Planning commission delays assisted‑living zoning amendment after limited outreach to local licensees

Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission members on Wednesday agreed by consensus to carry Case 25‑012 — a proposed amendment to Title 17 that would define "assisted living residences" and treat sites that house more than five people differently in the borough's zoning code — to the next work session so staff can solicit additional input from licensed providers.

The change under discussion would add a zoning distinction based on the number of residents: properties housing five or fewer people would be treated differently than facilities serving more than five. Development director Chris French Cooney told the commission the five‑person threshold was chosen to align with the borough's existing definition of a family and that he had discussed the proposal with the borough attorney and staff.

"This amendment is related to assisting assisted living residences, which is a state licensed use under, what is called an assisted living home. We use the term assisted living residences because it covers both facilities and assisted living homes," Chris French Cooney said, noting the ordinance uses the number of people housed to distinguish when a use becomes an "assisted living facility." He added that he had contacted local license holders and that two had responded but none attended the meeting.

Commissioners discussed whether current license holders typically operate with more than five residents. French Cooney said one licensee told staff that most locally licensed assisted living operations serve five people or fewer. Commissioners and staff agreed it would be useful to hear from the local providers before the commission takes the proposed ordinance to a public hearing.

By consensus — not a formal, recorded vote — the commission directed staff to place Case 25‑012 on the next work session agenda and to recontact licensees to encourage in‑person or telephonic participation. French Cooney said the assembly, not the commission, will ultimately adopt any ordinance changes to Title 17.

The amendment remains in the draft stage; staff flagged no immediate legal objection from the borough attorney but said the commission and the assembly must determine where conditional use permits will be required in single‑family and other residential zoning districts. The commission indicated it prefers to review additional input from local license holders before forwarding a recommendation to the regular meeting schedule for public hearing.

The commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for May 21; staff said they will attempt to arrange attendance or written comments from the borough's licensed assisted‑living providers before the hearing.