The Skagway Municipality Planning and Zoning Commission on June 12 approved the first reading of replat application 2025037, allowing von Debt Development LLC, on behalf of property owner Jay Burnham, to combine Block 119, Lots 11 and 12 in the Skagway Town Site so a proposed building can meet municipal parking requirements.

The replat would not itself authorize construction; it would change lot lines to allow the shop and five apartments to meet off-street parking standards, commission members said. The commission approved the first reading by a 4-0 roll call vote and directed that the application proceed to subsequent permitting steps.

Commissioners and members present reviewed the application materials and heard from the applicant, Brett Hutchinson, who described the proposal and the reason for the replat: “Sure. It's pretty straightforward. We, have plans to build a shop and 5 apartments, and it'll be located on 1 of the lots. But the size of the building requires parking. That's not enough on the single lot, so we'd like to put them together so that we can meet the parking requirements for the shop and the apartments by combining the 2 lots.”

During discussion, Assembly member Claudia asked whether the undeveloped lot had been designated contaminated and if remediation had occurred. Hutchinson said they are working with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and a real estate attorney on a pre-purchase agreement, and that the agency had indicated “it's likely that we'll be approved, to dig for utilities as well as to go at least 2 feet for placing a foundation,” provided they comply with covenants the state will require. Hutchinson said the pre-purchase agreement is expected to be completed before building begins, “hopefully, later this year.”

Commissioners reiterated that this first-reading approval is only for the replat; any building permit or site work will require separate permit approvals and compliance with any state DEC covenants or remediation conditions.

The commission took a roll call after discussion; the chair announced the motion passed with four yes votes. The applicant and property owner may now pursue final plat approval and subsequent building permits.

Staff and commissioners did not identify additional conditions on the replat at the June 12 meeting; any state-required remediation covenants and the borough permitting process were described as separate steps that must be satisfied before construction.