City of Homer

Planning & Zoning Telephone (907) 235-3106

491 East Pioneer Avenue Fax (907) 235-3118

Homer, Alaska 99603-7645 E-mail Planning@ci.homer.ak.us

Web Site www.ci.homer.ak.us

M E M O R A N D U M 05-74(A)

TO: MAYOR HORNADAY AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

THRU: WALT WREDE, CITY MANAGER

BY: BETH MCKIBBEN, CITY PLANNER

FROM: HOMER ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION

DATE: March 17, 2005

SUBJECT: Community and Economic Impact Analysis

At the regular Homer Advisory Planning Commission meeting on April 6, 2005 the Commission received Homer City Council Resolution 05-37 - Directing the Planning Commission and Planning Department to thoroughly assess HCC 21.61.105(f) Community and Economic Impact, and HCC 21/61.105(l) Standards (for Large Retail and Wholesale).

The Commission discussed this item at length. Councilman Novak participated in this discussion. The Commission would like the City to commission a baseline economic study of Homer. The idea being that having baseline information will be useful in evaluating the impacts of a large retail store on the economics of Homer.

Additionally, the Commission recommends a joint committee of two City Council members and two Planning Commissioners, the City Manager and City Planner, and ex-officio member, Bill Smith be formed. The purpose of this Committee would be to discuss the standards and criteria of the Community and Economic Impact Analysis requirement for Large Retail and Wholesale businesses. This is a new section of the code that has never been utilized. The Commission believes it would be helpful for the Council and Commission, as well as staff, to have a discussion early in the process about the interpretation and implementation of this section. The Commission believes it is advantageous to have a dialog because this is such an important component of the Large Retail and Wholesale standards, and it is a technique that is considered "cutting edge" in the local land use arena. There is not much information from other communities about how this tool can be used.

Should this Committee be formed, Commissioner Hess and Commissioner Kranich would represent the Planning Commission.

Recommendation

1. [Appropriate by ordinance approximately $30,000 to $40,000 to conduct a community and economic baseline study and authorize the City Manager to commission such a study.]

2. Establish by resolution a joint committee to discuss the standards and criteria of the Community and Economic Impact Standards in the code. Request that the Mayor appoint the members of the committee.

Fiscal Note: $40,000/Unbudgeted