Planning and Zoning Commission - Regular Meeting

I'd to call this meeting of the Valdes Planning and Zoning Commission for Wednesday, September 24 to order. Let the record show that all commissioners are present with the exception of commissioner Wade. We have commissioners Molten and Bidus on the phone. Approval of minutes. Does anyone have any comments on the minutes from meeting of June 2023?

I have it looked fine to to to me, but I wasn't at that one. So

Right. Yeah. That's a Quite a ways back. We're catching up quickly. Alright. Seeing no objections, that one is approved. How about the, meeting of May 24, same year, 2023? Yeah. I've

read it. They do look good to me.

I had, one change I'd like to point out, and that's the discussion during the public hearing. It it said that there were questions about possible storage on those lots. That was, Harold Blum. I went back and watched the video today, not myself. And then it says expressed concerns about, and I didn't express any concerns. I asked questions. I think it's important that during the public hearing, we were not discussing it. We were just questioning asking questions.

That's a good point.

So I went back and watched through the video. I would not recommend it. It's very awkward watching myself. Yeah. I I felt kinda silly.

And then

We will we will make those corrections.

That's under, item four one. And then under item five one under the discussion, commissioner member Goodrow echoed concerns brought up during the public hearing. I would change that to expressed concerns, and then just drop the part about the public hearing just for clarity. Other than that, everything looks good, and I am so glad to see these things getting caught up. Thank you.

Great. Make those changes.

Alright. Well, I

think the

I don't know if you wanna put because it was originally approved for a thousand square feet and went down to seven fifty is what I remember.

Wasn't that Yeah.

For those trifecta size

of the

trifecta is just was dandy. So I don't know if that needs to be in there or not. Because but that was the factual part of it.

I remember. I remember that too. Yeah.

They were scheduled for a thousand. Because when you say when you just say abroad, about the size of them, it's it's more that they were they were moved at 1,000 and then changed to seven fifty. Yes. If that would be more of just factual.

Yep. Is that clear enough for you guys?

I believe so. But just because the changes are more in-depth, I propose that we bring back another draft

Okay.

After edited just for a final approval.

That would be fine.

A little

a little more complex than just a simple correction.

Yep. Alright. Moving on to public hearing number one. It's a public hearing for the proposed rezone of 1001 Airport Road Track C one ASLS 79 dash one one six flat 2,002 dash 13 from public to heavy industrial HI. We have nobody in the public, so we will close the public hearing and move on to new business. Item number one, approval of final plat for Spruce Tree Subdivision, a subdivision of Lot 2 Track 3 USS Survey Number 3538, plat number two thousand three dash seven, creating Lots 2 A, 2 B, And 2 C Spruce Tree Subdivision. I don't get a motion on that. That's a good one. You got a motion

from me. I'll second.

Been moved by commissioner Goodreau and seconded by commissioner. Any comments? Any online, any comments or discussion on that one?

No. I have nothing.

Alright.

Yeah. The only I guess I do have a comment, but it's not much. I went down there and looked at that, Skidder Street and all of that. There's a lot of work that needs to be done there before. But what we're looking at here, there's no issue whatsoever.

Yes. This one looks pretty straightforward. Mhmm. And I just for the record, I agree with everything on the what was put forth by staff. It's great. Their width is greater than what's minimum. It's lot dimensions are greater than the minimum. So I I agree with staff on this. It should be approved. With that, we'll go ahead and vote.

And your name is spelled correctly.

Chairperson? Thank

you. Oh, it looks like

Oh, yes.

Go ahead, Chris. Commissioner Bolton.

Just to reiterate, you know, a member sitting on council, and we talked about other parcels that are on septic and then on city water. And I know it says it in there, but just to reiterate, these lots will be required to hook up to city water and will be required to furnish their own, septic systems. Correct?

Yes. Thank you for pointing that out. Any other comments, questions? Alright. Go ahead and call the roll, please.

Okay. I'll, let's see. All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Those opposed, please say nay. With that, we have six yeas. Commissioner Wade absent. Motion carries.

Thank you. New business item number two, approval of a recommendation to city council to authorize the rezone of 1001 Airport Road, Track C Dash 1, A S L S 70 9 Dash 1 16, Flat 2002 Dash 13, heavy industrial. You got a motion on that one?

A motion?

A second.

Alright. Second.

Moved by commissioner Goodreau, seconded by commissioner Ratatich in. Any comments?

Going yeah. This is Steve. I the only talk about the benefits of rezoning. It's a rezoning to heavy industrial will enhance operational efficiency, colocating critical components, crush plant, and all of that. So, basically, what they're talking about then from this is they're gonna be moving a lot of material that's in the yard or hairs now out to that facility? If I A batch plant, cement plant.

I can I can provide a little bit of context? Go ahead. The the applicant, is appears not here tonight to speak, so I from my conversations with the applicant, I can explain. So the the existing gravel pit that's been there for over twenty years operated by Harris sand and gravel is, covers two different parcels in that area. So if you look at, the current either the current zoning or the future land, any of the maps that are attached in the packet, the the northern part of the site is currently zoned public lands.

The southern part of the site is already zoned heavy industrial. And so with Connect Construction taking over the site, they desire to, you know, continue operations at the northern part of the site that are already existing, but also to bring in a new asphalt batch plant, and place it on the northern portion. That is there's some benefits to how their operation is going to work to be able to have some of those uses on the northern portion that aren't allowed in the public land zoning district. So that use in particular is conditional in the heavy industrial district. So this application for a rezone is really just their first step.

You know, I wanna be clear about that. This is just looking at a recommendation to rezone the property, and then they'll be required to apply for additional permits to actually move forward with that use since it's a conditional use. And then if you look at the future land use map and the comprehensive plan, when we when we did the update for the comp plan, we really looked carefully at this Airport Road area because it's an area that is used for both a lot of industrial activity and for recreation, and it has both zoning districts already there. And so we did have conversations and heard public comment about the mix of those uses in that area and ultimately decided in the future land use map to keep the heavy industrial place type South Of Airport Road and focus on recreation North Of Airport Road. Obviously, there's some existing industrial uses up there that can continue.

But when we're looking at rezone decisions, we're looking at that future land use map for that guiding vision of what the future of the area is. And so when staff took this application and did a review and a report, this rezone change fits with the vision in the comprehensive plan and that future or that place type on the future land use map.

Thank you.

That makes sense. Yeah. Thank you.

It's the only heartburn I had with it is that the owner of the property didn't make the request. But since it is the city and the city made the recommendation, I can overlook that. Normally, I wouldn't want somebody else to be rezoning their neighbor's property or or even property that they're leasing. I want that property owner to bring forth the request. But I'll overlook that, and I'm in favor of this for for what you said.

The adjacent land is already heavy industrial, so that that speaks in its favor. It's big enough to have been done even by itself, but it I like to see it contiguous. And because it's part of the industrial hub in the comp plan, and I've seen that the roads are suitable for the extra use of heavy industrial and because it's a historic use of this land already. So those are all reasons that I'm in favor of this. Is there any discussion online, either of you?

No. Just a quick question, Kate. So the conditional use that's cited in the document the supporting document, like, it just says it's anticipated that Connect Construction will submit conditional use permit. So the the new after this is rezoned, the conditional use permit is for extraction. Correct?

Nope. The the conditional use permit that they would be looking at would be for the asphalt batch plant, because that's a conditional use in the heavy industrial district. And as far as their plan is now in the spring, they would like to potentially bring in a batch plant to put at that site. So from my conversations with them, that is the application that's likely going to come forward if if they can

So this this rezone would they would not need a conditional use for material extraction if it's rezoned.

Correct.

Okay. I think I just read that wrong. K.

There's Just oh, go ahead. Just There's already an asphalt plant on those that property. They're just bringing

a different kind. Is that what you're saying, Kate?

If there was an existing batch plant on the property, it it either has been or will be removed in the transition of the sale. I believe it's already been removed, but I haven't been on-site. So it's just that they would bring in a new Mhmm. Batch plant to the property. And and so it it came to light through this whole process, you know, what permits were existing, what need to be transferred, and that's one that they would need to secure.

I have a a question for you. Is is this the same property that granite that there's on it we gave them conditional use for, or was that the one behind it just a couple months ago?

You know, I don't remember off the top of my head, and I don't want to speak out of turn. I would have to look and verify that. In that case, it the temporary land use permit can serve as a, temporary zoning authorization Okay. For uses not allowed in the district. So if if that was the case, it would have been serving in both capacities as a permit to use city land and for the use itself.

