ITEM TITLE:
Report: Temporary Land Use Permit #19-01 for Copper Valley Telecom for Six Months, for Lots 4 & 5 of Block 2, Robe River Subdivision
SUBMITTED BY: Nicole LeRoy, Planning Technician
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
On March 11, 2019, Planning Department staff received a temporary land use permit application from Copper Valley Telecom for use of 3476 and 3468 Robe Lane (Lots 4 & 5 of Block 2, Robe River Subdivision) owned by the City of Valdez. Copper Valley Telecom has requested use of these parcels for storage of cable reels in conjunction with the installation of fiber optic internet in Robe River Subdivision (see attached application.) The requested area is 42,000 square feet and is seasonally used as a snow removal lot. During the rest of the year, it is vacant. Copper Valley has requested use of the property from May 5th through August 30th.
Public Works Director Rob Comstock, and Parks Maintenance Supervisor Marcie Robertson were solicited for comments on the application (see attached staff comments.) Both expressed no objection to the location, use, and timeframe requested by Copper Valley.
Per Valdez Municipal Code 17.48.140 B 2e, temporary land use permit requests not to exceed six months in duration may only be granted by the Planning and Zoning Commission if the desired use is in conformance with the existing zoning and comprehensive plan. The lots requested are located within the residential mobile home district which permits “utility installations, except solid waste disposal facilities, water disposal facilities, water storage dams and co-generation facilities” as a permitted principal use. In reviewing temporary land use permit application 19-01, staff determined the use requested by Copper Valley to be in accordance with this principal use, especially on a short term and temporary basis. Fees for temporary land use permits were established by City Council with Resolution #12-36 which states that “for permits not exceeding two acres in size and for a period of six months or less, the fee shall be $250 per month; except that a pro-rated daily fee of $9 may be paid in the case where an entire month is not used.” For the period Copper Valley has requested, the permit cost will be $984.00.
On April 10th, 2019 the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve temporary land use permit #19-01. Per Valdez Municipal Code 17.48.140 B2k, this decision is reported to City Council. Only upon no objection from City Council the permit will the permit become effective, after which, staff will prepare a temporary land use permit document using standard language approved by the City attorneys and include any conditions required by the Commission (see attached draft.)