Session 09-04, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Advisory Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Minsch at 7:01 p.m. on February 18, 2009 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:      COMMISSIONER BOS, HAINA, KRANICH, MINSCH, MOORE, STORM

 

ABSENT:        COMMISSIONER SINN

 

STAFF:                   CITY PLANNER ABBOUD

                   DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

                  

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Commissioner Kranich requested that the minutes be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed under New Business for discussion. The agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

The Public may speak to the Planning Commission regarding matters not scheduled for public hearing. (3 minute time limit) Presentations approved by the Planning Director, the Chair or the Planning Commission. A Public Works representative may address the Planning Commission.

 

There were no public comments.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

All items on the consent agenda are considered routine and non-controversial by the Planning Commission and are approved in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless requested by a Planning Commissioner or someone from the Public, in which case the item will be moved to the regular agenda and considered in normal sequence.

 

1.       Approval of Minutes of February 4, 2009

2.       Time Extension Requests

3.       Approval of City of Homer Projects under HCC 1.76.030 g.

4.       KPB Coastal Management Program Reports

 

The amended Consent Agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Presentations approved by the Planning Director, the Chair, or the Planning Commission. A Public Works representative may address the Planning Commission.

 

There were no presentations.

 

REPORTS

 

A.       Borough Report

 

Rick Foster, the City’s representative on the Borough Planning Commission, reported to the Commission about the upcoming Borough ordinance regarding flag lots. He provided some history on the ordinance and said the current revision states that flag lots on a lot that would be further subdividable would be allowed, but there would be a plat note included limiting it to no further subdivision unless the with width of the flag was widened such that they could have a 60 foot right-of-way. The definition for legal access that was adopted last May hasn’t been addressed in relation to this flag lot ordinance, but it could cause issues. He noted that the City provided a letter identifying concerns regarding emergency vehicle access. Mr. Foster also expressed that the view shed in Homer is very important.

 

B.       Kachemak Bay Advisory Planning Commission Report

 

There was no KBAPC report.

 

C.       Planning Director’s Report

          1.       Staff Report PL 09-15, City Planner’s Report

 

City Planner Abboud reviewed the staff report. There was discussion about the upcoming spit comprehensive plan.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Commission conducts Public Hearings by hearing a staff report, hearing public testimony and the acting on the Public Hearing items. (3 minute time limit) The commission may question the public. Once the public hearing is closed the Commission cannot hear additional comments on the topic.

 

A.       Staff Report PL 09-18, Draft Parking Ordinance

 

City Planner Abboud reviewed the staff report.

 

Chair Minsch opened the public hearing. There were no public comments and the public hearing was closed.

 

STORM/BOS MOVED TO ADOPT THE DRAFT PARKING ORDINANCE AND OPEN IT TO THE FLOOR FOR DISCUSSION.

 

KRANICH/STORM MOVED ON LINE 168 DELETE THE WORD WRITING AND PUT IN WRITTEN AGREEMENT.

 

There was brief comment that this is for clarification.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

KRANICH/BOS MOVED THAT ON LINE 178 DELETE THE WORD BENEFIT AND INSERT THE WORD USE.

 

There was brief comment that this is for clarification.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

There was brief discussion as to why off street parking on the spit can be off site if it is on a city owned lot. It was noted that this is the language in current code.

 

KRANICH/STORM MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO FORWARD THIS DRAFT ORDINANCE TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: (Amendment): NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

There was no further discussion on the main motion as amended.

 

VOTE: YES: BOS, MINSCH, MOORE, STORM, HAINA, KRANICH

 

Motion carried.

 

PLAT CONSIDERATION

The Commission hears a staff report, testimony from applicants and the public, The Commission may ask questions of staff, applicants and the public, The Commission will accept testimony or a presentation on agenda items that involve an applicant.

 

A.       Staff Report PL 09-16, Harrington Heights 2009 Preliminary Plat

 

City Planner Abboud reviewed the staff report.

 

Maureen Hunter, applicant, said she and her husband are applying for this because they want to build a little house in the center of the larger lot. They plan to have a small building spot surrounded by trees for privacy.

 

There were no questions for the applicant.

 

STORM MOVED TO ADOPT STAFF REPORT PL 09-16 HARRINGTON HEIGHTS 2009 PRELIMINARY PLAT WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS.

 

There was discussion that plat note 4 references a 5 foot utility easement adjacent to side lot lines and if that easement is still there after the lot line is vacated.  City Planner Abboud said he assumes it applies to the edge of the new lot and expects the licensed surveyor would note it on the plat.

