HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-22 Planning & Zoning Packet - Work SessionFebruary 22,2012
6:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Imagine Kenai 2030 -
Comp Plan brc&ft
THIS DRAFT REPORT WILL BE
USES FOR ALL FUTURE WORK
SESSIONS - 50 MAKE SURE TO
BRING IT TO ALL MEETINGS!!!I
the citycf
KENAI ALASKA
MEMO:
'ffa e with a Past, CGi with a Future"
9 '
210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794
Telephone: 907 -283 -7535 / FAX: 907 - 283 -3014 tIR
1992
TO: Planning & Zoning Commission
FROM: Nancy Carver, Planning Assistant
DATE: February 16, 2012
SUBJECT: Imagine Kenai 2030 — Background Report
Attached are the changes made to the draft background report from the
February 8th work session. Prior to the February 22nd work session, you need to review
the changes. If there are questions or additional changes that need to be made, we can
do them quickly so we can proceed onto the next Chapter section.
You will find some areas highlighted in yellow. These areas need clarification or
completion. As you review the document, look for typographical errors, spelling errors,
sentence structure, etc. The draft has been reviewed by administration but we need
help.
It is anticipated that this review will take several work sessions. The Commission will
work through the document as time permits in the allotted hour and will continue to
schedule work sessions until we have completed the review. If you have questions,
don't hesitate to contact me.
REMEMBER!!!!
Bring your original draft report to continue review of the plan
beginning at 2.3 — Context for Planning
The February 8, 2012 Work Session Packet is the complete draft
background report prior to any work session changes.
CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
2012
Imagine Kenai 2030
City of Kenai Comprehensive Plan Revision
Table of Contents
February 1, 2012 (Planning Commission Draft - Amended 2- 16 -12)
Note: "Track changes" feature shows changes to February 1 Draft
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
1.1 Purpose of Comprehensive Planning 2
1.2 Goals of the Plan 2
1.3 How to Use this Plan 43
Chapter 2: City of Kenai 5
2.1 Powers of the City 5
2.2 Planning and Zoning Commission g
2.3 Context for Planning 76
Chapter 3: Native Community 10
Chapter 4: Background Information 12
4.1 Settlement History 12
4.2 Setting 14
4.2.1 Climate and Environment 14
4.2.2 Natural Hazards 15
4.3 Population, Education and Housing 17
4.3.1 Population 17
4.3.2 Education 19
4.3.3 Housing 20
4.4 Economy 21
4.4.1 Employment and Income 22
4.4.2 Business Indicators 24
4.4.3 Oil and Gas Industry 25
4.4.4 Commercial Fisheries and Seafood Processing 26
4.4.5 Visitor Industry 27
4.5 Public Facilities and Services 28
Planning Commission Draft - February 2012
CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
2012
4.5.1 Water and Sewer Systems 28
4.5.2 Public Safety 28
4.5.3 Transportation 29
4.5.4 Parks and Recreation 30
4.5.5 Senior Citizen Facilities and Services 32
4.5.6 Kenai Community Library 33
4.5.7 Other Services 34
4.6 City of Kenai Finances 34
4.6.1 Expenditures 34
4.6.2 Revenues 35
4.7 Forecast of Economy, Population and Housing Demand 35
Chapter 5: Land Use Plan 38
5.1 Land Use Maps and Classifications 38
5.2 Zoning Status 40
5.3 Existing Land Use and Ownership Patterns 41
5.3.1 Land Ownership 42
5.3.2 Suitability for Development 42
5.3.3 City Center 43
5.3.4 Kenai Townsite Historic District 43
5.3.5 Residential Neighborhoods 44
5.3.6 Commercial Land Use 45
5.3.7 Industrial Land Use 45
5.3.8 Open Space and Habitats 46
Chapter 6: Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Plan Implementation 48
References 49
Appendix A: Public Participation Plan
Appendix B: Economic Indicators
Map 1: Location Map
Map 2: City of Kenai Water System 2012
Map 3: City of Kenai Sewer System 2012
Map 4: City of Kenai Maintained Roads 2012
Planning Commission Draft - February 2012 - Amended 2 -16 -12 ii
CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
Map 5: City of Kenai Land Use Plan
Map 6: City of Kenai Existing Zoning 2012
Map 7: City of Kenai Aerial Photograph
Map 8: Wetlands and Floodplains 2012
Map 9: City of Kenai Existing Land Use 2012
Map 10: City of Kenai Land Ownership 2012
Nanning Commission Draft - February 2012 - Amended 2 -16 -12 iii
CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
2012
Acknowledgements
Kenai City Council
Pat Porter, Mayor Ryan Marquis, Vice Mayor
Robert Molloy Tim Navarre
Brian Gabriel Terry Bookey
Mike Boyle Joe Moore*
Hannah Coffman (Student Representative)* Austin Daly (Student Representative)
City Administration
Rick Koch, City Manager
Christine Cunningham, Assistant to the City Manager
Marilyn Kebschull, Planning Administrator
Nancy Carver, Planning and Zoning Assistant
Corene Hall, Deputy City Clerk
Krista Stearns, City Attorney
Sean Wedemeyer, Manager Capital Projects, Public Works Director
Terry Eubank, Finance Director
Gus Sandahl, Chief, Police Department
Mike Tilly, Chief, Fire Department
Mary Bondurant, Airport Manager
Mary Jo Joiner, Kenai Community Library
Rachel Craig, Kenai Senior Center
Bob Frates, Parks and Recreation Director
Kevin Lyon, Manager Capital Projects, Public Works Director*
Consultants
Glenn Gray & Associates Bechtol Planning & Development
Planning and Zoning Commission
Jeff Twait. Chair Henry Knackstedt, Vice Chair
Clifford Smith
Karen Koester
Scott Romain*
Phil Bryson
Kurt Rogers*
Kenneth Peterson
James Rowell
Tim Navarre*
Citizens of Kenai
The contribution of Kenai citizens who provided input to this plan at public meetings, by
completing surveys and by submitting comments is gratefully acknowledged.
Copies Available from:
City of Kenai Planning Administration, 210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, AK 99611 -7794 Phone:
(907) 283 -8235 Online: http: / /www.ci.kenai.ak.us /plan zone.html
Dr. Alan Boraas
*Former council members, commission members and staff
Planning Commission Draft - February 2012 - Amended 2 -16 -12 iv
CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN 2012
Chapter 1: Introduction
The City of Kenai Comprehensive Plan, revised in 2011 -2012, updates the 2003 plan. The
Comprehensive Plan guides development in the community and provides important information
about the population, environment, economy, transportation, and land use.
The City of Kenai1 is located within
the Kenai Peninsula Borough in the
weeast side of the Kenai Peninsula
(Map 1). The City shares planning
functions with the Borough. While the
Borough retains authority for ultimate
planning powers, it has delegated
authority to the City of Kcnai to adopt
land use plans and to enact and
enforce zoning and land use
regulations. Zoning involves
designation of different types of land
use districts that govern how land
can be used. The comprehensive
plan must be adopted by both the
City of Kenai and the Kenai
Peninsula Borough. The Kenai
Peninsula Borough retainsed platting
authority and record keeping, which
includes approval of plats that
indicate the location, boundaries and
ownership of individual properties.
Map 1. Location Map, City of Kenai, 2003
vacation pctitions.
Throughout the plan, the City of Kenai is referred to as Kenai or the City.
Planning Commission Draft - February 2012
CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
The remainder of this introduction explains the purpose of comprehensive planning followed by
a description of how the Comprehensive Plan is organized.
Kenai's Community Identity
The City of Kenai's name and city logo signify a unique and distinctive community with
Dena'ina and Russian roots, world -class recreational fishing, offshore energy resources, and
spectacular mountain vistas. Kenai earned status as an All- America City in 1992 and 2011.
Kenai's motto — "Village with a past — City with a future " — affirms the community's
appreciation for its colorful history and its ambitions for tomorrow. Logo will be added
1.1 Purpose of Comprehensive Planning
The Comprehensive Plan provides a general guide for land use decisions in the City of Kenai.
Extensive public participation helped shape the plan to reflect the vision and direction of the
community's residents (see Appendix A). The Comprehensive Plan provides a vision for the
future, and it provides the legal basis for zoning, land use regulations, permitting, and all land
use decisions made by the City.
The introductory and background sections of the plan provide information relevant for managing
land uses in the community. This information describes the current situation with — regardinj s to
population, economic and land use trends.
