1997-05-21 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING - MAY 21, 1997
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:30
p.m. by Chair Friend on May 21, 1997 in the Borough Assembly Chambers.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Others Present:
Jerrol Friend, Chair
Linda Freed, Director
Donna Bell
Community Development Dept.
Suzanne Hancock
Bob Scholze, Associate Planner
Roberta Scheidler
Community Development Dept.
Clarence Selig
Kim Patterson, Secretary
Walter Stewart
Community Development Dept.
Darlene Turner
Commissioners Absent:
None
A quorum was established.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COMMISSIONER BELL MOVED TO ACCEPT the agenda with the additions
reported by staff. The motion was seconded and CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.
IV. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes for the April 30, 1997 regular meeting were not available for consideration
at meeting time. They will be considered at the June regular meeting.
V. AUDIENCE COMMENTS AND APPEARANCE REQUESTS
There were no audience comments or appearance requests.
P & Z Minutes: May 2l, 1997 Page 1 of 9
t VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A) Case 97-006. A variance from Section 17.60.020.13 (Signs) of the Borough code,
to permit a four foot by eight foot (4' X 8') illuminated sign identifying a
permitted non-residential use (church) on Lots 1 & 2, Block 1, Russell Estates, 1st
Addition, to extend approximately eighteen (18) inches higher than the maximum
six (6) feet above grade allowed in a residential zoning district. 1109 and 1111
Selief Lane.
BOB SCHOLZE indicated 24 public hearing notices were mailed for this case and
none were returned. Staff recommended approval of this request subject to one
condition.
TURNER MOVED TO GRANT a variance from Section
17.60.020.B (Signs) of the Borough code, to permit a four foot by eight foot (4' X
8') illuminated sign identifying a permitted non-residential use (church) on Lots 1
& 2, Block 1, Russell Estates, 1st Addition, to extend approximately eighteen (18)
inches higher than the maximum six (6) feet above grade allowed in a residential
zoning district subject to the condition of approval contained in the staff report
dated May 1, 1997, and to adopt the findings contained in that staff report as
"Findings of Fact" for this case.
OF APPROVAL
Issuance of a building permit prior to erection of the sign will ensure that
all safety factors related to structural integrity, electrical, and wind and
snow load are met.
FINDINGS OF FACT
17.66.050 A.1.Exceptional physical circumstances or conditions applicable to the
property or intended use of development which generally do not apply to other
properties in the same land use district.
The church is located on corner lots where there is sixty (60) foot right-of-way
separation from neighboring residential lots on street sides. The property is
subject to extensive hours of darkness and periods of reduced visibility during
winter months. Mounding around the base of the sign to increase grade level by
even eighteen inches would result in reversal of drainage flow toward the church
building.
P & Z Minutes: May 21, 1997 Page 2 of 9
17.66.050 A.2.Strict application of the zoning ordinances woul result iT practi(T
difficulties or unnecess= hardships I
To utilize this sign as supplied by the factory would require either mounding
around the base to increase grade level eighteen (18) inches, reversing drainage
flow toward the church, or cutting 18 inches off the base of the sign, which may
undermine its structural integrity.
17 66 050 A 3 The granting of the variance will not result in material damages or
prejudice to other properties in the vicinity nor be detrimental to the public's
health, safety and welfare.
Eighteen inches is not a significant additional height and will not result in
material damage or prejudice to other properties in the vicinity. The sign will set
well back from Selief Lane and away from the corner, and will not obstruct traffic
line of sight. A condition of approval requiring issuance of a building permit
prior to sign erection will assure that building and electrical code safety standards
are met.
17 66 050 A 4 The granting of the variance will not be contrary to the objectives
of the Comprehensive Plan,
The Borough Comprehensive Plan designates this area as medium and high -
density residential. Churches are a permitted use in these zoning districts. It is
only reasonable that Churches should be allowed to have a clearly visible sign
announcing the denomination and hours of service.
17 66 050 A 5 That actions of the applicant did not cause special conditions or
financial hardship from which relief is being sought by the variance.
Actions of the applicant did not cause special conditions or financial hardship
from which relief is being sought.
17 66 050 A 6 That the g ar nting of the variance will not permit a prohibited land
use in the district involved.
A sign indicating the church denomination and hours of service is a reasonable
subsidiary use to the church use permitted in the R3-Multi-family Residential
zoning district.
The motion was SECONDED.
P & Z Minutes: May 21, 1997
Page 3 of 9
Regular Session Closed.
Public Hearing Opened:
Seeing and hearing none.
Public Hearing Closed.
Regular Session Opened.
The question was called and the motion CARRIED by unanimous roll call vote.