 

VOTE: YES: HAINA, BOS, STORM, MINSCH, MOORE, KRANICH

         

Motion carried.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.       Staff Report PL 09-17, Memorandum 09-13, Land Allocation Joint Worksession

 

There was brief discussion regarding the worksession. The Commission had no recommendation to forward to the City Council. Commissioner Kranich said he would sit in at the meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

The Commission hears a report from staff. Commission business includes resolutions, ordinances, zoning issues, requests for reconsideration and other issues as needed. The Commission may ask questions of staff, applicants, and the public. Any items brought before the Commission for discussion are on the floor for discussion following introduction of the item. The Commission will accept testimony or a presentation on agenda items that involve an applicant (such as acceptance of a non conformity).

 

A.       Staff Report PL 09-19, Comprehensive Plan Review: Index, Chapters 1, 2, and 3, and Appendix

 

City Planner Abboud reviewed the staff report.

 

STORM/BOS MOVED TO DISCUSS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

INDEX, CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3, AND THE APPENDIX.

 

Recommendations included:

 

·         Page 169 last paragraph add maritime trades as one of the core industries.

·         Page 163 introduction first paragraph, Homer Airport Master be included with the other plans.

·         Page 183, Table 6 at the bottom, the Borough Mil Rate is incorrect and if individual taxes are going to be identified they should all be included and they need to be correct.

·         Include a note in the forward that data used for this plan was compiled during a rising economy and does not take into consideration any data after that.

·         Unless the City is planning to take over the landfill and waste disposal why is the City addressing it near term if the Borough is already taking care of it. The City may want to work with the Borough regarding education for recycling.

·         Previously the Commission had discussed changing the LEED Certification to what ever the most current certification standards are, along with wording that the green infrastructure map is available and the City should consider incentives for its use.

·         The Commission had eliminated statements like “when a green infrastructure map is adopted”.  It needs to be consistent throughout

 

STORM/BOS MOVED TO FORWARD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INDEX, CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3, AND THE APPENDIX FOR PUBLIC HEARING.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

B.       Approval of Minutes of February 4, 2008

 

Commissioner Kranich commented that he thought there was more discussion involved regarding the public hearing for the appeal.

 

KRANICH/HAINA MOVED THAT THE FEBRUARY 4 RECORDING BE REVIEWED BY THE CLERK AND CLARIFICATION ADDED TO THE MINUTES AND RETURNED FOR REVIEW AT THE NEXT MEETING.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.       A Memorandum to Mayor Hornaday and Homer City Council , and Walt Wrede, Cit Manager from Rick Abboud, City Planner regarding  an Ordinance  of the City Council of the City of Homer, Alaska, amending Chapter 21.61.050 and 21.61.060, Nonconforming Code.

         

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

Members of the Audience may address the Commission on any subject.

 

There were no audience comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

Commissioners may comments on any subject, including requests to staff and requests for excused absence.

 

Commissioner Moore commented regarding changing private property to conservation land, City Code says you can’t do that and he wouldn’t support a text change to allow the City to change private property to conservation property. He doesn’t think it is right to do that. He is having problems with the Kachemak Drive rezone where they talked about changing that to residential for a number of reasons. It sounds like there will be opportunity to speak on that again. He commented that it was difficult to hear some of the Commissioners when he listened to the recordings of the meetings he missed and he wants to hear what everyone has to say. He is looking forward to seeing what the East End mixed use definitions are. Regarding recycling, Commissioner Moore commented that the post office has ceased recycling because of budget cuts. They used to ship all the stuff back to Anchorage but it is costing too much money so someone higher up said to throw it away. They are looking for an avenue to do something with it. Recycling is tough because it is about dollars and cents. He commended the Commission for their work in his absence. He advised the Commission that he would be absent for the last meeting in March.

 

Commissioner Kranich expressed his appreciation to Commissioner Moore for keeping up to date when he is away, and commented that it was another good meeting.

 

Commissioner Bos welcomed back the Commissioners who were gone on vacation to warmer weather.

 

Commissioner Storm said she will try to speak into the microphone from now on.

 

Commissioner Haina commented that Commissioner Kranich confirmed with City Code and said that we can’t take peoples property; conservation zoning is only for public property, other that that, great input from everyone.

 

Chair Minsch commended the group for the good work while she was gone. Chapter four needs to come back for a few more clarifications, so there will be another chance to look at it. She thanked them for letting her take a vacation.

 

ADJOURN

Meetings adjourn promptly at 10 p.m. An extension is allowed by a vote of the Commission. Notice of the next regular or special meeting or work session will appear on the agenda following “adjournment”.

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers. There is a worksession at 5:30 p.m. prior to the meeting.

 

 

                                                         

MELISSA JACOBSEN, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: