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
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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
Fiscal Note: Advertising and Hiring Costs. Position Cost. Costs associated with office furnishings, computers and etcetera.