built for the use and is
zoned residential. I would like our neighborhood to continue to be
residential. Please deny this request."
That is from my wife, Mary Rhyner. If you look at your site plats
on there, you'll see that there are some things that, such as a
driveway which was penciled in on the back which, according to our
covenants cannot be there. Also, it shows that it's about 11 1/2
feet wide where the parking is going to be and there is a well in
the middle of where the parking is going to be. And I drive a
little rabbit, I don't know, it might be 11 1/2 feet long but I
would have trouble getting it in there, I'm sure. Also one of our
covenants states about cutting down trees and so forth and I
believe I left a copy of the covenants that cover our subdivision
also with the Clerk. And there may be a copy of them there, but it
says that the buyer may remove only the amount of trees necessary
to the construction of the home and access to that home and any
~ landscaping necessary. And putting in a parking lot for half a
dozen or more cars I would not consider normal. Thank you.
KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - Minutes
Page 3
Bryson Are there any questions for Mr. Rhyner? Thank you. Is
there anyone else who would like to speak?
Jim Davidson Members of the Commission, my name is Jimmie
Davidson, I live at 565 Robin Drive, a short way down the street
from this property. And I subdivided this place in 1968, when we
did we had covenants, as Mr. Rhyner stated about trees being cut
down and such like that. I'm very familiar with this house, that
property, I was the builder. As far as catering, or a restaurant
the house is very inadequate for any kind of a restaurant. I have
the plans which I had to dig out, which gives the dimension of the
kitchen, dining room, etc., if you would like to look at them. But
if not I could give you the dimensions. The dining room is 12 X
16, the kitchen is approximately 10 X 10, and the living room is 20
X 10. And there is a main bath, which is in the hallway going down
toward the bedroom. And there is another bath off of the bedroom.
So as far as a restaurant for fine dining, it is not adequate for
that purpose.
I can sympathize with the Morrisons or whoever is doing this, you
know. But that is not the property to do it. I can understand
anyone wanting to start their own business, I'm all for it. But
that is really not the place. And the lot size is too small and
where they on the map, where they were going to extend the driveway
out is were I had the well. And than in the covenants, when I put
in the subdivision in 1968, that you leave a certain amount of
trees for a buffer zone etc, like that. And we tried to keep it
low-key and a place where people can raise their children. Which
we did, and of course ours died. But I, that is just not adequate
property and the house is not large enough for a restaurant. A
catering business? Maybe very small, low-key, limited, possibly.
But I still have problems with that too.
But, like I say I appreciate the people trying to get their own
business started but this is not the place to do it. I know Mary
Lou and Travis when they lived there, they had a CUP for her candle
shop and I've never seen more than two or three cars there in the
driveway at one time. It's, as far as I'm concerned, it didn't
bother Mr. Rhyner at all for that. But as far as fine dining or
restaurant, it's just too small of a place. I know I would really
appreciate having a fine dining place somewhere in the area but
this is really not the place.
Bannock Mr. Davidson, if I could just ask you a couple of questions
in regards to the catering part of this particular application.
You mentioned that you probably would not have a problem with that
if it was limited?
Davidson Very limited.
Bannock Could you give me some ideas, Mr. Davidson, on
specifically what that would be, by low-key or limited? One of the
advantages of a CUP is to put conditions and limits on them, but
what did you exactly have in mind by that?
KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - Minutes
Page 4
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Davidson That they didn't change the outside. That they didn't cut
down trees. They used the same driveway and there wouldn't be ...
Bannock I'm sorry, outside of the
Davidson In the front of the house.
Bannock Change the building or change the .
Davidson No, not change the building and not cut down anymore
trees. Because the neighbor across the street, when I built the
house I didn't take down anymore trees than what was necessary for
the house and the back yard. If they could use the existing
driveway, and I know when I put that well in out there, the
existing driveway that goes in is about 15 feet from the driveway.
And than if they extended it on, they would have that, I don't know
if you're familiar with a well head? How it comes out in your
yard? Okay that sits right up there and there would have to be
some kind of protection around it if they extend, make that
driveway wider. Limited would be maybe three to four cars a day,
or something like that. Like Mary Lou and Travis had there. And
I don't think anyone in the subdivision would disapprove of that.
Bryson Are there other questions of Mr. Davidson? Thank you.
