Session 09-18, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Advisory Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Minsch at 7:07 p.m. on November 4, 2009 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:      COMMISSIONER HAINA, KRANICH, MINSCH, SINN, WALKER

 

ABSENT:        COMMISSIONER BOS

 

STAFF:                   PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

                   DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

The public may speak to the Planning Commission regarding matters on the agenda that are not scheduled for public hearing or plat consideration.  (3 minute time limit).

 

There were no public comments.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

ADOPTION OF 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 October 21, 2009

2.       Time Extension Requests

          a. Christensen Tract No. 5

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

4.       KPB Coastal Management Program Reports

5.       Draft Decision and Findings for an appeal of an enforcement action at 844 Ocean Drive Loop, Kennedy

 

Item 5 was removed from the consent agenda as the decisions & findings were not available at the time of the meeting.

 

The amended consent agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Presentations approved by the City Planner, the Chair, or the Planning Commission.

 

There were no presentations scheduled.

 

REPORTS

a.       Borough Report

b.       Kachemak Bay Advisory Planning Commission Report

c.       City Planner’s Report

          1.       Staff Report PL 09-93, City Planner’s Report

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen reviewed the staff report. She gave a brief overview about setback and right-of-way information on the spit, which will be a future agenda item as noted in the staff report. There was brief discussion confirming the upcoming Planning Commission training in Anchorage.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Commission conducts Public Hearings by hearing a staff report, presentation by the applicant, hearing public testimony and then 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.  The applicant is not held to the 3 minute time limit.

 

There were no public hearings scheduled.

 

PLAT CONSIDERATION

The Commission hears a report from staff, presentation from the applicant and testimony from the public.  The Commission may ask questions of staff, applicants and the public.

 

There were no plats for consideration.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.       Staff Report PL 09-92(S), Policies and Procedures/Bylaws Manual

 

Planning Commissioner Engebretsen reviewed the staff report.

 

KRANICH/WALKER MOVED TO BRING THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL TO THE FLOOR FOR DISUCSSION AND REVIEW.

 

Regarding Commission deliberations there was discussion that it should be shown as a statement specific to all quasi-judicial reviews.

 

The Commission agreed to include an item 14 on their agenda for staff comments at the end of the meeting. They reiterated the position from their prior meeting that they do not want to have telephonic participation in their bylaws or procedures manual.

 

KRANICH/WALKER MOVED TO FORWARD THE REVISED BYLAWS AND POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

B.       Staff Report PL 09-91, Ordinance Amending the Residential Office Zoning Code

 

KRANICH/HAINA MOVED TO BRING STAFF REPORT 09-91 TO THE FLOOR FOR DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

 

There was no objection and discussion ensued.

 

The Commission began discussion on this agenda item during their worksession. They agreed to continue that general discussion in a worksession mode and have staff bring a revised ordinance back for review at a future 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 and the applicants. Any items brought before the commission for discussion are on the floor for discussion following introduction of the item.  The Commission will accept presentation on agenda items that involve an applicant (such as acceptance of a nonconformity.)  A member of the public wishing to comment on regular business items that do not require a public hearing or public notice may do so under Public Comment.

 

A.       Staff Report PL 09-95, Ordinance Amending  21.54.060 Standards for Mobile Home Park

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen reviewed the staff report.

 

HAINA/WALKER MOVED TO DICUSS STAFF REPORT PL 09-95 AND MOVE IT TO PUBLIC HEARING.

 

The Commissioner’s discussed that this is a good change. Chair Minsch requested that staff research at what point a mobile home becomes real property and how the Borough deals with mobile homes.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

B.       Staff Report PL 09-97, Draft Resolution 09-XX, Meeting Schedule for 2010

 

HAINA/WALKER MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2010 MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

 

There was brief discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

Items listed under this agenda item can be HCC meeting minutes, copies of zoning violation letters, reports and information from other government units. 

 

A.           Letter dated October 16, 2009 to Leo Crocker from Dotti Harness, Planning Technician

 

B.           City Manager’s Report dated October 26, 2009

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

Members of the audience may address the Commission on any subject.  (3 minute time limit)  

 

There were no audience comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

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

 

Commissioners Haina, Kranich, Walker and Chair Minsch had no comments.

 

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 8:26 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for December 2, 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: