Kenai commission recommends approval of Kenai Meadows preliminary plat after deed update

The Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval Wednesday of a preliminary plat to subdivide Tract A-1 of Kenai Meadows Addition No. 1 and replat Lots 3 and 4 to create three new lots and reconfigured lots behind Redoubt Avenue.

The commission voted to adopt Resolution PZ 2025-19 with several conditions after staff described the proposal and recent property conveyance. Planning staff said the city conditionally donated approximately 5.2 acres from Tract A-1 and that the city signed a quitclaim deed on May 13, 2025, conveying Lot 3 to Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative, Inc. “We filed a quitclaim deed on Tuesday, yesterday, because they have to be the owner of both lots before they could replat it,” staff said during the presentation.

Staff found the preliminary plat met the general standards in Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 14 for subdivision and development. Conditions tied to approval included: conformity with all applicable federal, state and local regulations; execution of an installation agreement with the City of Kenai before final plat recording; a City Council action declaring an existing 60-foot right-of-way for Sixth Street “not needed for a public purpose” and approving vacation of that right-of-way as shown on the plat; assigning the name Sixth Street to a relocated 60-foot right-of-way between Lots 3A and 4A subject to council resolution; and assigning the name State Avenue to the 60-foot right-of-way north of the newly formed Lots 5, 6 and 7, subject to City Council naming resolution.

Commissioner Reveal moved an amendment to the resolution adding a new Whereas noting the city signed a quitclaim deed on May 13, 2025, and removing a phrasing reference to “and Lot 3.” The commission approved the amendment by unanimous consent, then opened the item for public testimony. No members of the public spoke on the plat during the meeting.

After discussion about lot configuration and access, commissioners voted to recommend approval. Commissioners Krauss, Reveal, Vice Chair Ersley, Commissioner Fikes and Commissioner Woodard recorded “yes” votes and the motion passed.

The final plat will have to satisfy the listed conditions and return to the city for recording after the developer completes the installation agreement and other requirements. The city indicated it will retain ownership of the new lots until Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative secures additional grant funding that would allow transfer of ownership.

The commission’s recommendation advances the subdivision to the Kenai City Council for final action and for the required right-of-way and street-naming resolutions.