Andy Selanoff My name is Andy Selanoff, 503 Robin Drive, the third
lot in that subdivision. I've gotten this notice, this letter from
the gentleman that wanted to establish a catering service. I've
lived there, in that subdivision since 1971. I have never moved
and I don't know it might take a little bit of enforcement to move
me out of that subdivision. The services that the people in that
number 1, number 16, lot I had no idea of if she had any permit to
do her commercial business. If she did it didn't bother me one
bit. From the time they moved in there, 'til the time they moved
out I have never seen no traffic at all. Someone going in there to
buy candles. I didn't know anything about it. All I saw was
"Candles" on the sign on the tree. That's all. It didn't disturb
anybody.
But, in this case, I think there would be a little bit of
disturbance, if this catering service was permitted. And I believe
it is inadequate, there isn't enough space in there for parking and
plus there are children growing up in that subdivision. And there
are school aged children that are in that subdivision and besides
that, the two houses the number one, and number 14 or 16, if the
gentleman drove out of his parking lot from out of his garage - and
he drove out, number 16 drove out from his parking lot, if there
was any carelessness there, there would be some hard feelings. So
in this case I want to oppose this giving the permit to this
~ catering service, because of the situation, the conditions, not
adequate space.
KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - Minutes
Page 5
I don't have any feelings against somebody wanting to start a
business. This would be an ideal, where somebody would want to go
into a fine dining facility and look at the birds, and hear the
birds singing, or some kind of a relaxation. I don't see that type
of offer in that subdivision, this gentleman is trying to give. I
don't see that. The reason I don't see that is because I've been
to a couple of these catering services myself. Which were very,
very good. Where there was no traffic, no neighbors, nothing to
worry about, but just relax. And this subdivision is a subdivision
for family use, not business, I don't believe. Thank you.
Bryson Thank you Mr. Selanoff. Are there any questions. Are
their other people who wish to testify?
John Thomas My name is John Thomas and I reside at 525 Robin Drive.
I pretty much have the same feelings as my neighbors do, about the
opening of the catering and fine dining establishment. Also
another thing that I was thinking of, it doesn't say anything about
having a liquor license or anything once it gets established. Even
if they didn't have a liquor license people still could bring their
own wine or like that which I think alot of people would do.
Because when you think of fine dining, you think of fine food and
fine wines. And having people coming in and dining and eating and
having a good time, because I have two children of my own and we
live probably 75 yards away from that house. And they like to get
out on the street and play around, like little kids do. So, I am
totally opposed to the proposal as presented. That's all I have to
say.
Bryson Are there any questions for Mr. Thomas? Thank you.
Nina Selby My name is Nina Selby, and I live at 560 Robin drive.
My husband and I, I'll say all of the above too, so I won't take so
much time. My husband and I, the reason that we chose that area to
build our home on because of the covenants and zoning that is in
there. Residential only, for one family residences. We've lived
there since 1972 and we enjoy that place, we enjoy that cul-de-sac
street. And I was kind of appalled when I received this letter.
In one place it says, I was concerned too, about serving wine and
beer and than eventually getting a liquor license. And that's not
an area to do that, in my opinion. And one of the sentences in
this letter it says the dining is "5 star service and food". I
appreciate that and it is very much needed in this area. Well I
don't agree with that at all. I don't think it's necessary in that
area. I think the fine dining service and good food is wonderful
to have in some other place, but not in a residential area.
And like the other people said we have small children running all
over there and they go out in the yard to play and sometimes they
ride their bikes in the street. And I don't think that there
should be a place like that where they say they will have up to 10
people a day, from 6 to 11 o'clock at night. That really bothers
me and I hope you will not grant that CUP.
KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - Minutes
Page 6
Bryson Are there any questions for Nina? Thank you. Other persons
who would like to speak?
Rita Morrison My name is Rita Morrison, my husband Ken Morrison,
who is the head honcho of the business we are trying to get going,
he's out of town tonight. Everybody here seems to be under the
impression that we are trying to open a real restaurant which is
not our intent. This is reservations only, we are not open to the
public, just to walk in anytime during the day off the street. So
as far as the parking goes, it is going to be very limited. It has
to be anyway because of the area we have. We do not have a liquor
license, although, people who would come and join in our dining
want to bring a bottle of wine they're allowed too, we just can't
sell it to them. You know we're not thinking of remodeling the
house and we're not going to go chopping down trees or any of
that stuff. The landscaping is beautiful, I think, the way it is
and so is the house. You did a nice job building it.
