04/24/1967 SMKODAK PISL ID tORQIUGH () 1 9 9 `4
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING - April 24, 1967
ASSEMBLY AND ZONING COMMISSION
I CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.me in the Magistrate's Courtroom,
Donnelley Building, Kodiak, Alaska, by Assembly Presiding Officer Lester.
II ROLL CALL
Present Absent
Wilton T. White, Chairr:^n Henry Breckberg
Elden Lester, Presiding Officer
Donald Arndt
James Barr
Mrs. Jo Hajdu
Norman Sutliff
Also present: Doug Preston, Clerk; Ralph Val?-__;ra, Assessor; Sam Best,
Ordinance Committee chairman; Jim Stansbury, Building
Inspector; Sally Hendrix, Secretary, taking minutes; and
approximately 9 in the audience.
III ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
A. Expansion of Business District. Mr. Hansen opened the discussion. He stated
that the Commission had chosen the Tagura Road area as a logical expansion
for the business district because it is already spotted with several
businesses and because, although there are some new homes in the area, for
the most part it needs considerable improvement. They felt that it would be
more favorable an area than Mill Bay Road because of the lack of utilities in
the latter area. The Commission feels that although this area might not
necessarily be the right one, more business area should be planned for, and
if the Assembly still felt that this area was not suitable, they should
propose another area. Mr. Hansen further suggested that if a long -range
planning expert were to select an area for the growth of Kodiak's business
district, he might choose this area. If the Borough keeps the attitude that
no rezoning will be done if there are any objections to it, no long -range
plan could ever be accomplished, since there will always be some objections.
Mr. Barr then commented on the rezoning. He felt that there is no justifica-
tion in asking for a change this radical at the present time. He stated that
there are even people backing out of their present commitments to rebuild in
the Urban Renewal area. He pointed out that even though the Urban Renewal
property is very expensive, it is ready to be used, with sewer and water
available. He felt that the property beyond Tagura is not suitable because
it is so steep, and cannot be reached from Mission Road. However, he felt
that the area on Tagura, which is flatter land, would be more suitable. Mr.
Barr also felt that the present 1980 Plan should be followed as closely as
possible until it can be replaced by a new plan. It outlines the Island Lake
area and from the Cutoff Road along Mill Bay Road as business areas. It was
pointed out that sewer and water are not available in these areas.
Mr. White commented that the industry in Kodiak has far outgrown the 1980
Plan, and this is what has caused the swift growth of Kodiak. He stated
that if the city is to grow, plans must be made for expansion of the
business area. He commented that the 1980 Plan may be taken as an overall
guide, but that some areas must be completely re- evaluated.
There were various other comments made. Mr. Hansen suggested extending
Tagura Road on out the dedicated right-of-way to join Mission Road at 6th
Street. Mr. Williams suggested that rezoning the Tagura Road area might
upgrade it faster than leaving it as is. It was suggested that perhaps
another area would be more suitable for business expansion, such as from the
Berg building on out the Base Road, but it was felt there would be just as
many objections from residents of that area. Mr. Sutliff commented that when
the waterfront area along Tagura Road had been set aside as an industrial
area for canneries, it was felt that it would be logical to have businesses
across Tagura Road from the industrial area. Mrs. Hajdu stated that it
didn't make sense to have a residential area bordering an industrial area,
and that people should not be encouraged to build homes there when it is
hoped that more - canneries -will •locate there. if the - area ._is zoned business
now, then people will not be able to people new homes there, only to have to
relocate later on. It was agreed that the shore area must be reserved for
new canneries. It was pointed out that the area further out Mission Road
to the Leite Addition is fine residential property because of the view, and
JOINT S L A D ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - April 24, 1967 2
that it is too steep to be used as a business area. Mr. Hansen and Mrs.
Hajdu felt that it could be used for apartments.
After considerably more discussion and map study, it was agreed that another
attemtp should be made to rezone a smaller portion of the aeaa which was
originally proposed. Mr. Barr commented that if the area develops rapidly,
then it can be expanded further. The Zoning Commission will further define
the boundaries of the area at their next meeting.
B. Exception to Parking Requirements Granted to Ron Ball for Bunkhouse,
Restaurant and Bar - Townsite Blk 18 Lot 19 (Case 155 -B). Mr. Hansen explained
that there was no provision in the ordinance for parking requirements for a
bunkhouse or dormitory -- therefore the requirements for a hotel are used.
However, the people using these facilities are cannery workers and very seldom
own cars. Since the requirements were being met for the restaurant and bar,
with some spaces left over for the bunkhouse as well, the Commission had
granted the exception. it was not the intent of the Commission to include
Mr. Ball's Hertz car rental business in the exception. The Commission
agrees that there is a parking problem in the area, but does not feel that
Mr. Ball's establishment will add to it. If Mr. Ball eventually finds that
he does not have sufficient parking space, he will have to purchase more
land to provide it.
It was agreed that the biggest parking problem in the area is that of the
fishermen's cars, and also the cannery employees. A solution must be found
for these problems, but individuals opening establishments in the area should
not be required to provide parking for these other cars. Mr. Lester pointed
out that the Kodiak Inn had not anticipated parking problems, which it now
has, and felt that Mr. Ball might also have a problem later on. However, he
did not wish to hold up Mr. Ball's construction. The other Assemblymen
concurred, and Mr. Barr stated that he would withdraw his appeal to the
decision on the exception. Mr. Hansen suggested that the ordinance be
amended to include different parking requirements for rooming houses.
C. Resignation of Mr. Breckberg from Zoning Commission. Mr. Hansen presented
Mr. Breckberg's resignation which was read by Mr. White. Mr. Hansen requested
that an appointment be made to fill the vacancy. Mr. White asked for
suggestions and Herb Richmon's name was mentioned. Mr. White inquired if
the group was sufficiently large, and Mr. Hansen replied that he thought it
should be larger, and that he would appreciate the participation of the
Comprehensive Planning Commission.
D. Comprehensive Plan and Expert Planner. It was agreed that the Borough should
have an expert long -range planner, but that it must be someone who will
remain on the staff to put the plan into effect. Mr. Sutliff stated that the
planners who worked on the 1980 Plan were experienced and had good ideas, but
left when they had drawn up the plan. Mrs. Hajdu felt that even a specialist
would still have to depend on the local people for recommendations. Mr.
White stated that the Federal Government will not give Kodiak any grants for
water or sewer work until a nww Comprehensive Plan has been established, but
that neither will they provide a grant to accomplish a new Plan. For this
reason, other means are being sought to accomplish a Plan, such as through
a private planning firm. It may be more expensive, but it does not look as
if funds are going to come through from ASHA, and even if they did, it would
probably be 1970 before the Plan were completed.
E. Future Joint Meetings. It was agreed that future joint meetings would be
worthwhile. The Zoning Commission was invited to attend a meeting with the
Assembly and representatives from the Division of Lands to discuss various
problems in Bells Flats on Wednesday, May 3, at 9:00 a.m.
IV ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
APPROVED:
,), ( ,t7„, -kAka5
Wilton T. White (Arnold Hansen
Borough Chairman
Zoning Commission Chairman