[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6671647,"mediaKeyId","2156187-13652fc8e0a28c33d29488de5be0f81a","parentId",2156187,"title","Planning commission backs code change to appeals and affirms 2015 water-dependent definition","audioSeconds",1226,"startMs",1417000,"endMs",2643000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2156187-13652fc8e0a28c33d29488de5be0f81a&start=1417&end=2643","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2156187-13652fc8e0a28c33d29488de5be0f81a/thumbnail_1417000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671647/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Planning-commission-backs-code-change-to-appeals-and-affirms-2015-water-dependent-definition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671647-dfcaa56bf0ae9fb019ca676b24b5174c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152337&Signature=IR13ANYy1ZT10tRY6vUiDhjhzqlTS-XltDMSYgFdvSk544yROyoOvqdALCr0Is64P1BAwEnWTod7xuro7zR3vIpaQuWM6z3oX7-ZIE83ocDveH22BmlBXgHa~1OxZdYjr5VBxVonae5fE4nbdq7yF2Gi0JpPi-4s~HBPLih62OkLCThe3bvWEU-DRyjVKaPlTarr0SnjQ7~6vzJyi3dG6npkA0BGIbzCA7M-xonHYP7EPeLNrGce5cHMd4540QcIm~CKohkqFC2FGYZUmQ1zUCKEyZwmWcfEtQ71BcupZBIyG2DQswMCyndBWJ0CGBU2PL3R01oau~uU6mF62kpJvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenai Peninsula Borough","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","On Jan. 27, 2025, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward ordinance 2025-3 to the borough assembly. The ordinance would amend KPB Chapter 21.20 (hearings and appeals to a hearing officer) to add a standalone standing criterion, establish an appeals process from planning staff and the planning director to the commission, allow administrative consolidation of appeals by the borough clerk, require an appellant to pay the transcript fee, change briefing order so the appellant files an initial brief and final reply, permit dismissal of deficient appeals, and extend the hearing officer decision timeline from 15 to 45 days.

Walker Steinhaga, deputy borough attorney, told the commission there are six main features to the proposed code amendment: a new section clarifying standing (proposed section 21.22.25), an appellate path from certain staff decisions to the planning commission, an appellant-borne record transcription fee, authority for the hearing officer to dismiss appeals lacking standing or sufficient grounds, administrative consolidation of related appeals, and a change to briefing procedures with more time for written decisions (increase to 45 days). Steinhaga said the change would also make planning commissioners the hearing officer for certain appeals from staff and director decisions.

Steinhaga emphasized that quasi-judicial conditional use permits (CUPs) must be decided on the record and that applicants bear the burden of production and proof. He recommended the commission continue to use a prior planning-commission resolution passed in 2015 (Resolution 2015-35) that defines the term \"water dependent\" for CUPs and similar matters until superseded by another resolution or a code change. He read the resolution’s definition: a water-dependent use is a use or structure located on, in, or adjacent to water areas because the use requires access to the water body and is intrinsic to its operation; examples include piers, boat ramps and elevated walkways.

Commissioners asked about training and resources if the commission assumes hearing-officer duties. Steinhaga and staff said legal counsel (internal or outside) would be available to advise commissioners and that training would be provided.

A motion to forward the ordinance to the assembly carried unanimously. The commission’s recommendation sends the proposed code changes and the standing-definition clarification to the assembly for consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kenai Peninsula Borough - Planning Commission on 2025-01-27 7:30 PM - Zoom Meeting ID: 907 714 2200 - Jan 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission unanimously recommended adoption of ordinance 2025-3 to amend KPB code on hearings and appeals, adding standing criteria, modifying briefing and consolidation procedures, increasing decision time limits, and directing use of a 2015 planning-commission resolution defining 'water dependent.'","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},6671651,"Commission backs clearing title cloud on Kenai parcel, forwards ordinance to assembly",385,1016000,1401000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2156187-13652fc8e0a28c33d29488de5be0f81a&start=1016&end=1401","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2156187-13652fc8e0a28c33d29488de5be0f81a/thumbnail_1016000.jpg","/articles/6671651/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Commission-backs-clearing-title-cloud-on-Kenai-parcel-forwards-ordinance-to-assembly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671651-b3625013f2bbf1587222d07e36e7ec50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152337&Signature=VtsSlOf48l66RoRm2rVLal67g~vizYmGK1XTTVhWnq62grAfDlWOQYfbFR~5eDxpCwUcs3DnH4hO1-59ZY746~xrMZddYnpIKYBYHuyvQdZf6Z3HM7NRQ3kbxlungwEA0mpAe5Gz~9bOt~QMPOivbfzmUfPQh1QvDICvLUL9Ww-Q0-ba-cvRysyRmszjzQxMxldhc0YqZdXjUbunn537ikcr8-qnA3S2Hckjp9djPtLVi~t7oRiDGm4PGA24RT7iJCHDzfWSCoFHmuNB9myNsZXoboO57qDR-J7mW8X8Ga5NBGsrwKKeCIvce3PnHxx9BzEPBha12XYkyGj-ilpi8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Jan. 27, 2025, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission voted to forward ordinance 2025-2 to the borough assembly recommending action to resolve title matters on a parcel in Kenai that was affected by an erroneous tax statement issued in 1970.

