Planning & Zoning Commission - Regular Meeting

Um, I call to order the October 8th, 2025 rescheduled regular meeting of the Woodier Planning and Zoning Commission at 6:01 p.m. Please rise for the Pledge of

Allegiance. United States of America and to the for it stands nationy and justice for all. Okay. Um before we begin tonight's meeting, please note that digital copies of the packet are available on our website. A QR code is provided just outside that door or in the top left corner of the YouTube video. Open your phone's camera to scan the code and access the packet. And madame clerk, will you take roll call, please?

Thank you. Mr. Ding, here. Miss Brazelton here. Miss Jurgerson here. Miss Stockberger absent. Miss Lo here. You have a quorum.

All right, we're going to move on to citizen comments. Citizen comments on any agenda item except those scheduled for public hearing are welcome at this time. Those who have signed in will be given the first opportunity to speak. Please note, this is not a time for dialogue. It is a time for you to speak and the commission to listen. Madame clerk, is anyone signed in? No one is signed in. Is there anybody present that would like to speak? All right. Going to move on to the approval of agenda and consent agenda. Is there a motion in a second to approve this evening's agenda and consent agenda? I'll make a motion to approve the agenda and consent agenda.

Thank you. Do we have a second? I'll second the motion. Thank you. Um, so a motion has been made and seconded to approve the special agenda. Is there any discussion? Okay. Hearing none, will the clerk please call the role? Voting on the motion to approve tonight's agenda and consent agenda. Mr. Durgen, yes. Mr. Gerson, yes. Miss Brazelton, yes. Miss, yes.

The motion passes and the agenda and consent agenda are approved. On tonight's consent agenda are the approval of the December 16th, 2024 regular meeting minutes. All right. Does any commissioner wish to declare a substantial financial conflict of interest or exparty communications? Okay. So, we're moving on to presentations and reports. Uh, there are no presentations and Monica's not on, is she? No. Okay. Um, and I do not have a report. Um, Addison, do you have a report? Yes. Um, so, uh, page two of your packet, um, we have a preliminary plat, um, application to establish a 20ft electrical easement. Um, this easement is at the southwest corner of the cruise lease parcel through Princess Cruise Lines.

Madame Chair, I do have a report. Okay. Oh, okay. Jackie. Yeah.

There we go. Sorry I'm not able to be there in person tonight. I'm a little under the weather. Uh I just want to welcome our new commissioners. Thank you. Uh myself and Shelby will be sending you some um links to do some trainings online that will then give you your commissioner um uh performance evaluation certificates. So, I do that with all all commissioners. I think it gives you a really good insight of what a planning and zoning commissioner is. Um, and I just want to say again, welcome to the commission. We do have a heavy lift right now and um over the next couple months, we will be um finishing up our title 17 to move forward for approval in January. So, um, I'll make sure that you get the the back history on that at the next regular meeting and work session. Amazing. Thank you, Jackie. Um, now I guess we're moving on to new business. So, we have a resolution uh resolution 2025-00001, a resolution approving the preliminary plat submitt by Princess Cruise Lines Limited for the establishment of a ride-of-way utility easement and the endorsement of an eastern easement agreement with Chugatch Electric Association granting a 20 footwide electric easement located within section 14, Township 8 North, Range for East Sewward Meridian. Is there a staff report regarding this resolution?

There there is. So, um I'll reference the um agenda statement that was prepared by Jackie. It's page two of your packet. And we do also have somebody from Chuvatch Electric online um Tom and she'll be able to answer anything that's technical um that we need to address. Um so there is a preliminary plat application and the purpose of that preliminary plat application is to um grant uh princess line with a easement. So it's a temporary easement um and the Chugat electric received a grant uh award to establish shoreline power. So, if you're driving by the cruise ship dock down at Princess, you can see the large um power storage. Um and so the purpose of the project is to provide the cruise ships with shoreline power. So, they don't have to have their boats or the ships sitting there um running and they will still have power. Um there are some recommendations that it does follow our land use and zoning. They're in compliance. um long-term development implications there. We are asking that the plat include um some requirements that they coordinate with DOT in case you know future development with widening the road or anything. So there is a DOT um rightway application in your packet as well. Uh, so that I would turn it over to Lorraine and maybe if you want to talk a little bit about this, Lorraine.

Yeah, no problem. Hi, good afternoon. Um, first let me say I understood and heard the comment that this is a temporary easement. This is not a temporary easement. This preliminary plat is for a permanent easement and we have already established DOT permit to allow for the project to be built in portions of DOT's rightway. So that's been approved and we kn we now have received an amendment to that permit that allows construction to go through 2026 because we didn't know when this was going to be approved by the city. So, we've extended it.

