Skagway planning commission backs draft to allow temporary RV housing north of bridge with utility, septic and safety conditions

SKAGWAY, Alaska — At a Jan. 28 work session, the Skagway Planning and Zoning Commission discussed drafting changes to a temporary resolution that would allow seasonal habitation of recreational vehicles (RVs) north of the Skagway River bridge on lots of at least 40,000 square feet.

The commission said it will ask municipal staff to draft language that would allow up to eight RVs on a qualifying 40,000-square-foot lot, contingent on engineering verification that an existing septic system can accept the additional load, and on a potable-water solution for the site. The panel agreed the draft should also include spacing and setback requirements, occupancy limits tied to manufacturer ratings, and explicit fire-mitigation measures.

Tom Hall, a property owner who applied for permits, told the commission he already has four RVs on his site and asked the panel to allow more units north of the bridge. "I don't want an RV park. That's not my intent here," Hall said, describing the units as housing for employees. He later said he has 4,000 gallons of on-site water storage and had consulted an engineer and DEC about his septic…