By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka Planning Commission has recommended Assembly approval of an amended floodplain management ordinance that will continue to make all Sitka property owners eligible for subsidized flood insurance under a federal program.
The city has participated in the Federal Emergency Management Agency program since 1982, and last renewed the ordinance required for participation in 2010.
City Building Official Pat Swedeen, who is also the floodplain manager, told the commission Tuesday night that the city’s adoption of the draft Floodplain Management ordinance and regulations by Aug. 1 is required for the city’s continued participation in the National Floodplain Insurance Program.
“If the City and Borough of Sitka did not participate in the NFIP our city as a whole and our citizens individually would not be eligible for federal grants, loans, disaster assistance, or federally backed mortgages,” in the Special Flood Hazard Area shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, Swedeen said in a written explanation. Also, residents would not be eligible for mortgage insurance for buying or building in the flood hazard area.
Flood insurance under the program will be available regardless of whether the insured structure is in the special mapped flood hazard zones, he said.
“Lenders can require flood insurance for structures located in the mapped flood hazard zones regardless of whether the community participates in the NFIP, (and) without NFIP participation obtaining flood insurance can be extremely difficult and costly,” Swedeen said in his memo.
The ordinance will be on the Assembly’s July 9 agenda.
Swedeen said there are 275 structures in the revised Sitka flood hazard zone, with 100 structures added and about the same number removed in the most recent amended map. The map was created using more accurate LiDAR information (Light Detection and Ranging) equipment from 2014, Swedeen said.
Commission members suggested notifying the property owners whose structures are being added and removed, but in general had no problem forwarding a recommendation for approval to the Assembly.
Swedeen said a number of residents have attended public meetings on the subject and talked to him in his office. The city has also been participating in the mapping process and has submitted appeals in cases where the city felt properties were erroneously included in the flood hazard zone.
He said today the city engineering department submitted information about Swan Lake that resulted in the removal of 25 structures around the lake from the flood hazard zone. Other information provided by the engineering department about the airport runway resulted in lowering the hazard level for 25 Alice Loop properties, and removing five structures from the flood hazard zone.
There was no debate about the advisability of recommending Assembly approval of the ordinance.
“The net effect is less expensive insurance is available,” member Randy Hughey said at the meeting Tuesday.
Also voting in favor were Darrell Windsor and Chairman Chris Spivey.
Other Business
Foss Property
The commission postponed a decision on setback variances at 200 Park Street, and asked the property owner to revise plans for their planned home with two dwelling units.
Jacquie and Zack Foss recently purchased the home, located at the corner of Park and Etolin streets. The Planning Department said the couple plans to replace the home on the 4,500 square foot lot, but keep the foundation. They also plan to tear down a shed and build a garage, planning staff said. They have requested reductions in the two front setbacks from 14 feet to 5 feet, and from 14 feet to 2 feet; and in a side setback from 5 to 3 feet.
The department recommended approval of the variances.
“The proposal makes best use of existing foundation on the site, preserves open space on the north side of the lot, and makes better use of vertical building space while still providing for parking,” the staff report said. “Given these factors, and the challenges of the lot’s dimensions, Staff recommends approval of the variance request.”
The staff report recommended a condition that allows for the reconstruction or repair of the home on the existing foundation footprint.
A number of neighbors expressed support for fixing up or replacing the home, but had concerns about plans regarding parking, safety and adding to the density of the neighborhood. One neighbor said the Fosses’ plan “is not what R-1 is about.”
A letter of support for Fosses’ plans was also read by planning staff at the meeting.
The Planning Commission said the lot was a challenging one, given its small size and location on a corner. But members said they had reservations about the proposed setback reductions, and asked for a modified plan.
“My concern is, is this the best plan?” Hughey said. “We have folks who have voiced their concerns, voiced their oppositions.”
Spivey also expressed concerns about the plan.
“I appreciate you want to stay with the original foundation and design,” he said. “However, we have an opportunity to fix a wrong that was let go for many, many years.”
AKO Farms
In other business, the commission members voted 3-0 to recommend approval of a marijuana retail facility at 1210 Beardslee Way to Marty and Liz Martin, Justin Brown and AKO Farms LLC. The owner of the property is Martin Enterprises Inc.
There was no debate or discussion on the issue.
