Session 08-17, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Advisory
Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Minsch at 7:02 p.m. on
September 3, 2008 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E.
Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT: COMMISSIONER
BOS, KRANICH, MINSCH, MOORE, SINN, STORM, ZAK
STAFF: CITY
PLANNER ABBOUD
PLANNING TECHNICIAN
ENGEBRETSEN
DEPUTY
AGENDA
APPROVAL
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 are 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
2. Time Extension Requests
a. Marley Subdivision, KPB File 2007-239
3. Approval of City of Homer Projects under
4. KPB Coastal Management Program Reports
Commissioner Storm requested the minutes be added
under new business for discussion.
The 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.
REPORTS
A. Borough
Report
There was no Borough Report.
B. Kachemak
Bay Advisory Planning Commission Report
There was no KBAPC report.
C. Planning
Director’s Report
City Planner Abboud reviewed the staff report.
The Commission discussed a draft parking ordinance
during the worksession. Question was raised as to the urgency of dealing with
it. City Planner Abboud commented that there isn’t a rush right now as we go
into winter; staff can bring it back when there is time to work on it.
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.
There were no Public
Hearings.
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 08-91, Double "O" Ranch Preliminary Plat
Planning Technician Engebretsen reviewed the staff
report.
Roger Imhoff, surveyor and applicant
representative, was available for questions. In response to questioning Mr.
Imhoff said the lots meet the 3:1 ratio and he pointed out the location of the
lots on the City of Homer Zoning Map.
STORM/KRANICH MOVED to adopt Staff Report PL 08-91, Double O Ranch Preliminary Plat with
staff recommendations.
Commissioner Zak commented regarding the letter
provided that raised issue with the road and the lot sizes. He thinks the
issues have been addressed as there is a road and it will likely be built to
Borough standards. The lots meet the size requirements and he doesn’t see where
water and septic will be an issue.
There was brief discussion regarding Fire
Department comments regarding road access. Point was raised that the property
is outside City limits. The reason the Commission is looking at it is based on
protection of property in the Bridge Creek Watershed District. Mr. Imhoff
commented that the owners have talked from day one that they would need to
build the road up to and within subdivision as it would be irresponsible to
develop this many lots with out adequate access. He doesn’t think the Borough
will require it but they plan to do it.
VOTE: YES: BOS, MINSCH, STORM, ZAK, KRANICH, SINN
Motion carried.
PENDING
BUSINESS
There were no pending
business items.
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 08-92, Ordinance 08-XX, An
Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Amending Homer City Code 21.60,
Sign Code, to Include the Town Center District and Correcting Table 1 to
Include the Marine Commercial District.
City Planner Abboud
reviewed the staff report.
STORM/KRANICH MOVED TO
APPROVE STAFF REPORT PL08-92 MOVING THE DRAFT ORDINANCE TO PUBLIC HEARING.
Commissioner Kranich
questioned a conflict in terms in Tables 1 and 3 regarding zoning districts.
City Planner Abboud noted the discrepancies and said staff would correct them.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION:
UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
B. Staff Report PL 08-96, Review of Comprehensive Plan, Forward
through Chapter 3 & Appendix A
City Planner Abboud
reviewed the staff report.
Commissioner Kranich noted
in reviewing the staff report City Planner Abboud suggested keeping statements
in the plan broad, but the statement that says “Pride in local heritage as a
community of artists” isn’t a broad statement. There are artists in the
community, but having it included in the statement regarding local heritage
narrows it down. Saying they are maintaining pride in the local heritage is
very broad, yet very specific. He brings it up as something to be considered
when reviewing the plan.
STORM/KRANICH MOVED TO
BRING TO THE FLOOR STAFF REPORT PL08-96 TO REVIEW
No opposition was expressed
and discussion ensued.
There was discussion that
not all Commissioners were working off the same draft of the plan. The June
copy has the typographical corrections. Staff will ensure that everyone has the
same draft.
Chair Minsch suggested they
take this up at the next worksession so they have some time to discuss it
before taking formal action.
KRANICH/ZAK MOVED TO MOVE
THIS TO A WORKSESSION FOR DISCUSSION.
There was brief discussion.
VOTE: YES: MINSCH, ZAK, KRANICH,
SINN, STORM, BOS
Motion carried.
C. Regular
Meeting Minutes from
Commissioner Storm questioned the vote on one of
the motions. Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen said she would double check the vote
sheet and recording and amend if necessary.
STORM/SINN MOVED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES FROM THE
AUGUST 20, 2008 MEETING.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS
A.
Memorandum
dated August 27, 2008 to the HAPC from Rick Abboud, City Planner, regarding
upcoming training events.
There was discussion regarding the proposed
schedule and working on the Comprehensive Plan first. City Planner Abboud said he would amend the schedule
and try to reschedule the Attorney to attend in October for a training session.
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.
Commissioners Zak, Sinn,
and Storm had no comments.
Commissioner Kranich commented that this was a good
meeting and he is still looking forward to working with this new body of
Commissioners. It is a new group with new ideas and new view points.
Commissioner Bos asked if there is any input about
what questions they would ask in the training. City Planner Abboud said he has
some information the attorney has presented at other training sessions if
anyone wants to look at it. Experience might dictate what questions they might
want to ask. It was noted that this is
the first opportunity for the Commission to meet with and have discussion with
the new attorney.
Chair Minsch concurred with Mr. Kranich, she is
excited, but they make her nervous because they don’t talk a lot. She is going
to assume that in the future they will. She encouraged them to speak up and ask
questions during the meeting, they can take a break and get clarification if
needed.
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 7:58 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is
scheduled for September 17, 2008 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,
Approved: