ITEM TITLE:
Approval of Preliminary Plat for ASLS 2017-66. Applicant - State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining Land and Water. A Depiction of ADL 232974.
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nylund - Senior Planner/GIS Technician
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Preliminary Plat for ASLS 2017-66.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land and Water, has applied for a subdivision within Protracted Sections 17, 19, 20, 29 & 30 of Tract A, Township 9 South, Range 6 West, Copper River Meridian, Alaska, Valdez Recording District. This survey, known as ASLS-2017-66, is also being concurrently reviewed by the AK DNR Survey Section as ADL #232974.
Randal H Brinker, of R & M Consultants, Inc., is the surveyor on this project. Gwen Gervelis, the Chief of the Survey Section of the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land and Water, is the signatory on this subdivision.
This survey represents a private non-exclusive access easement encompassing the facilities of the Allison Creek Hydroelectric System, including the dam, penstock, power plant, access road and transmission line. The survey work has been completed.
Randal H Brinker, of R & M Consultants, Inc., is the surveyor on this project. Gwen Gervelis, the Chief of the Survey Section of the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land and Water, is the signatory on this subdivision.
Request for Design Variance - Lot Dimensions.
Per VMC, the Planning & Zoning Commission is given the authority to grant waivers via the platting process.
VMC 16.04.060 Variances.
When, in the judgment of the commission, it would be inappropriate to apply literally a provision of this title the commission may waive or vary such provisions so that substantial justice may be done and the public interest secured; provided, that in no event shall the requirement of filing and recording the plat or survey map be waived.
The shape of this proposed parcel is irregular compared to the typical shape and dimensions of lots within the City of Valdez. VMC 16.16 addresses design standards. This subdivision meets these standards, with the exception of:
VMC 16.16.030 Design - Lot Dimensions
D) The width of a lot shall be at least one-third the depth of the lot.
The parcel resulting parcel, ASLS 2017-66, is approximately 100’ wide and 10,000 feet long, which is well outside of the prescribed 1:3 width/depth ratio. This is a unique project and the boundaries and area are determined by the facilities of the Allison Creek Hydroelectric System, including the dam, penstock, power plant, access road and transmission line. The location of this project is not in a developed area, and there are no foreseen issues with other nearby parcels or property owners being affected by the irregular shape of ASLS 2017-66.
We recommend that a variance of VMC 16.16.030 be granted for this subdivision.
VMC 16.04.090 Notification requirements.
A. A notice shall be sent by mail at least ten days prior to the first scheduled meeting of the Planning and Zoning commission to consider the preliminary plat approval to each owner of property within a distance of three hundred feet of the exterior boundary of the lot or parcel described in the application for subdivision.
B. Consideration of Evidence. The Planning and Zoning commission shall hear and consider evidence and facts from any person during preliminary and final plat approval or written communication from any person relative to the matter. The right of any person to present evidence shall not be denied for the reason that any such person was not required to be informed of such subdivision of land.
Notice was sent to all property owners within 300 feet of the property per Section 16.04.090 of the Valdez Municipal Code on December 16th, 2019. (see attached 300 Radius Mailing)
Staff has not received any comments from neighbors, utilities, or other notified agencies on the subdivision. Staff recommends the Planning & Zoning Commission grant preliminary approval of the plat.