CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

EDC/Wythe/City Clerk

RESOLUTION 07-04(A)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HIGHEST AND BEST USES FOR MARINER PARK.

WHEREAS, City Council approved the recommendation of Memorandum 06-87, during their regular meeting of May 22, 2006, to "Forward the concept of a second Fishing Lagoon located in the Mariner Park area to the Homer Economic Development Commission (EDC) for input, including the validity and feasibility thereof and the placement of informal petitions around town at various businesses for two weeks"; and

WHEREAS, The EDC took up this matter during their Regular Meeting of June 13, 2006 and moved to reject a singular use approach to planning and encourages the Council to direct the EDC to perform a highest and best use analysis for Mariner Park; and

WHEREAS, Through EDC Chair Howard a letter was sent to the Parks and Recreation, Planning and Port and Harbor Commissions regarding Mariner Park and the Commissions primarily focused on a Second Fishing Lagoon and did not address highest and best use; and

WHEREAS, Memorandum 06-112, was submitted to and approved by the City Council via Consent Agenda on June 26, 2006, to study the issue further to determine the "highest and best use" of Mariner Park for long-term community benefit. Seek input from the Parks and Recreation Commission on the same topic. Do not pursue development of a second fishing hole at Mariner Park until the draft staff report is completed and can be considered by commissions and Council; and

WHEREAS, Various Commissions' Reports were submitted to the City Council on July 24, 2006; and

WHEREAS, On September 21, 2006 the Economic Development and Parks and Recreation Commissions held a joint worksession regarding Mariner Park; and

WHEREAS, On October 10, 2006 the EDC emphasized their concerns with regard to ascertaining the highest and best use of Mariner Park for the greater good, hence an email was sent to the Commissions to agendize this item; and

WHEREAS, On October 19, 2006 the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission found the following: 1. Move entrance of Mariner Park to the north along the Homer Spit Road (away from curve) and provide pedestrian access to the Spit Trail, 2.Develop with RV sites and tent camping - provide water/sewer/power/informational and fee center. Area could be filled with dredge spoils. RV spaces could be mixed with tents so the ocean view is not blocked. Day parking could be on one side. 3. Provide year round public restrooms; and

WHEREAS, On October 25, 2006 the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission made recommendation for the uses of Mariner Park: Tunnel walkway to cross under Spit Road, concrete pad with BBQs on the inside berm, pavilions with picnic tables, leave room for kite flying and beach access, emphasis on day use instead of formalizing for camping, restrooms, move the access road towards town to get away from the curves, separate RVs, and provide a bike trail from the Lighthouse to Mariner Park; and

WHEREAS, On October 26, 2006 the Advisory Planning Commission recommended that the highest and best use of Mariner Park is for public open space, to include the activities of public camping, beach use and bird watching and that a fishing lagoon is not the highest and best use of the land at this time; and

WHEREAS, On November 14, 2006 the EDC reviewed the Parks and Recreation, Planning and Port and Harbor Commission input on highest and best use and decided on a recommendation to the City Council.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the City Council recognizes that the highest and best uses for Mariner Park continue in its current function of providing recreation and that its utility and safety be improved by providing the following amenities in the priority listed:

1. Provide pedestrian access to spit trail. Consider a tunnel walkway to cross under spit road.

2. Install restrooms.

3. Move entrance of mariner park to the north along the homer spit road, away from the curve.

4. Develop a bike trail from the lighthouse to mariner park.

5. Develop bird watching sites.

6. Develop a central pavilioned barbecue/picnic area on the inside of the berm.

7. Develop fee camping sites on the road side of the park and day parking on the ocean side.

8. Build an informational kiosk.

9. Develop Landscape Architecture Design Consistent with the Natural Environment and the Other Uses of Mariner Park.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That these highest and best uses for Mariner Park be included as part of the 2008-2013 CIP/Legislative Request process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the administration shall make every effort to apply for grants for funding the implementation of these uses.


PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of Homer, Alaska this 8th day of January, 2007.

CITY OF HOMER

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ATTEST: JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

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MARY L. CALHOUN, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: Project Costs and costs of implementation are not identified at this time.