I can clarify on that. Um, all of ours are considered preliminary plats until the final is complete and it is um final as a um recorded document. So, we consider all of ours as preliminary plat until the final say is recorded. Understood. So, once it gets recorded though it becomes a permanent easement. That's all I wanted to make clear. Did you have any other questions on what we have obtained to go forward with our project?

I have a quick question. Um I I'm pretty sure I understand. I just kind of wanted to ask this to make sure it's on record. Um so this is to uh uh establish shore power for your ships. And looking at the map, it looks like it's just it runs like right right along the side of the road about 20 ft, right? Yes. West Camp Road. Mhm.

Yes. Okay. And then um will this in any way put a strain on like Whittier's power or is this to establish something so that it won't put a strain on Whittier's power? That's exactly why we're doing the the uh the replacement and adding those facilities to be able to provide the power to Princess Cruise Lines parcel. It's to mitigate uh future long-term outages. We want to replace that underground cable. It's really necessary for the amount of power that's going to go to the city and that the city already uses. So yes, there will be interruptions to the city's power and what we propose is that the project um hours and notifications to the city. We it will be it will be done in coordination with the city to mitigate long-term outages at any given time. We'll try to do it outside of your normal business hours, that kind of thing. So in the evenings or late in the day. Um, but that's for that's we could coordinate going forward, you know, further into the project and with approval from the city for the easement.

Okay. And you're just you're talking about the power outages like while you're constructing it. Correct. It's only Yeah. I mean, obviously, we have to shut some power off to be able to touch it. Yeah. Okay. Thank you so much for the clarification. You're welcome. Um, does anybody else have any questions? That's all we have. So, can we move uh forward with this motion um an approval of the resolution with the uh recommended notes from the administrative report?

Is that okay? All right. Is there a motion and a second to approve resolution 2025-001?

I can make that motion. Right. Anybody want a second? I'll second that motion. All right. A motion has been made and seconded to approve resolution 2025-001. Is there any further discussion? Jackie administration anything to add? Nothing to add. Okay. On

Okay. All right. Hearing none. Will the clerk please call the role? Voting on the motion to approve resolution 2025-00001, a resolution approving the preliminary plat submitted by Princess Cruise Line for the establishment of a ride-of-way utility easement and the endorsement of an easement agreement with the Chugat Electric Association granting a 20 foot wide electric easement located within section 14, Township 8 North, Range Fort East, Seward Meridian. Mr. Ding, yes. Mr. Yes. Miss Fazelton. Yes. Miss Sloan.

Yes. Motion passes and resolution 2025-001 is approved. Thank you.

Thank you. All right. Other new business. Um, we're skipping the meeting minutes. Correct. Okay. Sorry. Um, number two is historic signs. Is there a staff report regarding signage? Um, we did not prepare a staff report, but I'll give you some context and p if you go to page 79 of your packet. And I was hoping that one of the folks that brought this to the city would be online, but I do not believe they are. Um, and I so we were approached or um the gentleman and I I don't think I'm pronouncing his name right. I think he goes by Monk, but his name um through the email is Forex. Okay. um he had stopped by our office and also sent in an email um working with Ted Spencer and also Joe Shane um to inquire about the possibility of coordinating with the city to install historic signs. Um there has been um a cost estimate that has been brought to us of $1,000 for the signage. um the the three of those folks are working together to try and come up with some money um and look for sponsorships and partnerships. Um and so the cost that they have provide to provided to us which is not detailed in your packet but it's $1,000. And so they have committed $500 through the the anchor in and then folks are trying to contribute just personally out of their own pocket. And so I don't know if this is the appropriate time to h I want to introduce this as a discussion and then

also just figure out you know how do we move forward with this. Um, I believe that there should be a request that's presented to the commissioners and to the PNC. Um, and just wanted to open it up as introduction and start having the discussion about it. So, they've done their research and they've identified the signs that they would like to purchase and have installed. They've discussed a walking tour um and potentially placing some signs from the tunnel and coming into so I feel like there should be a more of a coordinated plan in front of you guys but we don't have that today but I wanted to make sure that we introduce it and start to have the discussion about what that looks like. Oh, and on the screen you can see the signs that they had sent over to us that they're wanting to purchase. Um, and this has really been spearheaded by Ted Spencer and I I know Jackie is online too and she can speak more to this. Um, but it there's been a lot of effort that has put into this. Um, I've been with the city for six months now and it was one of the things that first got brought to my attention and I really feel like we need to make some movement on it.

