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Kenai Peninsula Borough approves $2.1 million purchase of four Homer parcels to protect hospital slope
Summary
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved purchase of four properties in Homer for $2.1 million, citing slope stabilization behind South Peninsula Hospital as the primary purpose; public testimony raised landslide and future-development concerns.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly voted on Aug. 5 to authorize the acquisition of four properties in Homer for a total of $2,100,000 to be paid from the South Peninsula Hospital plant replacement fund.
Assembly members and the mayor said the primary purpose of the purchase is to protect the hospital from slope instability behind its building. Mayor Michicky told the assembly: “We're purchasing it to keep someone else from destabilizing.”
The purchase drew public comment from Homer resident and geologist Charles Barnwell, who said one parcel (parcel ID 17504022) sits on a steep bluff directly behind the hospital and appears in state mapping of landslide-prone bluffs. “If you dig into that slope or if you develop it, if you remove vegetation, if you disturb the soils, that's going to lead to oversaturation of the soils in the bedrock underneath, which could potentially lead to a landslide,” Barnwell said during public testimony.
Assembly discussion acknowledged Barnwell's concerns. Chair Tunseth and other members said the borough and hospital leadership intend the purchase primarily for stabilization, not development. Assemblymember Don noted a prior 1999 landslide near the hospital and said any future development would require due diligence and review.
The mayor and members also referenced language from a South Peninsula Hospital operating board recommendation that mentioned possible additional parking by the emergency room; several assembly members said that language prompted public concern but reiterated the borough's stated acquisition purpose is slope protection.
The ordinance to acquire the four properties was moved and enacted by unanimous consent; no roll-call vote was taken on the floor. The assembly excerpted the purchase as part of the finance committee report earlier in the meeting and then voted to enact the ordinance during the public hearing and enactment portion of the agenda.
Clarifying details recorded in the meeting include a total purchase price of $2,100,000, payment from the South Peninsula Hospital plant replacement fund, and identification of one parcel of particular concern (parcel ID 17504022). Barnwell provided maps and state geological survey graphics showing bluff areas in red and identified the hospital location relative to the slope.
The assembly did not set any specific future development plan for the parcels; members said any later use beyond stabilization would be subject to further review and regulatory requirements, including geotechnical and hydrologic studies and any city approvals required by Homer.