You know, as far as children playing in the street and everything,
I think everbody's got to watch that, no matter where you live
anyway. As far as traffic goes though, that would be the first
house off the highway so they shouldn't be going down the street or
anything like that. Since it is required reservations I don't even
know what we would have, since it isn't going yet. But I don't
think we're going to be doing it every night of the week or
anything like that. And as far as the hours go, from 6:00 to 11:00
they're not set either, you know. It's just kind of a basic dinner
hour type thing. But I'm sure there's going to be many, many
nights that we're not going to have anything at all, either. So,
that's about it. If anybody wants to ask me anything I'll try to
answer it.
Bryson Any Commissioners have questions?
Walker Has that kitchen been looked at by the OSHA group and
Health Department and stuff like that as far as size and for its
use, whether or not it's legal to use for commercial?
Morrison Okay, that part of it I don't really know how to answer.
No, we haven't had anybody look at it or anything. As far as the
well and septic I think that has to be taken care of before we
purchase the home. But I still don't foresee any great big
commercial use of the home. You know, like a restaurant where you
have grease traps and all this stuff. I don't think there's going
to be any call or need for that.
Bannock Do you think it would be necessary to obtain a restaurant
permit from the state of Alaska? Have you looked into that?
Because you have to call it something if it's going to be a
business. And although I certainly understand alot of where you
are coming from, I think you will find, I'd like to step up for the
State of Alaska for just one second, and if you are serving food as
a business that's a restaurant. Whether it be an incredibly small,
low-key 10 seated restaurant or whether it be a huge restaurant.
And certainly correct me if I'm wrong, but, I'm real confident
KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - Minutes
Page 7
that the State of Alaska requirements are going to be a little more
stringent than that of a house, a residential house. Do you know
if that would be true or not?
Morrison Okay, we do have DEC approval if that's what your getting
at.
Bannock a DEC approval for .?
Morrison For catering and fine dining.
Bannock Okay. Thank you.
Bryson Other questions?
Morrison Okay, thank you.
No other questions, thank you.
Bryson Are there any other persons who would like to comment?
Julia Selanoff I am Julie Selanoff, 535 Robin Drive. And as my
husband stated we've lived there 22 years. And we've raised four
children in that neighborhood and have been very glad that there
has been no commercial business there. Whether it be low-key or
big-key, I'm glad that there is not. Because, as all kids do, they
play out in the street, and we do get enough traffic from Eagle
River, or Eagle Rock, people accidentally not finding the right
road. We get all kinds of traffic coming down there, making the
turn around and having to go out. And even though it is the first
house on the end of the road, I cannot believe that people will
just come in and go out. They will come down and turn around
because that's just the way people do, do. And we can get alot of
RV's and motorhomes, camper trailers and everything coming down
there as it is, turning around. And I think we have enough
commercial there. And I think when we have residential we need to
keep it as residential not a grey fine line in there. And not put
little commercials in there. And I have been glad that it has been
residential and I would like you to keep it that way and I notice
their address is Schooner Circle. And if I'm not mistaken, we were
kinda driving around down in that area the other day and it's paved
all the way. It's the only house on the little street, is that not
right? No, but, it is paved all the way right?
Bryson Could you address the chairman rather than the other
parties?
Selanoff Okay well anyway our road is not paved. It is just gravel
and I m sure it is not in the planning to black top it. And we get
lots of dust, there's alot of dust from the traffic, just from
those of us that live there. So this is also another reason. But
I was wondering why not keep where they are? It seems to be a
little further out, there's no close neighbors, like there will be
on Robin Drive. Thank you.
Bryson Hal, you have a question?
KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - Minutes
Page 8
Smalley I have question for Julia or maybe even Jimmy. How many of
those lots in that subdivision have residential homes on them? Of
the sixteen lots?
Davidson Most people who have bought lots bought the lot next to
theirs for privacy. We've been kind of selective on the people who
bought lots. We tried to keep it a nice residential place.
Bryson I have a question for Jack on the question that was raised.
Presently, Robin Court is unpaved gravel. The question was raised
about Schooner, are you familiar with that?
La Shot (Inaudible)
Bryson Is Schooner Drive in the City of Kenai?
La Shot I think there's a Schooner Drive over there in VIP.
Bryson Alright, thank you. Are there other persons who have not
testified that would like to speak. Mr. Davidson you had your hand
up, would you like to speak?
Davidson You brought up some questions you know about the house.
And as far as a restaurant the DEC the EPA and OSHA it would take
as far as I know extensive remodeling to where it would be approved
by all the agencies. And the reason I know that is because I built
it. I built it for a single family residence. And I know from my
experience that it would take extensive remodeling and I don't know
if they've gone through those agencies to see what they'd have to
do or not. But there would be a lot of paperwork if you want to be
in that area. And, like I mentioned before, the bathroom
facilities are not adequate for even a reservation only type
restaurant. If they were going to have five or ten or whatever.
But it is not an adequate use for that.
Bryson Alright, thank you. Other persons who wish to testify?
Hearing and seeing none I bring it back to the Commission.
***END VERBATIM***
Bryson informed the Commission and audience that the City had not
been able to get the public hearing notice in the paper seven days
prior to the meeting, as required by ordinance. The public hearing
was continued to the next meeting. All comments from both meetings
will be considered when the Commission takes action on the CUP.
6. PLANNING
a. Resolution PZ 93-18: Gemini Park Atchison Replat
La Shot reported that two lots were being combined for building
purposes.
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KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
May 12, 1993 - Minutes
Page 9
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MOTION AND VOTE:
Walker MOVED to approval Resolution PZ 93-18. Goecke SECONDED.
Walker asked for UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Hearing no discussion MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Resolution PZ 93-19: Quality Subdivision
La Shot The applicant is taking one large lot and splitting it
into two.
MOTION AND VOTE:
Goecke MOVED approval of Resolution PZ 93-19 and asked for
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Bannock SECONDED. Hearing no discussion MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. OLD BUBINEBS
a. Resolution PZ 92-26: Rezone - See (Tabled 10/14/92)
9. CODE ENFORCEMENT ITEMS
a. Quandt Property
La Shot referred to a letter the Planning Department had received
from Mr. Hanke (attached).
Walker asked to address some items in the letter. They are asking
the City to ask the Borough to waive the fee for disposal of
"abandoned vehicles" that are on their property. Walker felt those
were not abandoned vehicles. They brought those vehicles in, he
did not feel the City should ask the Borough to waive any of their
clauses. These people did this as a business, this was a for
profit item.
La Shot Said he had talked to the people at KO Towing and they want
the cars and intend to start hauling them from the site within the
next two weeks. The other option is to make the lessee obtain a
conditional use permit for the wrecking yard. The lessee does not
want a CUP, he wants to get rid of the cars. The cost of removing
and disposing the cars is prohibitive. La Shot suggested waiting
until the next meeting to act on this item, to give time for Staff
to determine if cars are being removed from this site.
10. REPORTS
~ a. City Council
Smalley reported on agenda items including:
o Council had made the decision to offer Tom Manninen from
Michigan the City Manager position.
r
KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
May 12, 1993 - Minutes
Page 10
o The Board of Adjustment hearing on the Jackson encroachment
has been scheduled for May 19th before the Council meeting.
o Council had expressed concerns over the Quandt property, RPM's
and a possible sign violation for Coyle's Landing which had
been placed on the Bridge Access road. Smalley asked La Shot
to look into these items and said the Council is very please
with the work the P & Z Commission and Staff are doing.
b. Borough Planning
Bryson reported that there were no items specific to Kenai. Arco
has obtained the permits to start exploratory drilling in the Inlet
in the next few weeks.
c. City Administration
The City has begun plans to pave the streets in the
Haller/Evergreen area. A rezone for a strip of land along
Evergreen will come to P&Z at their next meeting. The City owns
this land and hopes to develop lots to recoup some of the money the
paving will incur.
11. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED
12. INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Western Planner Conference
13. COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
Bannock asked if the City recognized subdivision covenants that
developers make with their clients?
Bryson Those are only agreements between people who live there.
They would only affect the subdivider if he owned a lot there.
Smalley The City does not enforce covenants.
Walker Noted that there are a number of commercial activities
along the Spur Highway in the area of the proposed CUP. He felt
that the Commission needed to review the possibility of commercial
zoning for properties adjacent to the highway.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 8:30 p.m.
Respe tfully submitted,
orett Ha~~
Administrative Assistant