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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-23 Planning & Zoning MinutesKENAI PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 - 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611 VICE CHAIR DOUTHIT, PRESIDING MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Kenai Planning & Zoning Commission was held on September 23, 2026, in City Hall Council Chambers, Kenai, AK. Chair Keaton called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. 1. Pledge of Allegiance Vice Chair Douthit led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Roll Call There were present: Alex Douthit, Vice Chair Stacie Krause Marty Askin A quorum was present. Absent: Sonja Earsley Also in attendance were: Kevin Buettner, Planning Director Phil Daniel, City Council Liaison Logan Parks, Deputy City Clerk Gwen Woodard Diane Fikes Jeanne Keaton, Chair 3. Agenda and Consent Agenda Approval Vice Chair Douthit noted the following additions to the Packet: Add to item F.2. Public Comment MOTION: Commissioner Woodard MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda with the requested revisions. Commissioner Askin SECONDED the motion. The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record. Vice Chair Douthit opened the floor for public comment on consent agenda items; there being no one wishing 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 be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda as part of the General Orders. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. *Regular Meeting of August 26, 2026. Planning & Zoning Commission Page 1 of 6 September 23, 2026 C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. E. CONSIDERATION OF PLATS 1. Resolution PZ2026-30 - Recommending that Preliminary Plat Micah Subdivision Parks Replat be Approved. MOTION: Commissioner Askin MOVED to approve Resolution PZ2026-30. Commissioner Woodard SECONDED the motion. Planning Director Buettner read the staff report as included in the packet and attached to Resolution PZ2026-30. Vice Chair Douthit opened the floor for public comment. Zachary Rininger, applicant, spoke in support of the replat request, noting a contractor estimate for required road improvements and maps illustrated potential impacts to existing vegetation, privacy buffers, and access to surrounding lots. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. There was Commission discussion regarding existing and proposed portions of Rainbow Drive and Misty Haven; current City maintenance limits; pioneer road development standards and maintenance; potential drainage and culvert requirements associated with future road development; access to the property; the scope of the proposed vacation and associated road requirements; issuance of the building permit; the previous replat; the timing and applicability of updated road standards; potential hardship associated with requiring construction of portions of Rainbow Drive and Misty Haven and existing and future access to surrounding properties. Clerk's Note: A five minute at -ease was taken to determine appropriate wording for an amendment. Vice Chair Douthit MOVED to amend Resolution PZ2026-30 as follows: Section 1, add a new fifth condition that reads, "Add Plat Note: Lot 155A will be subject to assessment for any improvements required by Kenai Municipal Code 14.10.080(q)(1) when installed at a future time by the City for the installation of Rainbow Drive and Misty Haven Lane." Commissioner Askin SECONDED the motion. There was Commission Discussion regarding making amendments to KMC 14.10.090 to allow for consideration of City actions causing unjust conditions mid application. Staff noted they would review this issue and return to the Commission at a future meeting with recommendations. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion to amend. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: YEA: Askin, Krause, Fikes, Woodard, Douthit NAY: None ABSENT: Earsley, Keaton MAIN MOTION PASSED AS AMENDED. Planning & Zoning Commission Page 2 of 6 September 23, 2026 2. Resolution PZ2026-31 - Recommending that Preliminary Plat Enders Subdivision 2027 Replat be Approved. MOTION: Commissioner Askin MOVED to approve Resolution PZ2026-31. Commissioner Woodard SECONDED the motion. Planning Director Buettner read the staff report as included in the packet and attached to Resolution PZ2026-31. Vice Chair Douthit opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Resolution PZ2026-28 - Granting the Application for a Variance Permit to Build into the Ten -Foot (10') Setback Along the North Side of Parcel 04510014 Located at 503 Candlelight Drive. MOTION: Commissioner Askin MOVED to approve Resolution PZ2026-28. Commissioner Woodard SECONDED the motion. Planning Director Buettner read the staff report as included in the packet and attached to Resolution PZ2026-28. Vice Chair Douthit opened the floor for public comment. Jesse Updike, applicant, made himself available to answer questions from the Commission. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. There was Commission discussion regarding the proposed building design; roof height and slope; setbacks; potential impacts to the adjacent commercial property and utilities; neighboring property owner notification; and site plan requirements. VOTE: YEA: Krause, Fikes, Woodard, Douthit, Askin NAY: None ABSENT: Keaton, Earsley MOTION PASSED. Vice Chair Douthit noted the 15 -day appeal period. 2. Resolution PZ2026-29 - Granting a Conditional Use Permit for the Operation of a Non - Commercial Recreational Vehicle Park and Campground at 1518 Tundra Rose Lane. MOTION: Commissioner Askin MOVED to approve Resolution PZ2026-29. Commissioner Woodard SECONDED the motion. Planning Director Buettner read the staff report as included in the packet and attached to Resolution PZ2026-29. Vice Chair Douthit opened the floor for public comment Planning & Zoning Commission Page 3 of 6 September 23, 2026 Nicole and David Smith, applicants, spoke in support of their application, addressing traffic; seasonal use; compatibility with surrounding properties; consistency with the Comprehensive Plan; future development of the property; and the recommended conditions of the approval. There was Commission discussion regarding RV occupancy and length -of -stay requirements; requirements for RV parks and campgrounds; plans for installation of electric, well, and septic utilities; seasonal use and storage of the RVs; and applicable building permit and site development requirements. Ron and Ginger Pitts, neighbors, spoke in opposition of the Conditional Use Permit, noting concerns regarding compatibility with the residential character of the neighborhood; increased traffic; noise; lighting; trash; activity; impacts to Tundra Rose Lane; consistency with the Comprehensive Plan; and the proposed site layout and intensity of use. Ken Corbett, neighbor, spoke in opposition to the Conditional Use Permit, citing concerns regarding compatibility with the residential neighborhood; increased occupancy and traffic; consistency with the Comprehensive Plan; water, sanitation, and utility needs associated with the proposed use. Chris Garcia spoke in support of the Conditional Use Permit, noting the proposed seasonal use, planned site improvements and utilities, and similar RV use on nearby properties. Barbara Lichner-Brew spoke in opposition to the Conditional Use Permit, noting concerns regarding the compatibility of an RV park and campground with the residential character of the neighborhood and potential long-term impacts to surrounding properties. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. Staff clarified that a change from the proposed non-commercial use to a commercial use permit would require additional Commission review; while construction of a single-family residence would not require modification of the conditional use permit. VOTE: YEA: Krause NAY: Fikes, Woodard, Douthit, Askin ABSENT: Keaton, Earsley MOTION FAILED. Vice Chair Douthit noted the 15 -day appeal period. G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None. H. NEW BUSINESS 1. *Action/Approval - Home Occupation Permit for a Home -Based Food Business Specializing in Baked Goods and Confections that will be Prepared, Packaged, and Stored Inside the Family Residence at 207 Linwood Lane. Approved by the consent agenda. 2. Discussion - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions to Intervene, and Competing Application. Planning Director Buettner summarized the memo as included in the packet. There was discussion regarding the proposed location and design; potential impacts to the regional power grid; the regulatory process; and the City's potential in future proceedings. 3. Action/Approval - Request for Inclusion of Comprehensive Plan Project into FY2028-2032 of Kenai Capital Improvement Plan Planning & Zoning Commission Page 4 of 6 September 23, 2026 MOTION: Commissioner Askin MOVED to request inclusion of the Comprehensive Plan Project into the Kenai Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner Woodard SECONDED the motion. Planning Director Buettner read the staff report as included in the packet UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. 4. Action/Approval - Rescheduling End of Year Meeting MOTION: Commissioner Woodard MOVED to reschedule the end of year meeting to December 15, 2026. Commissioner Askin SECONDED the motion. Planning Director Buettner read the staff report as included in the packet. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. I. REPORTS 1. Planning Director Planning Director Buettner reported on the following: • The quarterly code enforcement report. 2. Commission Chair - No report. 3. Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commissioner Fikes reported on recent actions of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission. 4. City Council Liaison Council Member Daniel reported on recent actions of the City Council. J. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. K. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION 1. Next Meeting: October 14, 2026 L. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commissioner Askin noted the cooler temperatures. Vice Chair Douthit noted Jersey Subs moved into the airport cafe and expanded their menu. M. PENDING ITEMS - None. N. ADJOURNMENT O. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None. There being no further business before the Planning & Zoning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m. I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Kenai Planning & Zoning Commission meeting of September 23, 2026. Planning & Zoning Commission Page 5 of 6 September 23, 2026 o n Par s Deput City Clerk Planning & Zoning Commission Page 6 of 6 September 23, 2026