Planner planners, I just wanted to um jump in and add that um over the last five years I've been working with Mr. Spencer. he has some um different ideas for a historic walking tour, but this is just a beginning. And it is it's really good when someone comes into a community and says, "Look, I have this and I'd like to raise the money and help with it." Um what the the need is with administration just coming to planning and zoning is you know we we've talked about wayfinding signs in the past and you know we know how sign constricted we are because of the locations and things like that. So, um, over the last two years, I've been working with Ted to look at being purchasing some of his signage and then making metal cast signs that would be able to be um, posted even along the highway with working with DOT. So, uh, just know that this is just really preliminary, but um, anybody that has been here for even more than a month knows how adv advocate how we can advocate with, um, Ted Spencer to get some really great things for our World War II um, presence. And we are talked about at even the federal level on how great our museum is. And so if we can just add these really great walking tours throughout our community, um you know, we know that that's good for everybody. So just you'll be seeing more of these coming and then what they're looking like. Um and it falls under planning and zoning commission because it's signs, but also um because of where those signs might be located. you know, if they're ones being put up in the harbor, it wouldn't be um really put in front of planning and zoning, but if they're going to be in any setbacks

or any way um an appementedment, then we would have to bring it in front of planning and zoning or anybody who is requesting it. So, if that helps anybody this evening, thank you. Um yes, I agree. Ted Spencer's done something really fantastic with the museum and um trying to preserve Lydia's history and I am all for signage and I know that you said this is preliminary but is this something that would be integrated into the wayfinding like the signage plan that we've approached with Corvvis or is this something standalone and and different?

It's totally standalone. Um miss loan. Well, that was funny. I'm sorry. Um sorry cold medicine my taking effect. Um um but I I would say that uh you know those corvvis design signs they were really an unrealistic sign for what wittier needs. And so the goal would be to um you know try to work along what that plan looks like because money was spent on that plan. But um know that these are this is what signs look like in historic districts across the country because people are familiar with them. So when you have people that are visiting from multiple countries, they look at that kind of sign and know that they're they're in some type of district. And so um that's why they're they're picking those colors. I can tell you for a fact. But um the wayfinding signs are totally different. there for there for um you know like them trying to show you where your business districts are and stuff.

Okay. Thank you. Yes. I have a question. Are these um proposed to be permanent signage or seasonal signage like a lot of the other signs we seem to have in this town? These would be permanent.

And yes, Miss Brazilton, I'm going to work really hard on making our signs permanent as well as a lot of other things. I mean, um there's a lot of things that can be connected to the ground and left. They're built that way. And um you know, we are a yearround community and our signage should also be able to be uh handle year- round usage. I have a question. Um, when it points to historic district, what area of town is it referring to? The whole town? I just curious if signs are pointing to something. What are they pointing exactly towards? Everything or?

Well, these are pointing to your major large buildings. I mean, even if you're just looking at what they're saying, um the historic district of of Whittier would be like the P12 building, the Buckner building, um the gymnasium, those buildings. So, it would either point to them or be on placed on the side of the building. Thank you. That's all great information. Thank you. Um, since this is just preliminary, um, can we move on to commissioner comments? Does anybody have anything they'd like to say? Aubrey? No. Heather? No. Just thanks for the opportunity and I really hope we can all work together to make Woodier a better place for everybody.

Amazing, Ben. I just uh I don't think I have like any comments. This is sort of going back to what we just were talking about. So are we maybe I haven't followed along in the conversation on the way finding signs. So are we just it's just tabled for right now. is that status those way finding signs were w were tabled um the night that you guys received the preliminary design of them the report is there it's a report that and a plan that sits on a on a drive

yeah okay thank you yes I don't think I have any further comment

okay thanks all All right. Um, as we're coming to another citizen discussion, time is limited to five minutes per speaker on any subject over which the commission has control. Again, this is not a time for dialogue. Rather, it's a time to allow citizens to speak and the commission to listen, vice mayor or vice um, chair. While the clerk is out getting that list, um I just want to let the commission know that I will not be in attendance of the October 28th meeting. I will be um at a conference. Okay.

Thank you. U Madame Clerk, has anybody signed in? Nobody has signed in. Are there any um anyone present who wishes to speak at this time? No. Okay. If we have no further business, I think we can adjourn. Um any further business? No. Okay. All right. There being no further business, this meeting is adjourned at 6:25 p.m.