The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly reviewed a borough-owned parcel map Thursday and discussed prioritizing land disposals to expand housing supply, with members urging focus on small, quickly developable lots in served areas.

The discussion matters because borough-owned land could provide a faster route to buildable lots and expand local affordable housing, but many borough parcels lack roads, sewer and water and require multi-year infrastructure work.

Borough Manager Amy Williams presented an interactive parcel map and noted multiple parcels slated for committee review, including tracts near Beaver Lake Drive, Salif Lane and Island Lake. Mayor (addressing the meeting) described the Beaver Lake tracts as potentially able to produce “about eight lots” and another parcel that could support “about four lots,” and he also noted a larger parcel that could yield 20 units if used for multifamily housing.

Assembly members emphasized favoring near-term solutions. Assembly member Beau said he wants parcels that can be built on “within the next 2 to 4 years” and highlighted Beaver Lake Loop, Von Sheely and Killarney Hills as centrally located sites with potential. Assembly member Jared asked staff for a “heat map” showing parcels with higher near-term development potential so the assembly can identify low‑hanging fruit.

Members also pushed for policy tools to prevent land speculation: proposals discussed included development covenants that require timely building, bidder preference in first rounds for local individuals, sunset clauses on re-sell rights, and temporary tax deferrals until construction begins. Assembly member Dave urged a buy-back clause so the borough can reacquire lots if buyers fail to develop them.

Staff cautioned that many borough parcels are not immediately served. The mayor said property such as the Killarney Hills site lacks sewer and water tie-ins and would require separate sewer lines to the treatment plant. Williams and staff said the lands committee will meet Oct. 13 to review a subset of parcels and recommended the assembly identify which parcels to prioritize and whether to pursue incentives and staged development.

What happens next: the lands committee meeting scheduled Oct. 13 will consider the parcels staff flagged; assembly members asked staff to prepare a development-potential ranking and to outline incentive options that would encourage quick construction rather than speculation.