TRUCK FIRE – Firefighters knock down a fire in a Ford Explorer truck in Arrowhead Trailer Park in the 1200 block of Sawmill Creek Road Saturday evening. One person received fire-related injuries and was taken to the hospital, Sitka Fire Department Chief Craig Warren said, and the truck was considered a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Warren said. The fire hall received the call about the fire at 5:33 p.m., and one fire engine with eight firefighters and an ambulance were dispatched, he said. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
Planners Pass Rules For High Risk Zones
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka Planning Commission narrowly endorsed a new “critical areas” ordinance on Tuesday that will go before the Assembly for public hearing and approval May 9 and 23.
The critical-areas ordinance was proposed in reaction to the August 2015 landslides on Kramer Avenue that took three lives and destroyed property there and in several areas of town.
The ordinance in general sets new standards for development on land where landslide risks have been identified. The ordinance, if approved by the Assembly, will require those wanting to develop areas identified as at high or moderate risk of landslides to complete further geotechnical surveys and mitigate risks.
Alternatively, they could sign a waiver saying they understand the risks and release the city from liability.
It was the third time the commission has reviewed the ordinance, with planning staff returning each meeting with answers to members’ questions. Staff has said the ordinance tries to protect the public while also allowing for development.
The vote was 3-2.
“I’m 100 percent behind it, personally,” Darrell Windsor said.
“It’s well thought out and the best we can do. Let’s move it forward to the Assembly,” agreed Randy Hughey.
They and Dick Parmelee voted in favor. Debra Pohlman and Chairman Chris Spivey voted against.
Concerns brought up in the past include the homeowners’ ability to get landslide and debris flow insurance in moderate and high risk zones, and whether land being labeled moderate or high risk will affect residents’ ability to get a mortgage.
Short-Term Rentals
The commission approved short- term rentals at 112 Toivo Circle, 103 Scarlett Way and 1703 Edgecumbe Drive.
Only one was discussed at length, for Toivo Circle, requested by John and Alison Dunlap. Neighbors expressed concern about setting a precedent for the neighborhood, and the fact that the permit would run in perpetuity, after the Dunlaps have sold their house.
In response to neighbors’ worries about trash attracting bears, and about parking off site on the narrow dead-end road, planning staff included strict conditions in the permit. The Dunlaps are required to keep trash in the garage or bear proof canisters, and all parking shall be onsite. If they violate either condition, the permit will be revoked.
The Dunlaps said they wouldn’t mind withdrawing the permit when the house is sold, but Planning and Community Development Director Mike Scarcelli said they are under no obligation to do so.
The planning department has been updating the panel in recent months about the number of short-term rentals, and plans to bring back a discussion on short-term rentals: whether to limit them to certain areas or zones, and whether the increase in the number of short-term rentals is causing long-term rents to go up.
Scarcelli said today that “there is some evidence of an 8 to 10 percent increase, but one, is this accurate data, or is it skewed by small sample size? And two, whether the causal factor for the increase is by short-term rentals, and taking them off the market.”
Other Business
In other business, the commission:
– approved a final plat for a planned unit development at 1306 Halibut Point Road, to the Sitka Community Land Trust. The original plans approved about a year ago called for six lots, which has been amended to accommodate seven. SCLT plans to construct 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom homes on substandard-size lots for qualified buyers. The property was set aside by voters about a decade ago for affordable housing and sold to SCLT for a nominal fee.
The vote was 3-1 on the final plat, which goes next to the Assembly for final approval. Chris Spivey voted against, and Randy Hughey recused himself since he is on the SCLT board. Others said they believe there had been general consensus about the affordable housing/affordable home ownership project, and thought this was a good test of the concept.
Spivey said he’s heard from people who are opposed to the project, saying it didn’t work as an affordable housing project, and not the best use of the property in that location.
– approved on a 5-0 vote a final plat of a minor subdivision at 180 Price Street, requested by Jeremy Twaddle.
– put off a decision for a month to consider a conditional use permit for a marijuana consumption lounge at 1321 Sawmill Creek Road Suite K, filed by Michelle Cleaver for Weed Dudes. The company’s retail business is up and running, and Cleaver would like customers to be allowed to consume onsite. The state keeps delaying requests for onsite consumption, but Cleaver would like approval of the permit at the city level so she can continue work at the site, and be ready when state approval is granted. The panel voted to postpone a decision until its May meeting. A neighbor objected in writing, saying it’s a bad location for the activity, and proposed alternative solutions.
– approved a major amendment to a conditional use permit, allowing Aaron Bean of Green Leaf LLC to expand his marijuana cultivation operation at 4614 HPR, property owned by Conner and Valorie Nelson.
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Businesses using the Centennial Hall parking lot testified Tuesday against a proposal to charge them rent in addition to the $200 annual permit fee. City Administrator Hugh Bevan made the proposal in response to the Assembly’s direction to Centennial Hall manager Don Kluting to try to close the $340,000 gap between building revenues and operational costs.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand President William S. Paul Sr. will be special guest and speaker at the local ANB, Alaska Native Sisterhood Founders Day program Monday at the ANB Hall.