Committee introduces ordinance to auction 30 borough parcels; public hearing set for June 17

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Lands Committee on June 3, 2025, heard an introduction of Ordinance 2025‑10, which would authorize a general land‑sale auction for 30 borough parcels and set minimum reserves at about $2,800,000.

Aaron Hughes, the borough management officer, described the proposal as an ordinance "authorizing the 2025 general land sale auction" and said the auction is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 9 at the So High Auditorium and will be a live outcry sale with an online simulcast. Hughes said the reserve totals were established after consultation with the borough assessing department. Five of the 30 parcels are identified as eligible for the borough's Land Affordability Program (LAP); those are located in Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Funny River and Anchor Point.

Hughes reported that the borough sent courtesy notice May 15 to borough departments, school districts, service areas and city and state entities; as of the committee meeting the borough had received one formal comment from the Alaska Office of History and Archaeology concerning parcels in Cooper Landing and additional public comment on two parcels in Homer.

Assembly members raised several substantive concerns during the introduction. Assembly member Cooper asked about the Cooper Landing parcels and their status within the Squirrel Avenue Archaeological District; Hughes said one parcel sits in that district and that any future owner would need to follow archaeological discovery procedures if artifacts or remains are encountered. Assembly member Cooper also asked about flooding and peatland constraints for two parcels on Kachemak Drive in Homer; Hughes and other committee members described likely site work (material removal and fill) as the responsibility of a purchaser and noted recent conversations with the City of Homer about conservation interest in some parcels.

Assembly member Dunne and others described ongoing coordination among the city of Homer, the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust and other local conservation groups on the so‑called "Kachemak Sponge"/peatlands project; Hughes said some borough parcels that are critical to that broader conservation/green‑infrastructure work remain outside the sale or are the subject of separate consideration. Hughes said agency review and planning commission action are scheduled: several advisory planning commissions will hear the ordinance later in the week and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission is scheduled to review it on June 9.

Hughes confirmed the packet will include disclosures for parcels with archaeological or historical concerns. He specified that Parcel 11907106 will include disclosures noting its location within the Squirrel Avenue Archaeological District; parcel 11911019 is not in the district and will not carry that disclosure. Parcel 11915007 received attention because of proximity to a historic homestead and prior trespass for a well; Hughes said the packet will disclose the prior use and relinquished rights.

The item was introduced at the June 3 Lands Committee meeting; a public hearing on Ordinance 2025‑10 is scheduled for June 17, 2025. No final legislative action on the ordinance was recorded at the June 3 committee introduction.