Neighbors raise drainage, tree concerns as P&Z advances disposal of US Survey 3465 parcels

The Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 20 recommended the disposal of portions of US Survey 3465 (preliminary plat dated Feb. 22, 2019) despite public testimony urging care for drainage and remaining timber. The commission voted unanimously to adopt Resolution FY2026-005 and the staff findings, forwarding the disposal recommendation to the borough assembly.

Why it matters: the disposal and subsequent subdivision could create new lots for housing in the Island Lake area. Neighbors said unmanaged drainage and clearing could worsen flooding and damage remaining stands of trees, concerns commissioners and staff acknowledged would need to be addressed before any final plat is recorded.

What residents said

Don Swanson, a nearby resident, told the commission he lives “right down 492 Shehafka at the end” and said the low-lying area bordering some of the proposed lots acts like a swamp. He urged the borough to plan for existing drainage patterns: “I would really, really…