B) Case 97-007. Planning and Zoning Commission finding, in accordance with
Section 17.57.050 (Off-street Parking) of the Borough Code, that ten (10) required
off-street parking spaces for the building material supply structure on Lot 10A,
Allman Lalande Subdivision, can be located on a lot in common ownership within
six hundred (600) feet, and review of a prior fencing requirement for Lot 10A.
Lots 2, 3, 4A, and 10A, Allman Lalande Subdivision.
BOB SCHOLZE indicated 40 public hearing notices were mailed for this case and
none were returned. Staff recommended approval of this request subject to
conditions of approval. A third condition of approval was suggested in the
Summary Statement dated May 20, 1997, consistent with previous Commission
action in similar cases.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK MOVED TO FIND in accordance with Section
17.57.050 (Off-street parking) of the Borough Code that the ten (10) required off-
street parking spaces for the building material supply structure located on Lot
10A, Allman Lalande Subdivision, can be located on a lot in common ownership
within 600 feet (Lots 2, 3, & 4A, Allman Lalande Subdiviison), and that no fence
is required along the lot line common to Lot 10A and the Selig Street right-of-
way, subject to conditions of approval contained in staff memorandum dated May
7, 1997, and to adopt the finding in that staff memorandum as "Findings of Fact"
for this case.
OF APPROVAL
Install a five (5) foot high, sight -obscuring fence on the west side of Lot
10A to screen the commercial use from residentially zoned Lot 13, per
KIBC 17.57.080.D.1 and 17.21.050.C.
2. The parking area on Lots 2, 3, and 4A shall comply with the parking area
development standards of KIBC 17.57.080.
P & Z Minutes: May 21, 1997 Page 4 of 9
/ FINDING OF FACT
1. Locating the required parking spaces across the street on property within
600 feet and owned by Spenard Builders Supply is more practical due to
the expansion on Lot 10A and satisfies the intent of KIBS 17.57.050. A
fence is not required for screening along Selig Street on Lot 10A since it is
not adjacent to a residentail use, because pass -through traffic at the sides
of the structure on Lot IOA is not possible due to topography and site
development, and because a fence along Selig Street would be at cross
purposes with a determination to permit required parking across the street.
A five (5) foot high sight obscuring fence on the west side of Lot IOA will
effectively screen this business use from the residential use on the adjacent
lot.
The motion was SECONDED.
Regular Session Closed.
Public Hearing Opened:
Seeing and hearing none.
Public Hearing Closed.
Regular Session Opened.
CHAIR FRIEND felt it important to include the third condition of approval
recommended by staff which would require a deed restriction on Lots 2, 3, and
4A, Allman Lalande Subdivision, to ensure that off -site parking would always be
available for the structure on Lot I OA.
COMMISSIONER TURNER MOVED TO AMEND the motion to include the
third condition of approval from the Summary Statement dated May 20, 1997.
3. Failure to record a deed restriction within thirty (30) days (by June 20,
1997) on Lots 2, 3, and 4A, Allman Lalande Subdivision, reserving the
area identified for the ten (10) parking spaces required for the use on Lot
10A, Allman Lalande Subdivision exclusively for this required parking
will invalidate this determination. The ten (10) parking spaces would then
be required to be located, in accordance with the parking area development
standards of KIBC 17.57.080, on Lot IOA.
The motion to amend was seconded and CARRIED by unanimous roll call vote.
P & Z Minutes: May 21, 1997 Page 5 of 9
The question was called and the amended motion CARRIED by unanimous roll
call vote.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A) Cases 95-005 and 96-003. Planning and Zoning Commission review of Category
C parcels (Remote Larsen Bay Tribal Council parcels) of the 1991, 1992, 1993,
and 1994 tax foreclosed properties (Postponed from the December 18, 1996
regular meeting).
BOB SCHOLZE recommended that, based on the Borough Resource
Management Officer's recommendation, action on these cases be postponed until
staff analysis of all information was available and further work was completed.
COMMISSIONER SELIG MOVED TO POSTPONE action to review Category
C parcels (Remote Larsen Bay Tribal Council parcels) of the 1991, 1992, 1993,
and 1994 tax foreclosed properties until staff analysis of all information is
complete.
The motion was SECONDED and CARRIED by unanimous roll call vote.
B) Case 95-023. Planning and Zoning Commission review of additional changes to
Chapter 17.36 (Existing Nonconforming Uses and Structures) of the Borough
Code (Recommended for approval by the Commission on April 30,1997).
LINDA FREED reviewed previous concerns raised regarding nonconforming
residential uses on residentially zoned lots which could occur in a number of
ways. She had submitted revised code language to the Borough attorney for
comments. The Borough attorney recommended several additional changes to the
proposed code revision. He recommended adding a definition section specifying
identifying residential zoning districts and non-residential zoning districts. It was
decided that residential zoning districts included Rl, R2, R3, RR, RRI, RR2,
Wildlife Habitat, Conservation, and Rural Development. Non-residential zoning
districts included Industrial, Light Industrial, Business, Retail Business,
Watershed, Natural Use, Rural Neighborhood Commercial, Urban Neighborhood
Commercial, and Public Lands.
