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

MEMORANDUM 07-64

 

DATE:             April 13, 2007

 

TO:                 Homer City Council

 

THRU: Walt Wrede, City Manager

 

FROM             Beth McKibben, City Planner

 

SUBJECT:       Sensitive Areas Ordinance

 

Introduction

This ordinance was considered by the City Council, a public hearing was held, and the Council referred the item back to the Homer Advisory Planning Commission (HAPC) for additional work.

 

The Commission discussed this item at the regular meeting of April 4, 2007.  The Commission voted to return the Sensitive Areas Ordinance to the Council for reconsideration, with the understanding that these proposed amendments only affect currently mapped flood plain areas.  If the Council still does not support the ordinance, the Commission requests additional direction from the Council.

 

Discussion

  • Proposed new chapter

The concept of a “Sensitive Areas” chapter in Title 21 has been under discussion for some time.  A Sensitive Areas chapter will create a place for regulations that apply to special areas of the city such as steep slopes, wetlands, and floodplains.  Those regulations will become subsections of the Sensitive Areas chapter, rather than duplicated numerous time in code for each zoning district.

 

  • Proposed changes to the Flood Damage Prevention Regulations

In 2003 the City adopted the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance in Title 12.  The adoption of this ordinance made the City eligible for participation in the flood insurance program.  This ordinance only applies to flood hazard areas.  The HAPC’s amendments are shown as bold underline.

 

The topic was first formally introduced to the HAPC at the regular meeting of November 2, 2007.  It was discussed at the November 15 and December 6 meetings.  The HAPC held a public hearing on the draft ordinance on February 7, 2007.  No public comments were received.  Otherwise the Flood Damage Prevention section has been moved in its entirety from Title 12 to Title 21.    

 

Recommendation:

Schedule for public hearing and adopt.

 

 

Fiscal note:  No change.