Ordinance Advances On Recreation Land

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Category: News

Created on Wednesday, 15 January 2025 14:55

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By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    The Assembly passed a commercial recreational land use permit ordinance on first reading Tuesday night, after extending the effective date to November 1.
    As presented, the permit ordinance would have been in effect this summer, but after hearing Assembly members’ concerns at a previous meeting, the city officials who drafted the ordinance proposed the November date. After approving that change the Assembly voted 5-0 to pass the measure on first reading. The vote on final approval is scheduled for Jan. 28.

Klaudia Leccese Holds a citizen initiative petition booklet and a sign this afternoon on Lincoln Street. The petition calls for a public vote on a measure to put limits on cruise ship traffic in Sitka. She says the Small Town Soul group has gathered about half of the required signatures. She says one way to sign the petition is to leave a message on the website smalltownsoul.org to meet with a signature gatherer. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

    The purpose of the ordinance is to develop a new permit system for commercial operators on city recreational lands, including Thimbleberry and Heart Lake trails, Swan Lake, and special use areas such as Baranof Warm Springs and Goddard Hot Springs.
    Planning Department and city parks and recreation staff said the goals of the ordinance are to modernize and streamline the permitting process, and establish target levels of commercial uses for recreational areas.
    Planning Director Amy Ainslie said the goal is to be more systematic about what areas the city issues permits for, making sure that there’s “a robust public process” and that there are clear objective measures to determine how permits are granted, particularly in the light of the growth of the tourism industry.
    The ordinance is the result of months of work, and review by the public and Parks and Rec Committee. After the December meeting on the ordinance, Ainslie said that the later implementation and effective dates would allow more time for review and ensure success of the new system.
    Some of the proposed changes to the permit system relate to updating carrying capacity and fees charged to operators, and responding to comments by residents about increased commercial use of popular local recreational sites. A number of operators testified at the last Assembly meeting when this was discussed, but the Assembly heard from only one operator at the meeting Tuesday.
    Bethany Lowrance, owner of High Output Tours, objected to the 60-day permit process since it would create “barriers to flexibility and adaptation for businesses aiming for a January start date.” She suggested an October effective date.
    She also said it made sense to streamline the process for returning operators with a proven track record. In addition, she asked the Assembly to consider changing the ordinance as it relates to transferability of permits in the event of a permit holder’s death.
    Lowrance objected to the requirement for tour guides to carry physical copies of permits and wear visible badges at all times, noting that there were no plans for enforcement. “Sitka’s tourism industry thrives on hospitality, professionalism and respect, and we should adopt policies that reflect those values, rather than undermine them,” she said.
    Ainslie said the permit terms are for one year at this time, consistent with existing code, but staff would like to work toward a goal of issuing multiyear permits down the road.
    Ainslie addressed how the ordinance would apply if a permit holder died in the middle of the season. “I don’t think this provision prevents us from providing some flexibility there, if they were going to operate under the same terms and provisions of the original permit,” she said.
    The Assembly in general was supportive of the ordinance, particularly with the new effective date putting it into effect for the 2026 season.
    In other business Tuesday night the Assembly appointed Sterling Camden to the Health Needs and Human Services Commission, and updated the code related to the duties of the Library Commission.
    The Assembly also passed on first reading a supplemental budget appropriation of $17,830 for the expense of the special election that would be held if the required minimum of 613 signatures are collected by March 30 on the initiative petition to place limits on cruise ship tourism.
    The Assembly postponed action on the legislative priorities list, since the member requesting changes was not present.
    Assembly members attending the meeting were Tim Pike, Scott Saline, Chris Ystad, Kevin Mosher and Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz. Thor Christianson and JJ Carlson were absent.