A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA REQUESTING THAT STAFF BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING ADDING ACREAGE TO THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS. AND INSTITUTING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF WETLAND FILL PERMITS.

WHEREAS, there has been a concern expressed by some members of the Planning Commission that there is a lack of general commercial lots available within the City of Homer; and

WHEREAS, the general commercial zoning designation may not be appropriate for Beluga Lake wetland areas; and

WHEREAS, in and around the Little Fireweed area there already exists substantial commercial development; and

WHEREAS, wetlands possess important functions and values which contribute to the aesthetic, economic and social well-being of the residents and businesses of Homer; and

WHEREAS, wetlands play a critical role in protecting surface and ground water quality, and habitat for moose, fish and water fowl; and

WHEREAS, wetlands mitigate property damage by functioning as important buffers for flood control; and

WHEREAS, the City of Homer undertook a wetlands study in 1988 "to develop a management strategy for wetlands within the City limits."; and

WHEREAS, this management strategy needs to be updated taking into account new information and a clearer understanding of the cumulative impacts so that intelligent planning decisions can be enacted to protect public and private interests now and in the future; and

WHEREAS, local control over local resources is, in this case, the preferred alternative to federal management for accommodating local needs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Homer, Alaska requests the following:

1. Staff begin the process of assessing adding acreage to the General Commercial Zoning Districts; and

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City of Homer

Resolution 00-124(A)

2. Staff should consider the Little Fireweed Area of East Road as a potential area for such rezoning. and should send a letter, approved by the Mayor, to the property owners to ascertain their interest in rezoning; and

3. That the City should institute a temporary moratorium on the issuance of wetland permits until the City reevaluates the standards and processes for permit applications and appeals of the City's General Permit 88-6N for low value wetland development received from the Corp of Engineers.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 18th day of December, 2000.

CITY OF HOMER

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ATTEST: JACK CUSHING, MAYOR

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MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal information: NA