Okay. Great. And then back to commissioner Bolton's question.

I

was wondering is do they need to change it for a gravel extraction? I mean, couldn't they already do that in public lands, I believe?

Yes. Yes. Gravel extraction is allowed in public lands, but the asphalt batch plant isn't. So I'm just confirming the other part of commissioner Moulton's question to make sure that, gravel extraction is doesn't require conditional use permits. It'll just take me one second to pull that up. Great.

Yeah. What I asked her from page two of the 25 dash zero three document says, it is anticipated that Connect Construction will also submit a conditional use permit application for material resource extraction on the subject property.

Sorry. They just changed. We have a new code format.

I would probably stand with the staff report then. What I'm wondering is, in the case of conditional use permits, they sometimes stay with the property and sometimes were specific to an owner. And so, because the staff report lays that out, I would guess that our senior planner, Bruce Wall, is correct in that, and they will be coming forward with a conditional use permit for both the asphalt plant and extraction. But I just wanna verify that for you. But the bottom line I will say is that what's before you tonight is simply the rezone, and any permits that are required for the existing or continued operation will be Connect's next step.

So the commission is going to see a number of items come through from Connect Construction, including the the conditional use permit application as well as, some additional lease applications, with the city.

Alright. Thank you. Any other questions or comments on this one?

One quick question. Generally speaking, Kate, so with with Kinnick's buyout of Harris, his leases don't automatically transfer. Is that correct? Do they have to reapply for his leases, or do they go with the sale?

Nope. You are correct. Those leases do not automatically transfer, so that will be part of the forthcoming process. So the commission will see lease applications for recommendation for council approval.

Okay. Thank you.

Yeah. Thank you. Those are very good questions. Anyone else? Alright. Let's go ahead and vote on this one.

Okay. All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed, please say nay. With that, we have six yeas, one absent. Commissioner Wade, motion carries.

Alright. Thank you all. Let's move on to reports. Report on the issuance of a temporary land use permit for the Oktoberfest. Anyone have questions about the report or comments? It's a very fun activity. Appreciate it. Glad you approved that. And then we have a report on the Seward Sauna temporary land use permit. Was it yeah. TLUP. Any comments or questions on that? I did not participate in that, so I can't comment on it. But sounds like it was a good use of the land. Community director, do you have anything to add to Hercules?

I do. Let me just pull up my calendar here so I get the proper information. I wanted to let the commission know about an upcoming event that is related to our housing needs assessment study that's ongoing. On Monday, September 29 at noon, there is a a lunch going on during the business builder workshop, which is at the Civic Center. It's been an event being put on by the economic development department in collaboration with some other organizations statewide supporting small business development.

So we're hosting their Monday lunch session, and the consultants working on the housing needs assessment will be flying in, weather dependent, of course, or joining us virtually for that session. So they will be going over the results of the community survey that they received, which they already went over with counsel, and I believe I shared that report with you. They will also go over some of the preliminary results from the workforce questionnaire that we sent out. So that's something new that we haven't seen before. And then we're using it as an opportunity as a listening session with small business owners to hear about any challenges that they may have with hiring or finding housing for their workforce.

So we've we've really, during the housing needs assessment process, we've been doing interviews with some of the larger employers in town, but we were trying to find a way to interview more small businesses as well. So we chose this event as an opportunity kind of do a group, listening session and discussion. So if any of the commissioners would like to attend that event, it is Monday, the twenty ninth at noon at the Civic Center, and I'd be happy to email that information out as well. There is a registration for the event online, so I can send that link in an email to the group. But that project is moving along really well, and it's on track to be complete by November.

And then also the title 16 subdivision code and title 15 building code revisions are moving along well. So they're on track to be completed by the end of the year as well.

That's all

I Thank you. Keith, one quick question. This meeting starts at

noon?

So the the workshop itself, the business builder workshop, is a two day event, Monday the twenty ninth, Tuesday the thirtieth. I know it's all day. I don't know the exact hours, but all the information is on the website. So, you can, you know? Well, anyone is welcome to attend the entire event, and then we're just in the lunch session that Monday. So it starts at noon, but I think the food food is gonna start to be served at 11:45. So I encourage folks to show up a little bit early if you're able to or, come join us when you can if you'd like to hear that discussion.

And are you saying you need to register if you just wanna go to the lunch part?

Yeah. Yep. You need to register. So I'll send that link out to the commissioners. And if you're interested, you can register online. I believe it's free.

I'm just curious. Does anybody know that they are going at this time?

It sounds interesting, but I would wanna go to

I would like

Go ahead, commissioner Bolton.

Oh, I said I would like to go. I haven't normally, some of this stuff gets emailed to the prospector's info at I haven't seen any of that. But, yeah, I think we'd at least like to have at least one person from prospector there and not commission business, but I'd probably go either way.

Okay. Great. I was just asking

Also, just to piggyback just to I'm sorry. Go ahead. Delay. Just to piggyback on that, Kate, I think I I'm thinking back to, like, months or weeks ago. Was there some documentation about that assessment that was gonna be sent out as well?

Yeah. I thought I emailed out the report. So if the commissioners didn't receive that, or regardless, I can include that in the email as well. I had slides from the housing needs assessment work session for city council.

Yeah. If you could, I think.

And it's also online, so you can listen to the

That would

be awesome.

Yeah. I will, I'll make sure to send out those slides.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

And I can send the updated slides too for Monday's presentation once we once we do the presentation.

Alright. Any other questions about the director's report? Commission business from the floor. We'll start online. Commissioner Moulton, do you have any business?

I I have a question just so, yeah, I live on Shupe Lane, and so I've been watching the the new housing. I don't I don't you know, if it's considered affordable or or whatever. Is the point of those houses to hold the snow on the roofs, Kate? Do you know or anyone? They're shingled roofs, and they're really close together, and then there's a multistory building as well. Mhmm.

Yeah. They no. They are they are shedding roofs, but they are shingled, as you said. So, you know, they shed differently than a lot of the the metal roofs that we have in town, but that is definitely something that was reviewed as a part of their building permit process. And they had their engineers looking at, So that that was the approved design by the engineer working on the project.

And then, additionally, that is a planned unit development that was approved by this commission. I can't remember, Chris, if you were on the commission when that when that came through. So another requirement of both the planned unit development and the building permit process now under the new zoning code is that on-site snow storage is provided. So they also have on-site snow storage areas that were included in their plan, because they are gonna be moving snow.

Okay. No. I was not on, but I did get I believe I got a door knocker when that was going on. You know, and I'm not trying to be against housing. I'm just right across the street from them, there's a house that was shingle that's now a metal roof. So I wish I wish them the best.

Yeah. And so, just just one point of clarification also if any public are listening to, the meeting or the recording. So that development, it's the Akaw development, which is a nonprofit arm of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, and it's all occurring on a single lot. So it's designed with their interior driveway to look like a private street, essentially, but the entire development will be retained in their ownership. And so it's Akaw that will be responsible for the snow removal. It's not a property that the city will be doing any snow removal on. It's a it's a private property that Akaw will handle all the snow removal and maintenance of their private street.

Yeah. Kate, if Thank

you, Kate.

I remember sitting through that and asking, and those roof design is designed to hold the snow. Right. Yeah. And they don't want it to slide. They want us to keep it on the roof, because they are so close.

And they put a fence. Mhmm. If I remember right, it was within 10 feet at the back of the

Yeah.

The road next

to Yeah. That they built it stout enough that it can hold the snow. And, really, that's where snow belongs is on the roof.

Yep. It was taken into consideration. We'll leave it at that. Alright. Anything else?

Okay. That's all I have. Thank you very much, everyone.

Alright. Thank you. Commissioner Venus?

No. I have nothing. Thank you.

Alright. Thank you. Alright. I've got nothing. Alright. Commissioner Radtich.

We have nothing further.

Commissioner Goodrope. Nothing here.

Thank you. Alright.

I just wanna thank you all for participating in this with this recent political violence that we're seeing. It it reminds us that we're making tough decisions where sometimes we we just can't make the right choice where we're not gonna step on somebody's toes. Somebody wants a cell tower on your property. Somebody else doesn't wanna look at it. And whatever side we take, we're gonna offend somebody. So I commend you all for your courage, for showing up to these meetings, for speaking out, and making your opinions known and not being afraid. And I also commend you for keeping it civil. We can disagree and still get along just fine. Everything you do shows respect to the others on the dais, and it shows respect to the citizens that we're serving. I appreciate that from all of you.

That's all I have.

Thank you.