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Home My WebLink About2026-05-13 Planning & Zoning MinutesKENAI PLANNING, & ZONING COMMISSION— REGULAR MEETING MAY 13, 2026 — 7:00 P.M, KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, ABC 99611 CHAIR KEATON, PRESIDING MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeling of the Kenai Planning & Zoning Commission was held on May 13, 2026, in City Hall Council Chambers, Kenai, AK. Chair Keaton called the meeting to order et approximately 7:00 p.m. 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Keaton led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance_ . Full Call There were present; Sonja EarsIey (remote participation) Gwen Woodard Alex Douthit, Vice Chair Jeanne Keaton. Clair Slacie Krause Diane Fikes Marty Askin (remote partic�pafion) A quorum was present. Also in attendance were: Kevin Buettner, Planning Director Victoria Askin, City Council Liaison Logan Parks, Deputy City Clerk _ ,Agenda and Consent Agenda Approval Chair Keaton noted the following additions to the Packet: Add to item F_i_ Public Comment Property Owner Jon Coats Add to item F.1. Public Comment + Cynthia Shankel MOTION: vice Chair Douthit MOVED to approve the agenda with the requested revisions. Commissioner Woodard SECONDED the motion_ Chair Keaton opened the floor for public comment on consent agenda items: there being no ono vwishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed_ UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. }All items listed with an asterisk (") are considered to be routine and non -controversial by the council and will be approved by one motion_ There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner so requests, in which case the item will the removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda as part of the General Orders. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None. Planflin & 2aMingC4mrrrission pays 1 of d may 13, 7476 C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None_ D, UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT - bone. E. CONSIDERATION OF PLATS - None- F. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1, ,ranting the Appli tion for a Variance Permit to Build Into the 20' Setback Along the North Side of Parcel 04515b _ MOTIION: Vice Chair Douthit MOVED to approve granting the Variance Permit_ Commissioner Woodard SECONDED the motion, Planning Director Buettner, read the staff report as included in the packet. Chair Keaton opened the floor for public corn rneat. Jonathan Coates, the property owner, supported the variance request to build within the setback area and acknowledged concerns regarding children playing clear the roadway and potential sight obstructions; noting existing trees already obstruct visibility within the setback and stating the trees would be removed during nonstruction, with landscaping brought into compliance with City requirements, improving visibility nditions. Nathan Valentine, a Baker Street property owner, expressed concerns regarding increased traffic and the concentration of multi -family dwellings in the area, noting children frequently play nearly and expressing a preference for additional single-family housing, Katie Uei, the realtor involved in the property sale, spoke in support of the variance request, stating the property was zoned for multi -family development to address housing needs; noting existing trees already obstruct views closer to the roadway than the proposed buildings, and stating the project complies with City requirements and safety standards while supporting additional horsing opportunities in the community. There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. There was Commission discussion in support of the variance, noting the proposal would imprc)ve traffic flow and visibility by removing existing trees and limiting drivewvay access, wvhHe supporting needed multi- family housing development consistent with existing zoning and surrounding land uses_ VOTE: YEA: Keaton, Krause, Fikes, Woodard, Douthit NAY: None ABSENT; None ABSTAINED: Asking Earsley MOTION PASSED. Chair i eaion noted the 15-day appeal period- G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None- H. NEW BUSINESS 1. Action/Approval - Subdivision Regulations MOTION: Planning & zoning Oxwnission Page 2 04 4 May 13. 2026 Commissioner Woodard MOVED to recommend Council approval of the Subdivision Regulations amendments within Ordinance No. 3520- 02 . Mice Chair Douthit SECONDED the motion_ Planning Director Buettner read the staff report as included in the packet. Chair Keaton opened the floor for public comment, there being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was Closed. There was Commission discussion in support of the regulations, noting the proposed road standards manual would improve efficiency, provide greater flexibility for updates, and better align City standards with current development practices and Borough standards, Staff provided clarification regarding fragment lots, covenants and restrictions, and the treatment of nonconforming properties under future code changes_ VOTE: YEA: Askin, Earsley, Krause, Fikes, Woodard, Douthit, Keaton NAY: None MOTION APPROVED, REPORTS 1. Planning Director Planning Director Buettner reported on the following: • The distinction between adjudicative sessions. which are appropriate For matters such as variances and Conditional Use Permits, and discussions where the Commission is acting in an advisery capacity to Council_ • Explained the item will return at the next meeting for an additional Public Hearing to ensure the discussion occurs in an open public setting_ 2, Commission Chair - No report_ 3. Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commissioner Fikes reported on recent actions of the Ienia Peninsula Borough Planning Commission_ 4, City Council Liaison Vice Mayor Askin reported on recent actions of the City Council, J. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT -None, K. NEXT MEETING ATTGNQANCE NOTIFICATION 1. Next Meeting= May 27, 2026 L. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commissioner Fikes clarified a street name from her Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission report- M. PENDING ITEMS - None, N. ADJOURNMENT O. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - Nome_ Planning & Zoning Commission Page 3 of 4 May 13. M6 There being no further business before the Ranning & Zoning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m, the above r,prese�ts accurate minutes of the Kenaii City Ccunch meeting of May 13. 20 26. n Pe rkO, Deputy City Clerk Planning a Zoning Commission Page 4 of d May 13, 2026