By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka Planning Commission Wednesday approved a new short-term rental permit at 1710 Halibut Point Road.
The applicant, Ocean Mayo, asked for a conditional use permit for a short-term rental for a 2-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom dwelling unit, of which he plans to use one bedroom for his personal use, and rent out the other room, for a maximum of two guests.
“As the applicant’s primary residence, the property will be made available to renters while the applicant is commercial fishing,” the information packet says.
Mayo told the commission he has hired a professional manager to oversee the rental.
In recommending approval of the conditional use permit, Sitka Planning Director Amy Ainslie said the proposal is an “excellent example” of an ideal short-term rental, since it will not displace housing from the long-term rental market because the owner still lives there, and will provide extra income for the owner to continue living here.
In reviewing the proposed letter to prospective renters of the short-term unit, Planning Commission member Wendy Alderson noted the section related to garbage and bears. She suggested Mayo advise the tenant to keep garbage indoors until they leave, “if possible.”
The meeting lasted about 15 minutes.
At the outset of the meeting, Ainslie updated the groups on two projects:
– A request for proposals has been issued by the public works department for operation and management of a 5.9-acre overburden site at Granite Creek. The site, on city-owned property, is needed because the current overburden site is reaching capacity. The deadline for responses is December 15.
– a request for proposals has been issued for developing 17 acres of city property at 4951 Halibut Point Road. The property may be purchased for residential use, or leased if used for commercial, recreational or industrial purposes. A “Request for Information” was issued by the city on July 22, resulting in three responses, proposing residential, commercial and tourism uses. The planning department used information from the responses to craft the request for proposals. The responses are due by February 2.
Both RFPs can be reached on the “Bids and RFPs” link on the right side of the cityofsitka.com page.
(The request for information responses were discussed by the Assembly in executive session on September 8 to maintain confidentiality and competitiveness for future RFP bids by the responders, Ainslie said today.)
The next regular meeting of the commission is set Jan. 20, 2021.
