By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka Planning Commission on Wednesday moved forward on a minor subdivision that will allow Hanson Maritime to take ownership of the old utility dock and tidelands for an expanded maritime services business at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park.
The Assembly has already approved the sales agreement for the property, but the Planning Commission must also have two public hearings and approve the plat for the subdivision. The vote was 4-0 to grant preliminary plat approval. Commission members present were Victor Weaver, Stacy Mudry, Randy Hughey and Darrell Windsor. Windsor presided as chairman in Chris Spivey’s absence.
The minor subdivision calls for dividing GPIP lot 9A into two lots. The portion to be sold to Hanson Maritime Company is 17,630 square feet, and the other lot is 133,876 square feet.
The item will be up for public hearing and final plat approval at the commission’s Dec. 18 meeting.
Also on Wednesday, the commission discussed two action plans related to so-called “tiny homes” as an affordable housing option, and the master plan for No Name Mountain.
No Name Mountain Master Plan
Panel members reviewed topographical maps, aerial photographs, and the layout of the area, and discussed the potential for developing the 800-acre parcel for industrial, commercial and residential purposes. The property stretches from the Halibut Point Recreation Area to the Starrigavan boat launch, on the uplands side of HPR.
The city has hired Scott Brylinsky to serve both as project manager on the No Name Mountain master plan, and as a consultant on “tiny homes” and smaller dwellings as affordable housing options. He asked for feedback on a number of questions related to both topics.
After receiving some anecdotal comments from panel members and the public about the No Name Mountain area, Planning Director Amy Ainslie said the idea of the master plan is to take a “big picture” approach, recognize what opportunities are available in the area, and have a sequence for development. The city has selected a company to guide the master plan on No Name Mountain, and a kickoff meeting will take place in early 2020.
Planning Commission members said the city’s immediate need seemed to be for quarried rock for construction projects, but also for land for commercial, industrial and residential uses. There were also comments from the public about past analyses and studies of the area, and an assessment on the quality of the rock resources.
“Getting rock is the first priority,” Windsor said, noting road and hospital construction projects coming up. “We need rock.” His comment was echoed by others.
Kevin Mosher, the Assembly member who is the liaison to the commission, said the Assembly will need major public participation, given the importance of the area to the future development of the town.
“It’s not a decision seven people can make on their own,” he said. “We want as much public involvement as possible.”
Assembly member Richard Wein, participating from the public, identified one of the hurdles as “allowing the city to make money from this and stop the giveaway mentality that seems to be part and parcel of transactional events.”
“That is a hurdle that needs to be addressed, not only in planning,” he said. “The city needs to develop a revenue stream. It may not seem like a hurdle but it certainly is ... How is it going to benefit the city?”
Hughey commented that he would like clarification on the actual name of the mountain, and use the proper Tlingit name if possible.
Tiny Homes
The commission and Brylinsky also are working on the issue of tiny homes and smaller dwellings as options for affordable housing.
“You can’t control the cost of building materials, you can’t control the cost of labor, you can’t control the cost of shipping,” Brylinsky said. “But we have total control over the zoning code.”
The Assembly’s draft action plan asked for feedback from the commission on ideas such as changing residential lot sizes, building codes and the section in the Sitka General Code on mobile and manufactured homes.
Brylinsky said the demographic he’s considering in the discussion is on residents in the 20- to 30-year-old range, who may come to Sitka as visitors or interns who “can’t get a toe-hold because housing is so darn expensive.”
The next discussion on the issue will include more formal proposals that address how city code could be changed to allow tiny homes in mobile home parks, either with wheels or without, and hooked up to utilities.
Mosher commented, “I’m excited about tiny homes - they’re not for everyone. ... This could be a good way to get people coming to Sitka for a job. Tiny homes seem to be a growing trend; I’m excited it’s being considered.”
