The Kenai Peninsula Borough Rural Plat Committee voted Oct. 13 to grant preliminary approval to Crane France Edition No. 1 (KPV file 2025-145), a proposal to subdivide a 65.786‑acre parent parcel into 16 lots ranging from about 1.445 to 2.472 acres and one tract of 30.177 acres, and to approve exception requests to borough requirements for cul‑de‑sac length and block length.

The plat staff report said the site’s legal access is Forest Lane to the north, a state‑maintained 100‑foot dedication that connects to the Sterling Highway near MP 89.7. The staff report noted an existing private airstrip crossing the plat boundary and that the west side of Block 2 along Arrow Way Avenue contains a block length of roughly 1,420 feet—about 420 feet longer than the borough’s indicated 1,000‑foot cul‑de‑sac/block limit cited in the exception request. Staff recommended preliminary approval subject to compliance with KPB code and recommended the committee vote separately on the exception request and place any granted exception on the final plat as a note.

The committee granted the exception request to KBB 20.30.100 (cul‑de‑sacs) and KBB 20.30.170 (block length) after finding the stated findings supported the applicable standards. The committee then approved preliminary plat approval, adopting and incorporating by reference the staff report and conditions. The roll calls on both the exception and the preliminary approval recorded all five voting commissioners as “yes”: Commissioner England, Commissioner Morgan, Commissioner Venuti, Commissioner Whitney and Commissioner Gillum.

Adjacent resident Dan Musgrove testified in public comment that he lives on an adjoining property and raised traffic and emergency access concerns, citing a single ingress/egress route, sinkholes in the state‑maintained roadway, and potential fire response limitations. Musgrove said he had contacted state and borough road staff and asked whether existing roads could handle additional traffic from 16 new lots. “This area has one way in and one way out,” Musgrove said, noting worry about road degradation and emergency access.

Director Robert Ruffner responded to Musgrove’s concerns, describing the borough’s limited authorities under its classification and noting that broader changes — such as requiring subdividers to construct roads or utilities before platting — are policy decisions for the borough assembly, not the plat committee. Ruffner said the committee’s role is quasi‑judicial: to determine whether a proposal complies with existing code. He also said that if work in a borough right‑of‑way results in trespass or trees being felled onto private property, code enforcement and, if necessary, law enforcement would be avenues to address those issues.

Staff also noted DOT comments requesting additional information on development of Tract A1 and advised the owner or surveyor to coordinate with the borough transportation planner and DOT on driveway and right‑of‑way permits. The staff report recommended adding plat notes reflecting any exceptions granted by the committee with the meeting date, and the committee’s approval was made subject to the standard staff conditions.

The committee’s approvals mean the applicant may proceed to satisfy the written conditions, submit required DOT/transportation information for Tract A1, and record a final plat that documents any exceptions granted. The committee’s vote was unanimous among the five participating commissioners.

Ending: The applicant must provide any additional DOT/transportation documentation requested for Tract A1, and any exception granted will be noted on the final plat with the committee meeting date. The committee record shows follow‑up coordination with the borough transportation planner and state DOT will be required prior to final plat approval.