Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning approves land disposals, bylaws changes and daycare finding; delays CIP list

The Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 20, 2025, in Assembly Chambers voted to forward several land-disposal recommendations and adopt changes to the commission bylaws, and it approved a similar-use determination to allow daycare services at the former North Star Elementary School. The commission postponed consideration of the FY2026 capital improvement project list until its Sept. 17 regular meeting.

The actions were unanimous on roll-call votes. Commissioners voting “yes” were Commissioner Miss Frazier, Commissioner Mister Neff, Commissioner Mister Dagan, Commissioner Miss Craig and Commissioner Miss Williamson. Chair Sarah opened and closed the public hearings and presided over the votes.

Why it matters: the adopted land-disposal recommendations move parcels the borough says are surplus toward sale or future sale, a step that can lead to new housing or private development. The similar-use finding for a daycare could expand child-care capacity in the area by reusing an existing school building. Postponing the capital improvement project (CIP) list delays the commission’s final recommendation to the assembly until commissioners can discuss the draft further at a work session.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution FY2026-002 (Capital improvement projects list): Motion to postpone consideration to the Sept. 17 regular meeting. Motion to amend and postpone passed on roll call; motion as amended passed. Outcome: postponed to Sept. 17, 2025 (roll-call vote recorded as unanimous). The staff report noted the item must reach the assembly within a 90-day window to meet calendar-year deadlines.

- Resolution FY2026-003 (Case 25-010; foreclosed properties, Tract E, Shearwater Bay ASLS 87-43, and Aleutian Block 3 Lot 15 / 214 Maple Street, property ID 19397): Motion to adopt the resolution and approve the findings of fact in the staff report. Outcome: adopted; commission moved a positive recommendation to the assembly to proceed with disposal (roll-call vote unanimous).

- Resolution FY2026-004 (Case 25-013; similar-use determination for daycare at North Star Elementary School): Staff recommended that daycare be determined similar in character and impact to a school under the Kodiak Island Borough Code (KIBC) and therefore allowable in the PL, public land, district. Outcome: commission adopted the similar-use determination with no conditions recommended (roll-call vote unanimous).

- Resolution FY2026-005 (Case: US Survey 3465, Lot 1A-4; preliminary plat / land disposal): Motion to adopt the resolution and the findings of fact in the staff report, forwarding the disposal recommendation to the assembly. Outcome: adopted; vote unanimous. Staff and commissioners noted future subdivision review will address infrastructure and drainage requirements.

- Bylaws revision (Case 26-002): Motion to adopt proposed amendments to the Planning and Zoning Commission bylaws, updating quorum and voting rules for quasi-judicial matters, use of executive sessions, work-session review, electronic participation and commissioner training. Outcome: adopted (roll-call vote unanimous).

What commissioners and staff said

Bronwyn, a planning staff member, told the commission that if the CIP resolution is postponed one month the commission still can meet the assembly’s 90-day timing if they forward it in September; she supplied an alternate motion in the packet for postponement. Community Development Director Chris French presented staff reports for the disposal and subdivision items and cited relevant Kodiak Island Borough Code sections and prior assembly direction.

For the similar-use determination, staff said a daycare would be comparable to a school in character and intensity and therefore permissible under the PL district; Sima Garoot, the borough assessor, told the commission the assembly received the proposal and that the change could permit placements for about 40 more children.

What’s next

Adopted recommendations for land disposal will go to the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly for final action. The postponed CIP list is scheduled for the commission’s Sept. 17 meeting. The commission’s next work session is Sept. 10, 2025; the next regular meeting is Sept. 17, 2025, both at 6:30 p.m. in Assembly Chambers.

Ending note

All formal votes taken at the Aug. 20 meeting were recorded on roll call; the commission recorded unanimous support for the items it advanced to the assembly and for the bylaws and similar-use determinations.