Aaron Hughes, land management officer, summarized the history: a 1970 tax statement was issued in error on property that belonged to the U.S. Department of the Interior; the Department of the Interior did not pay the assessed taxes, the borough foreclosed through court action and received a tax deed in 1972, and the borough then sold the property at a tax-foreclosure sale in 1977. According to Hughes, the erroneous recording of the 1977 tax-foreclosure deed created a cloud on title that the borough and state have worked for decades to resolve.

Hughes said the State of Alaska ultimately selected the parcel from the Department of Interior and obtained a patent to the property. The state is prepared to grant a patent to the borough contingent upon the borough being willing to convey the property to the current owner by merging title and clearing the title cloud. If the assembly authorizes the action, the borough intends to issue a quitclaim deed to the current property owner, identified in the staff report as Mary Stroman.

Commissioners asked why a tax deed had been generated on property in the federal estate. Hughes and other staff explained the process: delinquent taxes prompt a court foreclosure action, and upon judgment the borough requests a clerk’s deed. Staff acknowledged the error in this older case and said current practice includes requesting title reports and routing acquisitions through legal, finance and land management review to catch such problems in the future.

A commissioner asked whether staff had searched for other properties with similar issues. Hughes said most borough properties are acquired through municipal selections and that staff will review properties before a patent is conveyed to prevent recurrence. The commission made no substantive changes and unanimously forwarded the ordinance to the assembly.

The forward sends the matter to the assembly, which must act to resolve the patent and allow the borough to convey title to the current owner.","The planning commission voted Jan. 27 to forward an ordinance authorizing the borough to resolve a decades-old title issue on a Kenai property that originated with an erroneous 1970 tax statement and subsequent foreclosure and sale.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671656,"Planning commission forwards Seward Blueberry Hill purchase, seeks road-feasibility study",243,756000,999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2156187-13652fc8e0a28c33d29488de5be0f81a&start=756&end=999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2156187-13652fc8e0a28c33d29488de5be0f81a/thumbnail_756000.jpg","/articles/6671656/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Planning-commission-forwards-Seward-Blueberry-Hill-purchase-seeks-road-feasibility-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671656-5b2754273e83820ef8817e3c9b6f6362/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152337&Signature=hD1VkDoyohJaYrdkhXL8B7EZvHnHxqTBB0DerskAaZc9SDS~qPVB0b9yT7pfcGpkO9yLYefMBxv5wI1wEEjEtkghrM~oxztLazdMAm6Fw00WvHUwcZj6k5ZmaJIbu~MPsbEG0nR1p0PPA0KXvQ9zQyxyyVEAfFkXYTQ2DFssoVl5iGKu1IVzzRDgAXbjhppX7FVdbJyIhpUMusWg0vVDDgC-vv6nanh8mJXatSu2lAWIkJHtinnZfWPwL13G5ELLCO9ab3WRxrLx2YGGy2nGSHlvcUxC0fss-38KR1dwBbI8smRGTa2SX1lcnz52n11lczlVymE7-LAPVs8vTB-J9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Jan. 27, 2025, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward ordinance 2024-19-24 to the borough assembly recommending the acquisition of 80 acres in the Blueberry Hill area of Seward and to authorize the mayor to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority for a road access feasibility study.

The staff report, delivered by Aaron Hughes, land management officer, said the purchase would be funded from the Land Trust Investment Fund and that the borough would direct an additional $50,000 from the Land Trust Fund for due diligence and the feasibility study. Hughes told the commission the proposed study would include the subject property, adjacent borough-managed lands and a 195-acre tract immediately south of the subject property owned by the Mental Health Trust.

Hughes said the study’s goal is to determine the potential for developed road access to the top of Blueberry Hill. He told commissioners that access to roughly 2,300 acres of borough land in the area is currently limited to some section-line easements and a small parcel that abuts Veil Street off Bridal Road. Hughes said the acquisition could “dramatically increase the value of the adjacent borough land holdings through additional means of legal access and secure future options for residents of the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Greater Seward area in planning for future growth and land use needs.” He also noted the packet included a letter of support from the City of Seward.

There was no public testimony on the item. A commissioner moved to forward a recommendation to adopt the ordinance, including appropriation of funds from the Land Trust Investment Fund and authorization for the mayor to enter the memorandum of agreement; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

The staff report identified a purchase price in the meeting transcript as “$120,000,0.0” (the transcript formatting is unclear) and specified an additional $50,000 for the feasibility study. The commission did not modify the funding sources or attach conditions when forwarding the ordinance.

The forward action sends the ordinance and the proposed memorandum of agreement to the borough assembly for final action. If the assembly approves the purchase and the MOA with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the borough intends to proceed with the feasibility study to assess road access options for Blueberry Hill and adjacent borough lands.","The Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission voted Jan. 27 to forward an ordinance to the assembly recommending acquisition of 80 acres on Blueberry Hill in Seward and authorizing a memorandum of agreement with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to share costs for a road feasibility study.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission backs code change to appeals and affirms 2015 water-dependent definition

Commission backs clearing title cloud on Kenai parcel, forwards ordinance to assembly

Planning commission forwards Seward Blueberry Hill purchase, seeks road-feasibility study