[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6655586,"mediaKeyId","5385673-4d5150e7140da92ab0124fe20b580970","parentId",5385673,"title","Director reports: Assembly adopts KPB 21.18 revisions; first material-sites permit issued; clerk requests photos for planning commissioners","audioSeconds",522,"startMs",2786000,"endMs",3308000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385673-4d5150e7140da92ab0124fe20b580970&start=2786&end=3308","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385673-4d5150e7140da92ab0124fe20b580970/thumbnail_2786000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655586/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Director-reports-Assembly-adopts-KPB-2118-revisions-first-material-sites-permit-issued-clerk-requests-photos-for-planning-commissioners","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655586-676499ab4aeb8a43417bec72923bd2e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060859&Signature=eFVnfvilWrAKCEwJj9DkxsEYUn~YpOopyzu7a~l43E4b9ZC~4NpKxeXKup3fS5Ch6TNL3jiA6Cla2cm9QRrQPRYsP~mllOreuB83p28lXXduOM2ysXF~QrP5RQunm7j9WybdhCZkx2VkOnetq6j5I0PW2MwSs6YgfCPrzuDSMc3J6A3PEM7pY3uJht~ZTAOUEuuji-pgjn~BLIqUma1f3MYm9bbjZPFxc03qhaJKBoRa77~-~U47o~FSSoPrLQB~lvBU-NAJAxzj6~V-XR6RMxbpNXeuY8vuKUSd3lcOGPhjGTELnGWQRKdEY77ksRxYVZKL1M0uNc~~VlQA9TI2yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenai Peninsula Borough","date","2025-07-14T00:00:00Z","article","Director Ruffner told the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission on July 14 that the borough assembly unanimously adopted revisions to KPB 21.18, the borough code section governing the Habitat Protection District. The director said the revisions incorporate a formal definition of “water dependent,” clarify when fences are allowable and set a seasonal removal requirement for fence segments closest to water.

Ruffner summarized the key changes the assembly adopted at its July 8 meeting: the code now includes a definition of water dependent consistent with the commission’s prior guidance; fences adjacent to public property or easements are an allowable use; the 20 feet closest to the river must be seasonally removed for certain fences; anadromous lakes are exempt from the seasonal-removal requirement and also are treated differently under the code for other uses; and utilities are allowed but should, to the extent practical, be routed outside the 50-foot setback or cross perpendicular where feasible.

Ruffner said the code changes reflect edits the commission recommended and that they provide staff and the public clearer standards for evaluating applications filed under the Habitat Protection District rules. He told commissioners that when applications were filed before the code change, staff would evaluate those applications under the code in effect at the time of filing.

Material-sites permitting and website changes

Ruffner also reported that the planning department issued its first material-sites permit under the revised process. He thanked staff—specifically Miss Lopez and Ryan Ravey—for work on the permit process. No specific project names or financial details were provided in the meeting.

Ruffner relayed a request from the borough clerk (Miss Turner) to update the planning commission’s public web pages. The clerk asked commissioners to provide a simple head-and-shoulders photograph for their online profile so the website can distinguish decision-making members from other advisory or service-area participants. Ruffner said the clerk did not intend to publish personal email addresses for commissioners because of the commission’s quasi-judicial role; the request was limited to a photo, name and title.

Why it matters

The code revisions clarify how the borough will decide whether development or infrastructure in the 50-foot Habitat Protection District is water dependent and when fences or utilities are permissible. That affects future permit reviews for river- and lake-adjacent projects, including fences, bridges and culvert replacements. The material-sites permit and updated permit process indicate staff is beginning to implement recent code and procedural changes.

What was not decided

Ruffner emphasized that applications submitted before the code change will be evaluated under the old code; commissioners should continue to rely on the applicable rules at the time of application. He did not announce new material-sites projects or provide timelines for the web update and said the clerk will provide deadlines for photos separately.

Ending

Commissioners raised no substantive objections to the director’s report. The meeting proceeded to commissioner comments and adjournment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kenai Peninsula Borough - Planning Commission on 2025-07-14 7:30 PM - Zoom Meeting ID: 907 714 2200 - Jul 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the July 14 meeting the planning director reported that the borough assembly unanimously adopted revisions to KPB 21.18 (Habitat Protection District); staff issued the first material-sites permit under the revised process and the clerk asked commissioners to provide a headshot photo for the borough website.","taxTitle","Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska","taxId",27490,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655590,"Planning commission approves multiple easement and right-of-way vacations and three conditional-use permits; postpones one plat note removal",413,2277000,2690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385673-4d5150e7140da92ab0124fe20b580970&start=2277&end=2690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385673-4d5150e7140da92ab0124fe20b580970/thumbnail_2277000.jpg","/articles/6655590/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Planning-commission-approves-multiple-easement-and-right-of-way-vacations-and-three-conditional-use-permits-postpones-one-plat-note-removal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655590-12716f5e4bafb2c9f4fc034d5a76892f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060859&Signature=f5JTPAkWFLggBJD~55ZneSfUtCVHVzexx3Ea5nxHKvPcPJdUASC3Iuh0dIYSFsQ7jov9RtbuPbfRBlJ8s1vfQ0vJW~ZtK7mAZnUtSb~~9ra7HiVxHRxdI6yfzPc84V-S7c3rCYXW6haxuFpctW0KJvOfhokQrDY8Jke8IpGF~J5TBH~RHMJjverxEmWhuLZBbXDnLCn59BuRiF3IRiVt7kVe3F3k2aT6rRJIOQ~guA4vOB2EQwS~ebFZPFIsuw0ApRgP89nWyHKhqzBn5Gpdw3TRVoocpWjpaAxzQFHZuiy0pyMUTp5c2b1I6R59BGZsfoxmuxTRNhOzexpEXBHt5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission on July 14, 2025, approved four separate easement/right-of-way vacation requests, granted three conditional-use permits and voted to postpone a plat note removal so staff can gather more information.

