Planning Commission

CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Minutes - Final Planning Commission Wednesday, February 1, 2023 7:00 PM Harrigan Centennial Hall I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Present: Stacy Mudry (Acting Chair), Wendy Alderson, Chris Spivey (telephonic), Thor Christianson (Assembly liaison) Excused: Darrell Windsor, Katie Riley Staff: Amy Ainslie, Kim Davis, Coral Crenna Public: Robert Miller, Camilla Brooks, Travis Miller, Ariadne Will (Sitka Sentinel) Acting Chair Mudry called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM II. CONSIDERATION OF THE AGENDA III. CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES A PM 23-02 M-Spivey/S-Alderson moved to approve the January 18, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion passed 3-0 by voice vote. IV. PERSONS TO BE HEARD V. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT Ainslie reported the Planning Department was now fully staff and introduced Coral Crenna to the commission. Ainslie was also please to announce that after four years of work by the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) and the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT), CBS would be getting a left turn lane at the Lincoln Street and Lake Street intersection. DOT was in charge of the intersection as it was a state highway and planned to complete the work by May 2023. VI. REPORTS VII. THE EVENING BUSINESS B CUP 23-04 Ainslie introduced a conditional use permit for a bed and breakfast (B&B) at 306 Nicole Drive. The applicant was looking to purchase the property to serve as his primary residence. The house had five bedrooms, three bathrooms; three bedrooms upstairs would be available for guests with the two bedrooms downstairs reserved for the applicant and his family. The main clientele for the property would be the applicant’s CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 Planning Commission Minutes - Final February 1, 2023 charter fishing clients but the B&B would be available year-round. Traffic impacts would be moderate as the clients would be transported in a van. This was already a moderately dense neighborhood with a far amount of traffic in general. Noise would be monitored by the applicant with quiet hours at 10PM. There would also be no fish processing on site and an extra freezer would be installed to hold food waste until trash pickup. Staff recommended approval. The applicant Robert Miller was present. Miller would be providing a cook for continental breakfasts and possibly some dinners, lunches would be made on the boat as part of the charter operations. Miller would be hiring a cleaner to make the beds in the mornings and would also schedule a free day in between guests to prepare for the arrival. Spivey clarified with the applicant that if he wished to expand beyond three bedrooms or if he moved out of the residence the conditional use permit would no longer be valid. Miller understood these limitations and voiced that if he was in a position to expand his operations in the future, he would be looking for a commercial property to utilize. A letter was read into public comment from Scott Wagner who was supportive of the application. The applicant living onsite had alleviated his concerns about noise and appreciated their willingness to work with the neighbors if there were any issues. Commissioners discussed the intensity of use with charter clients and the other additional staff/services that would be involved and whether it was a good fit for the R-1 zone. Ultimately, concerns were mitigated by the presence of the applicant on site and the fact that the neighborhood was supportive. M-Alderson/S-Spivey moved to approve the conditional use permit for a bed and breakfast at 306 Nicole Drive in the R-1-single-family and duplex residential district subject to the attached conditions of approval. The property was also known as Lot A, Pete Jones Subdivision. The request was filed by Robert Justin Miller. The owner of record was Nathaniel Burling. Motion passed 3-0 by voice vote. M-Alderson/S-Spivey moved to adopt and approve the required findings for conditional use permits as listed in the staff report. Motion passed 3-0 by voice vote. C CUP 23-05 Ainslie introduced a conditional use permit for a short-term rental (STR) at 311 B Peterson Avenue. The applicants would be utilizing the one-bedroom apartment on the first floor of their duplex. The unit had one bedroom and one bathroom. The property was well buffered with natural vegetation at the front and rear of property as well as privacy fencing. Noise would be monitored by the applicants with quiet hours listed as 10 PM to 6 AM. It was suggested by staff for renters to access Peterson Avenue via Halibut Point Road, Edgecumbe Drive, or Lake Street to minimize traffic on Cascade Street. Staff recommended approval. The applicant Travis Miller was present. Alderson asked if trash would be stored inside in the storage room or in between the fence. Miller stated trash would be stored in the fenced area and would not be placed out until trash pickup due to the bear activity in the area and said they would clarify trash instructions in the renter handout. Spivey also agreed with the suggested use of renters not using Cascade Street and Miller stated they would provide directions to renters to avoid using Cascade Street. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 Planning Commission Minutes - Final February 1, 2023 M-Alderson/S-Spivey moved to approve the conditional use permit for a short-term rental at 311 B Peterson Avenue in the R-1-single-family and duplex residential district subject to the attached conditions of approval. The property was also known as Lot 7, Block 'A' Moore Memorial Addition. The request was filed by Michelle Snowden and Travis Miller. The owners of record were Michelle Snowden and Travis Miller. Motion passed 3-0 by voice vote. M-Alderson/S-Spivey moved to adopt and approve the required findings for conditional use permits as listed in the staff report. Motion passed 3-0 by voice vote. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Seeing no objection, Acting Chair Mudry adjourned the meeting at 7:35 PM CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3