By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing the short-term rental of both sides of a duplex on Cascade Creek Road.
In other business the commission approved a zoning variance to reduce a front setback, a platting variance to reduce minimum lot sizes for a minor subdivision, and a preliminary plat for a minor subdivision to result in two lots.
A conceptual review of a condominium plat was presented to the commission, but did not require a vote.
All business at Wednesday’s meeting was passed unanimously by the bare quorum of Chris Spivey, Darrell Windsor, and Stacy Mudry. Wendy Alderson and Katie Riley were absent and excused.
Also at the meeting, city Public and Government Relations Director Melissa Henshaw gave a presentation on the Sitka Strategic Plan.
Short-Term Rental
A conditional use permit for a short-term rental at 2016 A & B Cascade Creek Road was issued to James Sturm and Dan Williams. The duplex is located in the R-1 single-family and duplex residential district.
According to a short-term rental density map presented at the meeting, the two rentals would be the only two active short-term rental units on the street.
Planning Director Amy Ainslie told the commission that while staff recommended approval, having two units in an area approved at one time might give cause for discussion.
Commissioners floated the idea of limiting the applicants to using only one unit at a time as a short-term rental, but did not add a condition of approval.
As issued, up to 12 short-term guests may be on the property at one time, six on each side of the duplex.
The applicants said they are working to make the place one that caters to families. Williams said the project started when he and his family began coming to Sitka and had trouble finding a place to stay that fit their needs. He and Sturm indicated that the duplex would be used heavily by family and friends visiting town.
A condition of approval regarding trash handling was added to the permit following a public comment from neighbor Chad Goeden. Under the condition of approval, the applicants will construct a shed on the property where trash can be stored prior to pickup day. The neighborhood has had recurring trouble with bears getting into trash.
Conceptual Condominium Plat
Ainslie presented a conceptual review of a condominium plat at 631 Alice Loop in a Waterfront District.
The property is owned by SEARHC, which has built a seven-unit structure on the site.
Under existing permit and code restrictions, SEARHC can make the units available only as rentals. With approval of a condominium plat, SEARHC would be able to sell the individual apartments to occupants.
SEARHC representative Maegan Bosak told the panel that the possibility of condominiums was not in the cards when the health consortium applied for the permits to build the seven-unit housing structure last year.
She said the health consortium has been moving through the requirements for Indian Health Services funding, which has led to the planning of housing units available for sale. She said the selling of the units would likely be a few years down the road.
Bosak told commissioners that the condos would be managed and maintained by SEARHC, and that she would serve as the secretary of the homeowners association.
Ainslie said that condominiums are allowed as a conditional use in the zone, and approval of homeowner association documents would be part of the permitting process. She said also that the condominium plat — but not the conditional use permit — would need approval by the Assembly as well as the Planning Commission.
No vote was needed on the agenda item.
Other Business
The commission issued a zoning variance to reduce the front setback from 14 feet to 3 feet, 4 inches at 5318 Halibut Point Road in the R-1 single family and duplex residential district.
Property owner and applicant Raymond Wampler obtained a setback variance from the commission last year, but realized later he needed a larger setback.
Wampler has plans to build a single family house on the property, part of which is a steep hillside. He said that he planned to build into the hillside, but found when he began construction that the hillside is actually rock. He said it made more sense to further reduce the front setback than to blast any rock.
Commissioners also approved a platting variance to reduce minimum lot sizes for a minor subdivision, and a preliminary plat for a minor subdivision to result in two lots at 728 Indian River Road. The property is located in the R-2 MHP multifamily and mobile home district.
Applicant Brett Haavig appeared before the commission in the spring with a conceptual plat to gauge the commission’s interest and support of the subdivision. He intends to build two single-family homes on the lots.
The commission said Haavig’s venture looks like a good opportunity for creating additional housing, and they had few concerns, given that Indian River Subdivision has been platted to encourage the construction of zero lot lines.
Strategic Plan
The commission heard a short presentation by Melissa Henshaw on the Sitka Strategic Plan.
Henshaw said the plan aims to craft a guide for how the city government serves the people of Sitka.
She said she’s visiting all the city’s commissions and boards to ask members a couple of questions about what it means to live in Sitka and how the city could better serve its citizens.
The plan will begin development in July and will go before the Assembly in August.
Henshaw said all Sitkans are invited to take part in developing the plan. A survey is available at SitkaGrowingTheFutureTogether.org.
