By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka Planning Director Amy Ainslie announced Wednesday that the Alaska Department of Transportation has approved creation of a left-turn lane at the stoplight at Lake and Lincoln Street.
Ainslie made the announcement at the start of the Planning Commission’s regular meeting. She said the improvement is the result of four years of work by the city with the DOT. The agency is in charge of the intersection because Harbor Drive/Lake Street is a state highway.
In the evening’s regular business, the commission unanimously approved permits for a short-term rental and a bed and breakfast.
Only three members of the commission were present — acting Chair Stacy Mudry and Wendy Alderson, who attended in person, and Chris Spivey, who attended via Zoom. Assembly liaison Thor Christianson also attended in person.
The permit for a bed and breakfast was issued to R.J. Miller, who is intending to buy the single family home at 306 Nicole Drive, which is in the R-1 single family and duplex residential district.
Miller operates a charter business, and said the bed and breakfast will cater to those same customers. He said the house will be his primary residence and his family would live in the two-bedroom lower unit while the three-bedroom unit on the second floor would be available year-round for the bed and breakfast operation.
He said he plans to hire a cleaner to make the beds in the mornings, and that he has scheduled a free day between customers to prepare for the next guests.
One public comment was received in support of the bed and breakfast.
The commission approved a conditional use permit for a short-term rental in the downstairs unit of a duplex at 311 Peterson Avenue – in the R-1 single family and duplex residential district – owned by Michelle Snowden and Travis Miller.
Ainslie said in her staff report that the unit is a good match for a short-term rental. She cited the low density of short-term rentals in the neighborhood, plenty of parking, and good buffers as reasons the staff recommended approval on the item.
