At its Oct. 22 meeting, the Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission approved two preliminary-plat actions and several administrative items.

Preliminary plats and easement vacation: the commission voted to recommend approval of resolution PZ2025-31, a preliminary-plat application to vacate a 20-foot pedestrian easement and a utility easement along the northern boundary of Lot 48 in the Shoreline Heights 2023 addition. Staff told the commission that dedication of Pay Drive severed the eastern portion of the pedestrian easement, making the eastern segment unnecessary; Lot 48 is approximately 24,437 square feet (above the rural-residential minimum of 20,000 square feet). Staff noted city water is available along Pay Drive but city sewer is not; the property owner will be required to use a private on-site septic system meeting State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation rules. Staff recommended approval subject to the Kenai City Council declaring the easement not needed for a public purpose and approving the vacation. The commission’s roll call returned six “yes” votes and the recommendation passed.

The commission also voted to recommend approval of resolution PZ2025-32, a preliminary replat to merge Lot 19 and Lot 20 in the Shoreline Heights 2014 addition into a single approximately 1.919-acre parcel (about 83,592 square feet). Staff reported Lot 20 contains an existing single-family dwelling with water service; Lot 19 is vacant. City water is available on Pay Drive; city sewer is not. Staff said the replat met subdivision design standards and development requirements for the rural residential zoning district and recommended forwarding the replat to the borough and city council for final action. The commission approved the recommendation by unanimous consent.

Meeting schedule and work session: the commission amended its year-end calendar. After discussion, members voted to cancel the Nov. 26 and Dec. 24 regular meetings and to schedule a work session for 6 p.m. on Nov. 12 to begin discussion on tent camping and related code issues. Commissioners agreed staff would cancel the work session if there was insufficient noticed business; staff said the work session could be rescheduled the same evening if public-notice requirements were met.

Community Development Block Grant (informational): staff updated the commission on a City Council authorization to participate in a Community Development Block Grant solicitation to extend water and sewer to the proposed KPHI developments along Sixth Street. Director Buettner said the municipality must be the applicant for the grant; KPHI is pursuing the project and could request up to $850,000. The commission received the information; no formal commission action was required.

Votes at a glance:
- Resolution PZ2025-31 (Shoreline Heights 2025 vacation — vacate 20-foot pedestrian easement on Lot 48): recommended to borough/city council, approved by commission (6-0).
- Resolution PZ2025-32 (Shoreline Heights 2025 replat — merge Lots 19 and 20 into Lot 20A): recommended to borough/city council, approved by commission (unanimous consent).
- Calendar amendment: cancel Nov. 26 and Dec. 24 meetings; schedule Nov. 12 work session at 6 p.m.: approved by unanimous consent.

All forwarded recommendations and informational items will proceed through the borough and city council processes or to staff follow-up as appropriate.