CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                                        Yourkowski/Novak

RESOLUTION 05-91(A)

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOMER ALASKA REQUESTING THAT THE CITY MANAGER BEGIN THE PROCESS OF RESTRUCTURING  AND UPGRADING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT. [BY HIRING A PLANNING DIRECTOR ]

 

WHEREAS, The City of Homer is experiencing record levels of residential and commercial development and new construction; and

 

WHEREAS, Alaska Department of Transportation Planners have stated that Homer is the second fastest growing area of the State; and

 

WHEREAS, Management of Homer’s unprecedented growth needs to proceed in an orderly and timely fashion; and

 

WHEREAS, The functions of the Planning Department are as critical to the overall health, safety and economic development of the City as are the Departments of Public Safety, Public Works and Port and Harbor, and

 

WHEREAS, Several large-scale residential and commercial developments are planned in the near future within the City of Homer; and

 

WHEREAS, The Planning Department has recently lost two of its experienced planning staff; and

 

WHEREAS, The Planning Department work list is growing and items from two years ago have still not been addressed, and

 

WHEREAS, The Planning Department has taken on the task of rewriting Title 21 thereby increasing its workload; and

 

WHEREAS, The Planning Department has taken on the task of rewriting the entire Comprehensive Plan thereby increasing its workload; and

 

WHEREAS, The Planning Department is operating in a crisis management situation; and

 

WHEREAS, The City Planner has stated that the Planning Department is being managed in a “triage” mode; and

Page Two

Resolution 05-91(A)

City of Homer

 

WHEREAS, In order to effectively manage Homer’s growth, the Planning Department must operate in a proactive management model advancing planning regulations and techniques ahead of development activity; and

 

WHEREAS, Current planning staff is overburdened leading to errors, misinterpretations and lack of code enforcement and even more work load and expense due to appeals; and

 

WHEREAS, Priority must be given to the Planning Department and Administration for enforcement of City Zoning and Planning codes to achieve effective management of development; and

 

WHEREAS, The City is rapidly loosing an opportunity to thoughtfully manage development so that green space, trail and wildlife corridors, peaceful and safe neighborhoods and the very character of the town are preserved; and

 

WHEREAS, The City will receive short and long term economic and societal benefits by the additions of a Planning Director to the Planning Department.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the City Council requests the City Manager begin the process of restructuring and upgrading the Planning Department.[ by hiring a Planning Director.] and conduct public hearings for public input into the process.

 

             PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 26th  day of  September, 2005.

 

 

                                                                                    CITY OF HOMER

 

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                    JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST:

 

                                                                                   

MARY CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

 

 

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