HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-08-14 Planning & Zoning Minutes - Work SessionPLANKING ~ ZONING WORK SESSION
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AUGUST 14, 2002
8:05 P.M.
NOTES
Commission Members Present: Gaecke, Bryson, Glick, Osborne
Commission Members Absent: Tunseth, Nord
Staff Present: Councilman Bannock, Councilwoman
Swarner (from 8:30-9:00 p.m.), City Planner
Kebschull, Department Assistant Harris
Others Present: Kevin Waring (Kevin Waring Associates) and
Elizabeth Benson (Benson Planning
Associates)
Waring presented the Commission with a draft Land Use-Plan for review. The
following items were discussed:
Land Use:
• Councilman Bannock voiced his concerns regarding the possible
misrepresentation of listed land suitable for Industrial or Commercial zoned
areas. Bannock stated most of land represented for the Commercial zone is
actually marshland and incompatible. Waring stated he would re-evaluate this
issue.
• Regarding the notion of establishing a city center, Waring stated
the area with the most traffic is Bridge Access Road and the Kenai Spur
Highway and could be a good location for city center and Millennium Square.
• Waring and the Commission discussed new development and
passible ways to encourage businesses to utilize existing buildings. The
following ideas were heard:
-- Charge a higher tax for vacant or dilapidated buildings to discourage
abandonment.
-- Bryson stated a reason existing property is not being improved is due
to the current expansion and until the price of property is higher, people will
continue to build new.
-- Developing a need for hotels outside of tourism (conventions, etc) could
encourage property improvement. A study of the tourism and convention
industry should be completed to assess the business potential.
-- Waring suggested a `carrots and sticks' philosophy involving incentives
towards building structures in the desired `town center.'
--Commercial development that is highway oriented should be
aesthetically suitable.
Kenai Airport:
Waring stated the Airport Camrxiission and Airport Manager would be reviewing
development policies for the Kenai Airport. Additionally, Waring will update the
noise exposure map as part of the Comprehensive Plan.
Residential Neighborhoods:
• The Commission discussed establishing landscaping standards
and how to enforce such standards. Waring noted, due to the nature of the
Kenai area being largely rural residential to suburban residential, there has
been no factual basis of the land value being reduced due to inconsistencies in
neighborhood landscaping.
design.
It was suggested new standards for subdivisions be based on
Waring suggested the Commission meet three other times to establish the draft:
September 25~-- Workshop with Commission
October 23~ -- X11 review of draft (Council members possibly invited)
November f 3~-- Public hearing on draft
The work session adjourned at I0:30 P.M.
No es prepared by: `
M, 1
Sh on M. Harris, epartment Assistant
PLANNING 8a ZONING COMMISSION WORK SESSION
AUGUST 14, 2002
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