The commission voted on eight formal items that required motions or resolutions. Most votes were unanimous. Several applicants or their representatives answered questions during public comment or presented brief clarifications to the commission before votes.

Votes at a glance

- Plat note removal — KPB file 2025-084: Motion to postpone until staff can gather more information. Outcome: postponed. (Motion recorded 07/14/2025; vote recorded at 00:05:57–00:06:36.)

- Utility easement vacation — KPB file 2025-074V (Paradise South Subdivision replat): Motion to grant the petitioned utility easement vacation adopting staff findings 1–9 and two staff conditions. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Staff noted the vacation would be finalized by the Paradise South Subdivision replat and that one note required by city code would remain on the plat. (Staff report summarized 00:07:23–00:09:51.)

- Right-of-way vacation — KTV file 2025-094V (Cliff addition to Seward Townsite, Walker replat): Motion to grant the vacation as petitioned, subject to four staff conditions; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Staff said the vacations are intended to allow adjacent lots to be combined and that the city of Seward had recommended the vacation. (Staff report summarized 00:11:48–00:15:27.)

- Right-of-way vacation — KV file 2025-097B (Herbert Way): Motion to grant the vacation as petitioned, subject to four staff conditions; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Staff noted the applicant will need to submit a final plat and include the vacated utility easement in the legal description. (Staff report summarized 00:17:23–00:20:40.)

- Right-of-way vacation — KPB file 2025-091B (Sixth Street, Kenai Meadows Addition No. 2): Chair Brantley recused from this item and temporarily passed the gavel to Commissioner Gillum. The commission approved the vacation as petitioned subject to staff conditions; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call among voting members). The petitioner on record was Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives (Dana Gregoire), which confirmed development activity will be along Redoubt Road frontage and not on the northern tract. (Item and public questions 00:23:20–00:31:10.)

- Conditional-use permit — PC Resolution 2025-11 (fence in 50-foot Habitat Protection District at Centennial Park, City of Soldotna): Staff recommended and the commission granted the conditional-use permit subject to conditions in the resolution. Morgan Aldridge (planner) explained the fence is intended to direct foot traffic away from restoration areas; the applicant (assistant parks director Miguel Randall) confirmed the parks department will install and maintain the fence. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Several commissioners discussed whether a recently adopted code change applied to this application; staff said the application must be judged under the code in effect when it was submitted. (Staff report and discussion 00:32:24–00:37:36.)

- Conditional-use permit — PC Resolution 2025-10 (two trail bridges for Snowmads across the Anchor River and an unnamed tributary): Staff described two bridge structures (two 40-foot sections across the Anchor River and one 40-foot section across a tributary; concrete abutments, wooden planks, rock fill) that meet ADF&G fish-passage requirements pending permits. A commissioner commended the Snowmads for trail stewardship. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). (Staff report 00:37:57–00:41:20.)

- Conditional-use permit — PC Resolution 2025-12 (Alaska Railroad/ADOT culvert replacement on Seward Highway): Staff described replacement of a 7-foot culvert with a 13-foot culvert, with riprap and streambed mix and approximately 4,300 cubic yards of fill above ordinary high water to address flooding concerns. Staff noted a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) comment received the morning of the meeting that the applicant may need DNR permits; staff forwarded that comment to the railroad. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). (Staff report 00:41:54–00:44:50.)

What commissioners and applicants said

Applicant Scott Brown, who proposed a right-of-way vacation affecting two lake-adjacent lots, said: “I own both properties that the easement runs through,” and explained he wants to consolidate the parcels and will work with adjoining property owners on the property formerly under easement. Dana Gregoire of Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives confirmed the Kenai Meadows No. 2 development would be along Redoubt Road frontage and that the organization does not own Tract A2, which remains with the city of Kenai.

Staff noted several vacations and plats will be finalized by subsequent plat filings and that city planning commissions in affected cities (Homer, Seward, Kenai) had reviewed or recommended approval of the associated plats in prior meetings.

Why it matters

Right-of-way and easement vacations change public access, utility corridors or future development patterns. Conditional-use permits inside the 50-foot Habitat Protection District (HPD) and culvert replacements can affect riverbank restoration, fish passage and flood risk; the commission noted compliance with state fish-passage rules where applicable and forwarded conditions intended to reduce ecological harm.

Meeting context and next steps

Several of the approved vacations require final plats to complete the vacations. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly or city councils may have consent or veto authority for vacation approvals depending on location; staff noted the Assembly will hear certain vacations at upcoming meetings (for example, the Assembly is scheduled to hear the Stedman Subdivision vacation on 08/05/2025). The postponed plat note removal (KPB file 2025-084) will return when staff submits further information.

Ending

The commission’s plat committee reported having reviewed and approved eight plats at its meeting. The Planning Commission adjourned after brief director and commissioner comments.","The Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission on July 14, 2025, voted to approve four vacations of easements or rights of way, granted three conditional-use permits and postponed a plat note removal until staff returns with additional information.","actionData","errors"]

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Director reports: Assembly adopts KPB 21.18 revisions; first material-sites permit issued; clerk requests photos for planning commissioners

Planning commission approves multiple easement and right-of-way vacations and three conditional-use permits; postpones one plat note removal