By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Planning Commission unanimously passed two items of business at their regular meeting Wednesday.
Chairman Chris Spivey and Wendy Alderson were absent. Darrell Windsor, Stacy Mudry, and Katie Riley were present.
A conditional use permit for the construction of an outdoor amphitheater was issued to Shee Atiká Inc. and Adventure Sitka.
The amphitheater is to be part of an adventure park to be built at 4951 Halibut Point Road, in the R - Recreation district.
Caroline Storm, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of the applicant, said the structure will provide seating for 150 people, and that it may be available for rental purposes in the off-season.
An amendment was made to the permit that requires park operators to provide offsite parking and transportation to the venue, if more than 60 people are expected to attend an event. As planned, the site has parking for around 40 vehicles.
In a second piece of business, a zoning variance was issued to SEARHC for their property at 300 Airport Road, the entrance to the consortium’s campus on Japonski Island.
It will allow placement of a monument sign with direct lighting that exceeds the maximum allowable size for signs in the P-Public Lands zone.
City Planning Director Amy Ainslie explained that the existing sign uses only indirect lighting and is on property owned by the hospital, not the city. The variance accompanies permission SEARHC has received to move the sign onto city property bordering the road. The result – thanks to the variance – will be a sign that’s easier to read because of the improved lighting and a location closer to the road, Ainslie said.
Another item on the agenda, a discussion on the Planning Commission’s structure and opportunities for streamlining it, was postponed. Assembly member Thor Christianson, who was to direct the discussion, asked that it be moved to a later date, as only three commissioners were present at the Wednesday meeting.
