Session 06-14, a Special Meeting
of the Homer Advisory Commission was called to order at
PRESENT:
COMMISSIONERS: CHESLEY, FOSTER,
HESS, LEHNER, CONNOR, KRANICH
ABSENT: PFEIL (excused)
STAFF: CITY PLANNER MCKIBBEN
PUBLIC
WORKS DIRECTOR MEYER
PLANNING CLERK ROSENCRANS
A quorum is required to
conduct a meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
The Commission conducts Public Hearings by hearing a staff report, hearing public testimony and then acting on the Public Hearing items. The Chair may prescribe time limits. The Commission may question the public.
HESS/LEHNER – MOVE TO ACCEPT THE ORIGINAL ZONING PERMIT APPLICATION NO. 0306-013 FROM MARINERS TRIPLE NET, LLC INTO THE RECORD.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
KRANICH/LEHNER – MOVE TO ACCEPT NEW EVIDENCE, HOMER GCI RETAIL STORE – DESIGN CONCEPT, INTO THE OFFICIAL RECORD.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
City Planner McKibben summarized the staff report.
Blase Burkhart, principal architect of Burkhart-Croft Architects, presented a media presentation of the Homer GCI Retail Store Design Concept. Mr. Burkhart stated that he didn’t argue with the concept of the Master Streets and Roads Plan, just the outcome for their purposes; he continued by outlining the timeline of events and summarized the GCI design concept.
Commissioner
Lehner queried how many vehicles would be accessing the store per day. Mr. Burkhart explained there would be
approximately ten trips per day, not counting service vehicles. Discussion followed regarding the service
area in regards to the architecture and fence area. Commissioner Hess asked if there was a
possibility of limiting the second access from the
Lengthy discussion followed regarding the back 13’4” back driveway and if it would be necessary to have a second entrance with the number of customers per day in addition to the service vehicles.
Public Works Director Meyer commented that the appellant did a good job representing for the property owner. Mr. Meyer debated that the second driveway would cause traffic issues and compared to Alaska USA Credit Union. He explained the after that two curb cut it was determined that if there was an arterial road or any other access, a second curb cut would not be considered.
Commissioner
Foster asked what criteria the Department of Transportation uses to approve or
deny curb cuts on the
City Planner McKibben reviewed that there was originally a possibility of reducing the 20’ setback; however, if GCI had done that it would have required a Condition Use Permit, which is more time consuming. As there were time constraints for the applicant, it was decided to fast track the project.
Chair Chesley opened the meeting for comments from the public. There was no public present; however, there was one letter read into the record written by Angie Newby, Realtor.
Commissioner Foster asked Mr. Burkhart what type of facility as far as retail sales to get an idea of vehicles per day. Mr. Burkhart responded that they would sell cable television, cell phone service, repair broken cable, etc.
Commissioner
Kranich explained that if this facility had two curb cuts it would be
comparable to Homer Electric Association’s as they have a public entrance from
Discussion
followed regarding length of building and possible traffic congestion from the
second entrance onto the
The Public
Hearing was closed and there was a recess at
The meeting was
called back to order at
HESS/LEHNER – MOVE TO BRING THE GCI APPEAL OF ZONING PERMIT NO. 0306- BEFORE THE HAPC FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
HESS/KRANICH – MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Discussion followed regarding time frame for an appeal and whether discussion could be continued in an executive session. It was the consensus to open discussion and possibly continue to an Executive Session if the commission agreed more time was necessary.
VOTE: YES: NONE.
NO: CONNOR, LEHNER, KRANICH, HESS, CHESLEY, FOSTER.
Motion failed.
Commissioner Hess stated that in reviewing the Staff Report and hearing the presentations, there are good arguments on both sides. It may be that some kind of compromise is in order; could the appellant successfully limit access by allowing a right turn only on exit so it would be with the flow of traffic and limiting ingress so there would be no cross traffic.
Chair Chesley concurred with Mr. Meyer that it may be that the developers are proposing too intense a development for the lot size.
Commissioner Lehner stated Mr. Burkhart did a good job presenting and would prefer the site problems not be moved into the public realm. Discussion followed regarding the best interest of the community in terms of pedestrian safety and traffic.
Chair Chesley requested Ms. McKibben respond at a future time to the question of the developer having a long term lease and the possible future business use of the building by other businesses. Mr. Chesley addressed the commission as to whether there has been enough discussion to support staff’s decision, or if more time is needed. Further, he expressed it would be appropriate to uphold staff’s decision so they can work out the issue directly with the developer.
HESS/FOSTER - MOVE TO CONTINUE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE
Members of the audience may address the Commission on any subject. The Chair may prescribe time limits.
There were none.
COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION
Commissioners may comment on any subject, including requests to staff and requests for excused absence.
ADJOURNMENT
Notice
of the next regular or special meeting or work session w
There
being no further business to come before the Commission the meeting was
adjourned at
__________________________________________
Approved: _________________________________