Zoning and land use regulations that implement the Comprehensive Plan apply to most
government and private land within the City. Uses within Native allotments, however, are not
subject to zoning and land use regulations. State of Alaska statutes require state agencies to
"comply with local planning and zoning ordinances and other regulations in the same manner
and to the same extent as other landowners" unless the governor gives a specific waiver (AS
35.30.020 - .030). Regarding federal lands, local planning and zoning ordinances may apply
unless specifically preempted. Chapter 2 provides more details about the Planning and Zoning
Commission and the context for planning.
1.2 Goals of the Plan
This section presents the 8,7 general goals of the plan that implement the community's vision of
how it will look in the future. Chapter 6 includes more information for each goal, including an
issue statement and the related objectives and strategies. Goals are broad statements that
describe long -term desired outcomes. Objectives provide more specific information of what can
Planning Commission Draft - February 2012 - Amended 2 -16 -12 2
CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
be done to achieve a goal, and strategies describe specific steps that will be taken to reach an
objective.
Goal 1 - Quality of Life: Kenai will strive to be a healthy community that provides for
the emotional, physical, economic and spiritual well being of all of its citizens, promotes
the health and well -being for all age groups, provides opportunities for lifelong learning,
and encourages arts and cultural activities.
Goal 2 - Economic Development: Kenai will secure economic vitality by being a
community that has a wide variety of job opportunities and workforce support and
development; by providing a quality of life and financial climate that encourages
businesses to start up, expand or relocate to Kenai and by providing a built environment
based on standards that sustain long -term economic viability and growth and that
promotes affordable residential and commercial development.
Goal 3 - Land Use: Kenai implements a forward - looking approach to community growth
and development. /Note: Need to explain how this will be done)
Goal 4 - Public Improvements and Services: Kenai encourages public involvement in
decision making; has well - planned public and institutional facilities that meet the health,
education, governmental and social service needs of all citizens; has an integrated
efficient and cost - effective network of utilities and public improvements and is a
community where the public feels safe.
Goal 5 - Transportation: Kenai Municipal Airport will continue as a gateway to the
Kenai Peninsula and West Cook Inlet; the roads will be designed, constructed -and
maintained for year -round use, and the harbor will function as a vital facility for
commercial and sport fishing industries.
Goal 6 - Parks and Recreation: The City of Kenai Parks and Recreationrneat's
goal is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens through parks, facilities, programs,
and community services.
Goal 7 - Natural Hazards and Disasters: This goal is to
establish coordinated and proactive public policies, emergency plans and procedures,
and educational programs that minimize the risk to the community from natural hazards
and disasters
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,Goal 8 - Environmental Resources:; Kenai will practice and- mindful stewardship of the - {Formatted: Font: Bold
environmental resources to ensure that they are protected and enhanced for their
viability and values in perpetuity.
Planning Commission Draft - February 2012 - Amended 2 -16 -12 3
CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
1.3 How to Use this Plan
This plan provides a guide for implementation of the City of Kenai's planning and zoning
responsibilities and its role in improving the quality of life for its citizens. Flexibility in
implementation of the plan is necessary to take advantage of new opportunities and unforeseen
circumstances.
While this plan contains a wealth of information, it ismay not-be necessary to read the plan from
front to back. Instead, readers may wish to focus on those sections of the plan that meet their
interest. Chapters 1 - 5 provide introductory material and a context for the goals, objectives and
strategies, which are included in Chapter 6 along with a discussion of how the plan will be
implemented. The references at the end of the plan identify studies, reports and other sources
of information, and the appendices provide useful additional information. The chapters of the
plan and appendices are organized as follows:
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: City of Kenai
• Chapter 3: Native Community
• Chapter 4: Background Information
• Chapter 5: Land Use Plan
• Chapter 6: Goals, Objectives, and Plan Implementation
• References
• Appendix A: Public Participation Process
• Appendix B: Economic Indicators
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CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
Chapter 2: City of Kenai
The City of Kenai is located at the mouth of the Kenai
River on the west central eastern coast of the Kenai
Peninsula. Kenai incorporated as a home rule city in
1960, and it became part of the Kenai Peninsula
Borough when the Borough incorporated in 1964.
Under its charter The City of Kenai has aadopted the
council- manager form of government in 1963 and has
been operating under this form since that timewheFe.
tThe City Manager provides day -to -day management
fleetiees with direction from the City Council. The
.,,, ,, emover elected Council, which consists of the
Mayor and includes six council members. is sleeted at
large and on a non - partisan basis. and the mayor. A Kenai Central #High seheel- student al-se
cits on the Councilserves in an advisory capacity and casts an advisory vote.
City of Kenai Mission
Statement:
To serve the citizens of
Kenai through listening and
leading: to promote growth and
continually improve services by
balancing the wishes of the
community with responsible
management
In addition to the City Manager's office, other departments include Finance, Legal, Clerk, Public
Works, Airport, Police, Fire, Animal Control, Parks and Recreation, Library, Senior Services,
and Planning.
The remainder of this section provides information on city powers, the Planning and Zoning
Commission, and the context for planning. Section 4.75 provides detailed
information about oCity facilities and services.
2.1 Powers of the City
As a home -rule city, the City of Kenai may exercise all legislative powers not prohibited by law
or by charter as provided by Title 29 of the Alaska statutes. Besause-tThe city is located within
the Kenai Peninsula Borough, andhowevcr, the Borough retains certain powers. The City of
Kenai provides a variety of - services to its
residents, including road construction and maintenance, port and harbor facilities, police and fire
protection, emergency medical services, water and sewer and water utilities, airport, parks and
recreation, library, senior services, and animal control.
While the Kenai Peninsula Borough retains ultimate authority for zoning and land use, it has
delegated to the City of Kenai the authority to enact and enforce zoning and land use
regulations and to adopt a comprehensive plan. The Borough must also adopt the
comprehensive plan, and it retains ultimate platting authority (i.e., the approval of land
subdivisions) after review by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Planning Commission Draft - February 2012 - Amended 2 -16 -12 5
CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
2.2 Planning and Zoning Commission
The Kcnai Peninsula Borough has
Planning and Zoning Commi"sion. Didn't
we just say this in 2.1? The most
important duties of the Planning and
Zoning Commission are to:
•-- Approve /disapprove various permit
applications;
requests for variance pormits (i.e.,
exceptions to rcquiremonts),
• Interpret the Kenai Zoning Code
and make decisions,
• Review the sCity's Comprehensive
Plan annually, and
• Propose plans for rehabilitation or
redevelopment of areas within the
eCity.
The Commission advises the City Council
on:
• - aAmendments to the Zoning
Code and Map;;
• pPetitions for lease or sale of city
and airport land;, and
• sCapital improvements
aFilffRifig•
The Commission advises the Kenai
Peninsula Borough Planning Commission
on:
• - Pproposed subdivision plats,;
• $Petitions for right -of -way and
easement vacations., and
• City of Kenai Comprehensive Plan
amendments.
2012
,KMC14.05.010 Duties and Powers:
a The Commission shall be re.uired to .erform the
following duties:
(1) Review and act upon requests for variance
permits, conditional use permits, planned unit residential
development permits, and other matters requiring
consideration under the Kenai Zoning Code.
(2) Interpret the provisions of the Kenai Zoning
code and make determinations when requested by the
Administrative Official.
(3) Review the City of Kenai Comprehensive Plan
on an annual basis and conduct a minimum of one
public hearing. Said recommendations shall be
forwarded to the Council for consideration.
(4) Promote public interest and understanding of
comprehensive planning, platting, zoning, land
management. and other issues relating to community
planning and development.
(5) Propose plans for the rehabilitation or
redevelopment and any area or district within the City.
(6) Perform historic preservation reviews and
duties as set forth in KMC 14.20.105.
lb) The Commission shall act in an advisory
capacity to the Kenai City Council regarding the
following matters:
(1) Kenai Zoning Code and Official City of
Kenai Zoning Map amendments.
(2) City and airport land lease or sale
petitions.
(3) Capital Improvements Programming.
The Commission shall submit annually to the Council a
list of recommended capital improvements which. in the
opinion of the Commission, are necessary and desirable
to be constructed during the forthcoming three -year
period. Such list shall be arranged in order of
preference with recommendations as to which projects
shall be constructed in which year.
jc) The Commission shall act in an advisory
capacity to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning
Commission regarding the following matters:
(1) Subdivision Plat proposals.
(2) Right -of -way and easement vacation
petitions.
(3) City of Kenai Comprehensive Plan
amendments.
Planning Commission Draft - February 2012 - Amended 2 -16 -12
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CITY OF KENAI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ` 2012
YOUR CITY, YOUR PLAN
City staff supports the Planning and Zoning Commission by providing services in the areas of
planning, zoning, historic preservation, code enforcement, and geographic information services
(GIS)-Fnaiapttig. Staff also acts as staff-liaison for the Planning and Zoning Commission.End of
218112 work session review.
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