Planning commission approves conditional use permit for Snow River bank stabilization

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission on Sept. 8, 2025, adopted Planning Commission Resolution 2025-20, granting a conditional use permit to place riprap along the Snow River beneath the railroad to stabilize an eroding bank, staff said.

Planner Morgan Aldridge reported the project was previously permitted by the borough in 2023 but was not completed before that permit expired. The current application requests placement of approximately 1,000 cubic yards of riprap within the 50-foot Habitat Protection District under the railroad line. Staff mailed notice to property owners within 300 feet and said no public comments were received. The Moose Pass Advisory Planning Commission reviewed the project on Sept. 4 and unanimously recommended approval; those minutes were included in the desk packet.

Staff found the proposal met the five general standards of KPB 21.18 and recommended approval subject to the conditions in Resolution 2025-20. A commissioner moved to adopt the resolution; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call: Commissioner Eppenheimer — yes; Commissioner Whitney — yes; Commissioner England — yes; Commissioner Vikes — yes; Commissioner Slaughter — yes; Commissioner Venuti — yes; Commissioner Brantley — yes.

The permit authorizes placement of the stated volume of riprap as described in the staff materials and the resolution; the transcript records the project description and the APC recommendation but does not include the full text of the resolution’s conditions.