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Planning commission adopts code changes defining pet-related uses, forwards draft ordinance
Summary
The Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission on May 21 adopted Resolution FY2025-05 to add definitions and zoning allowances for pet boarding, pet services, animal shelters and veterinary clinics to Title 17; the measure passed 5-0 and a draft assembly ordinance was attached to the staff report.
The Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission on May 21, 2025, voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution FY2025-05, which amends Title 17 (Zoning) to define pet-related uses and specify the zoning districts where those uses are allowed. Chris French, the borough's community development director, presented the staff report and said a draft assembly ordinance (FY2026-63) was included with the packet.
The change responds to an email from Blueberry Hill Pet Hotel asking the borough to consider allowing dog kennels in the B (Business) district. French told the commission the item has been on the commission docket since October 16, 2024, and that staff and the commission reviewed draft amendments in multiple work sessions (Nov. 13, 2024; Dec. 11, 2024; Jan. 8, 2025; and March 12, 2025) before bringing the item to public hearing.
Under the adopted resolution, the code additions would add definitions for animal shelters, pet boarding facilities, pet services and veterinary clinics/animal hospitals. The staff report, summarized for the commission, states: pet boarding facilities would be listed as conditional uses in RR2, RR1, B (Business), R and C, and UNC districts; animal shelters would be permitted in Light Industrial and Public Use Land districts; pet services would be permitted in R2, R3, Business, R and C, and UNC districts; and veterinary clinics/animal hospitals would be permitted in the B (Business), UNC and R and C districts. The amendment also sets parking requirements for pet services and veterinary clinics and makes parking for pet boarding facilities subject to case-by-case determination in the conditional use permit review.
The resolution establishes specific conditional-use standards for pet boarding facilities that staff listed to the commission: facilities must be enclosed unless the commission approves otherwise as part of conditional-use review; standards address signs, fences, noise and animal waste; and the commission may waive or alter standards and add case-specific conditions during review. The staff report included the original email from Blueberry Hill Pet Hotel and a draft ordinance for assembly consideration.
No members of the public called in to comment during the public hearing, and the commission closed the hearing before discussion. Commissioner Tracy Craig, citing the item's long presence on the docket, urged a faster process: "I'd like to see us move faster," Craig said. After discussion, the commission called a roll and recorded unanimous approval: Dagan yes; Craig yes; Williamson yes; Cleary yes; Neff yes.
The resolution passed 5-0. The staff report and draft ordinance will accompany the item to the borough assembly for its consideration; the meeting record does not specify assembly dates or next procedural steps beyond the inclusion of the draft ordinance in the packet.