Section B of 17.36.050 currently reads, "Structures containing nonconforming
residential uses, located in a non-residential district, may be expanded as long as
the entire structure meets, at a minimum, the parking and building code
requirements for office or retail use." It was suggested that Section C of
17.36.050 read, "Structures containing nonconforming residential uses, located in
P & Z Minutes: May 2l, 1997 Page 6 of 9
a residential zoning district may only be expanded if the nonconforming use of the
structure, or structures, is eliminated." The commission concurred.
Discussion ensued on section D of 17.36.050. LINDA FREED explained that the
Borough attorney felt comfortable with the first sentence, which translated meant
that a structure could be kept and maintained, but not expanded. He felt the
second sentence was too vague. COMMISSIONER HANCOCK pointed out that
if the Commission were too limiting, health and safety could be jeopardized and
structures containing nonconforming uses could become eyesores. LINDA
FREED suggested that in order to allow repairs but not expansion, the section
could read, "Ordinary repairs including the repair or replacement of walls, door,
windows, fixtures, wiring, and plumbing may be made to structures containing
nonconforming uses." The Commission generally agreed.
The Borough attorney recommended omitting the second sentence in the Intent
statement in section 17.36.020. COMMISSIONER TURNER saw this as a loss to
the code section. COMMISSIONER HANCOCK felt comfortable with the broad
Intent statement since, in her opinion, there were sufficient specific rules that
followed in the body of the Chapter. COMMISSIONER TURNER was
dissatisfied with the Intent statement and wanted further discussion.
COMMISSIONER HANCOCK suggested the Borough attorney be invited to
attend the next worksession and lend guidance to the Commission.
COMMISSIONER TURNER MOVED TO POSTPONE action on additional
changes to Chapter 17.36 (Existing Nonconforming Uses and Structures) of the
Borough Code until the Commission met for further discussion at a worksession.
The motion was SECONDED and CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
IX. COMMUNICATIONS
LINDA FREED pointed out Items E & F as additional Communications items.
COMMISSIONER SCHEIDLER MOVED TO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT of items
A through F of communications. The motion was seconded and CARRIED by
unanimous voice vote.
A) Letter dated April 21, 1997 to John & Margaret Rauwolf from Tom Bouillion,
�. RE: Dilapidated Trailer in Puffin ROW and Junk storage on Lot 2, Block 2,
Woodland Acres 6th Addition
P & Z Minutes: May 21, 1997 Page 7 of 9
B) Laments of a Junker, by Clarence Selig
C) Letter dated May 6, 1997 to Wayne and Marie Coleman from Tom Bouillion,
RE: P&Z Decision on Case 97-001.
D) Letter dated May 6, 1997 to Don Erdman from Tom Bouillion, RE: Construction
without Building or Zoning Compliance Permits on Erdmans #3, Block 3, Allman
Addition; Lot 15, USS 3099; Building #2, Lot 15A, USS 3101.
E) Memo dated May 16, 1997 to Linda Freed from Ron Reimer, RE: Interim Status
Report on BMX Bike Track, P & Z Case 95-008.
F) Anchorage Daily News article dated May 12, 1997 RE: Anchorage's
comprehensive plan and the city's shrinking land supply.
There were no further communications.
X. REPORTS
LINDA FREED reported the following upcoming meetings:
May 28, 1997 - P & Z worksession on the Nonconforming Code Section
June 4, 1997 - Beaver Lake/Horseshoe Lake Watershed Area/Disposal Area Plan
worksession
May 30, 1997 - Oil Spill Sub -Area Planning Meeting in the School District
Conference Room
June 11, 1997 - P & Z Packet Review
June 18, 1997 - Regular P & Z Meeting
The sensitive area maps were taken to Safeway on May 13, 1997, and were well -received.
COMMISSIONER TURNER MOVED TO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT of reports.
The motion was seconded and CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.
There were no further reports.
XI. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
There were no audience comments.
XII. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
P & Z Minutes: May 21, 1997 Page 8 of 9
/^ COMMISSIONER BELL and COMMISSIONER TURNER reminded LINDA FREED
of their scheduled absences in June. COMMISSIONER SELIG said he may also be gone
during June.
XHL ADJOURNMENT
CHAIR FRIEND adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m.
PLANNING
ATTEST
By: Q�c �iwar�
Kim Patterson, Secretary
Community Development Department
DATE APPROVED: June 18, 1997
KODIAK ISLAND
Friend, Chair
P & Z Minutes: May 21, 1997
Page 9 of 9