ITEM TITLE:
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Approval of Land Use of Tract B, USS 455 for a Police Impound Lot and Storage
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SUBMITTED BY: Lisa Von Bargen, CED Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve Land Use of Tract B, USS 455 for a Police Impound Lot and Storage.
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SUMMARY STATEMENT:
On October 12th, 2016 the Planning and Zoning Commission held a work session to discuss junk cars and abandoned vehicles. Bart Hinkle, the City of Valdez Police Chief, was at the work session to discuss the specific issue of enforcement of Valdez Municipal Code, Chapter 10.12 Parking. The code states that any vehicle in violation may be impounded by the city. The city does not have a proper place to impound vehicles, rendering enforcement of the code ineffective. This is specifically problematic with regard to vehicles in the street impeding snow removal. Chief Hinkle also addressed the need for storage space for vehicles impounded and held for active investigations or pending police cases.
During the work session, the Commission identified the immediate need for an impound and storage location as the top propriety for staff deliverables. In considering a location for an impound lot, staff looked for the several defining characteristics. Tract B, USS 455 meets the needed criteria for an impound/storage lot based on size, proximity to town, plow-ability, inconspicuousness, and ability to block access to the general public.
In reviewing specific land-use approvals staff utilizes the goals, objectives, policies, and standards in the City of Valdez Comprehensive Plan for guidance on recommended land use.
The land use goal in the comprehensive plan states the following:
Goal - Land Use: Provide a community land use pattern that is compatible with existing land use patterns in the community, which is physically safe, environmentally sensitive, and consistent with the provisions and requirements of the Vald...
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